Top Tier Admissions provides families with a personalized strategy to gain a competitive edge for elite college admissions.
Management Team
Dr. Michele Hernández
CoFounder/Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
- Featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The Today Show.
- Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Dartmouth College and academic dean at a private high school.
- Author of multiple best-selling college admissions books, including A is for Admission.
Mimi Doe
CoFounder/Chairman
- Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University.
- Award-winning author of 10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting and Don’t Worry You’ll Get In! with Michele.
- Featured on Oprah, CBS Early Show, and USA Today.
Dr. Elizabeth Doe Stone
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Over a decade of leadership in the college admissions industry. Experienced educator, published author, and thought leader.
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude with high honors from Dartmouth College.
- M.A. and PhD in Art History at the University of Virginia; Fulbright Research Grant recipient.
- Contributing Writer for Forbes, where she shares insights on the evolving landscape of college admissions, helping families approach the process with clarity, calm, and intention.
Melissa Powell
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance.
- Certified Public Accountant, and member of the American Institute of CPAs.
- Former Senior Manager at Ernst & Young; specializes in financial strategy.
- TTA Counseling Team
Deanna Proto
Director of Operations & Application Boot Camp®
- Brings 20+ years of leadership experience across operations, education management, and project management, with a strong track record of driving efficiency and results.
- Manages day-to-day operations for Top Tier Admissions and Application Boot Camp®, ensuring seamless execution, strategic alignment, and exceptional client experience.
- Plays a key role in streamlining internal systems and collaborating with marketing to ensure cohesive messaging and a seamless experience for families.
Brian Feldman
Director of Counseling Operations
- Over 15 years with Top Tier Admissions, with a strong track record of Ivy League and other highly selective acceptances.
- Leads strategic and operational initiatives across TTA’s counseling team.
- Cross-sector experience in tech, education consulting, public policy, and organizational strategy.
- Harvard Kennedy School MPP graduate; BA in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and Classics from Washington University in St. Louis, Phi Beta Kappa
Emily Coleman
Director of Marketing
- Brings extensive experience in strategic marketing and brand storytelling, helping families clearly understand Top Tier Admissions’ approach, values, and results.
- Leads marketing for Top Tier Admissions, shaping how the firm communicates with students and families across digital content, events, and educational resources.
- Previously worked at a leading private wealth management firm, partnering closely with senior advisors and leadership to shape strategy, positioning, and how complex services were communicated to families
Sam Joustra
Head of Student and Family Programming
- Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University
- Former admissions officer at the University of Michigan
- Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt University
- Nationally recognized college admissions thought partner and presenter at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Annual Conference
- Author of A Guide to Finding the Best-Fit College for Jewish Students
- Leads Top Tier Admissions’ annual Application Boot Camp®
TTA Counseling Team
Dr. Kristen Willmott
Senior Private Counselor & Graduate School Admissions Director
- Former Admissions and Financial Aid Officer at Harvard University with over 20 years of experience working in higher education.
- PhD in Education with a concentration in Higher Ed; M.S. in Business Management and B.A. in English.
- Published author and researcher featured in U.S. News & World Report and Business Insider.
- Senior Private Counselor with Top Tier Admissions since 2012.
Dr. Eliza Fox
Senior Private Counselor
- B.A. in English with Honors from Stanford University.
- PhD in English Literature from the University of Virginia; former university instructor.
- Award-winning educator and published writer in academic journals and major newspapers.
- Proven track record of success in elite college admissions since 2017, helping students gain acceptance to Ivy League and top-tier universities.
- Senior Private Counselor with Top Tier Admissions since 2018.
Maria Laskaris
Senior Private Counselor
- Former Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College.
- 25+ years of admissions experience; evaluated tens of thousands of applications.
- Former Board Member of the Common Application.
- Senior Private Counselor with Top Tier Admissions since 2017.
Anita Doar
Senior Private Counselor
- Nearly 20 years mentoring students; former private school teacher and coach.
- B.A. in Philosophy from Princeton (NCAA National Champion in Lacrosse); M.A. from Middlebury.
- Princeton alumni class officer and former interviewer.
- Extensive experience guiding students into undergraduate and graduate programs at all eight Ivies plus Stanford and UChicago.
Heidi Steinmetz Lovette
Senior Private Counselor
- Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Cornell University.
- 15-year career in publishing and communications; former Science Editor at Cornell Press.
- B.A. from Dartmouth in Classical Archaeology and Comparative Literature.
Dr. Tina Brooks
Senior Private Counselor
- Former Associate Dean of Admissions and transfer coordinator at Pomona College.
- PhD in American Literature from the University of California, Berkeley; former university professor.
- Experienced mentor for high school students and former interviewer for the Gates Scholarship and Davidson Institute for Talent Development.
Shannon Kennedy
Senior Private Counselor
- 25+ years of experience in college admissions, guiding students to the Ivy League, Stanford, and MIT.
- Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Northwestern University.
- Held leadership roles at University of Illinois at Chicago and Chicago Waldorf School.
- Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Northwestern; Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.
Julia Spaht
Senior Private Counselor
- Veteran teacher, advisor, and college admissions counselor with 15+ years of experience guiding students to top colleges including Princeton, Duke, and USC.
- Former Writing Center Director and Director of Admissions with deep insight into both K–12 and college admissions.
- Magna cum laude graduate from Washington and Lee with advanced degrees from Vanderbilt University and Middlebury College.
Kate Rossetti
Senior Private Counselor
- Nearly 20 years of experience in college counseling and admissions, including roles in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Stanford and UC Berkeley.
- Former independent school college counselor; students admitted to Ivy League schools and other top colleges.
- Former alumni interviewer for Middlebury.
- B.A. from Middlebury, Ed.M. in Higher Education from Harvard.
Kylie Dowling
Senior Private Counselor
- Former Director of Recruitment at Johns Hopkins University.
- 12+ years of experience working in highly-selective admissions.
- Master’s in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins; B.A. in Religious Studies.
- Experienced Leadership Coach with a particular focus on aspects of Positive Psychology.
Rohail Premjee
Senior Private Counselor
- 10+ years with Top Tier Admissions, specializing in elite college admissions.
- Cum Laude graduate of Dartmouth, double majoring in Government & Philosophy.
- MBA and Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
- Former Board Liaison at UChicago and President’s Office staff at Dartmouth.
- Application Boot Camp® alum.
Kate Caspar
Senior Private Counselor
- Nearly 30 years of leadership in independent schools, including 23 years in senior administration
- Former Director of College Counseling with extensive experience in academic planning and selective admissions strategy
- Associate Head of School overseeing grades 5–12 academics and supervising college counseling operations
- Undergraduate degree from Stanford University and graduate degree from Northwestern University. Collegiate lacrosse player and three-sport high school athlete
Nellie Brennan Hall
Senior Private Counselor
- Former Associate Director of Admissions at Brown; led selection committees and athletic admissions.
- B.A. from Harvard, M.Ed. from Notre Dame; Ed.M. in Higher Ed from Harvard.
- Former independent school college counselor; students admitted to Ivy League and top colleges.
Our Staff
Amanda Neel
Enrollment Manager
- 10+ years in marketing and revenue operations with experience in technology consulting, professional services, and nonprofit organizations.
- Specializes in CRM systems, marketing automation, and data strategy across agency and enterprise environments.
- Leads marketing operations and technology strategy to help families navigate their admissions journey with clarity and confidence.
Peter Segreve
Enrollment & Academic Experience Advisor
- Former admissions professional at Harvard University and Suffolk University, bringing firsthand experience reviewing applications and guiding prospective students through the admissions journey.
- Engaging and approachable first point of contact, ready to answer questions, provide guidance, and empower families to take the next steps in their educational journey.
- Experienced in supporting students and families at every stage of the college search and enrollment process, helping them navigate options with clarity and confidence.
- Committed to building strong, supportive relationships with students and families to ensure a positive and welcoming discovery experience.
Generosa Sangco-Jackson
Enrollment Advisor & TTA Tutor
- First-generation college graduate with a Ph.D. in Classical Studies (University of Florida) and an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership (Harvard University), bringing a deeply personal understanding of how transformative thoughtful guidance can be.
- Guides families through academic programs and admissions support with clarity and care, helping them identify best-fit programs with confidence.
- Serves as a warm, professional first point of contact, ensuring every phone and email interaction reflects expertise, responsiveness, and a student-centered approach.
- Nationally recognized educator and curriculum leader, with service on the College Board AP Latin Development Committee, leadership roles in national classical organizations, and a track record of excellence in teaching and mentorship.
Heather O’Donovan
Enrollment Advisor & TTA Tutor
- Princeton University graduate and accomplished writer
- 5,000+ hours of experience coaching students in academics, standardized tests, and independent writing projects
- Guides families through program options and admissions support with clarity and expertise
Kim McLeod
Information Research Specialist
Manages data, reports, and digital resources for Top Tier Admissions.
Former Business Analyst at Mercer Management/Oliver Wyman.
Extensive experience developing information systems for Fortune 500 companies, including GE.