After 20 years in education and 15 years in admissions in the Bay Area, I know how this process works and how challenging it can be for busy families.

After several years at emerging independent schools in the area, I most recently served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Menlo School in Atherton, one of the most competitive for admission. I’ve read thousands of applications and chaired over one hundred admissions committees.

In all that time, what I loved most was working with families. Demystifying the process, sharing my knowledge, and giving people the clarity and confidence they needed to move forward has been my passion. In 2026, I decided to stop saving that work for the margins of the job and make it my focus.

With Ursa Major Education Advisors, the goal is to make sure every student and parent feels informed, prepared, and supported throughout the process.

I was born and raised in Berkeley, California, have an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco. I am an Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association