Abigail Nields Hillman

FOUNDER AND OWNER
DEVELOPMENT & APPLICATION COACH
ACADEMIC INSTRUCTOR (WRITING)

Abigail holds a BA magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University and an MAT from Brown University. After cutting her teeth at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, NY and Newton North High School outside Boston, she has been working one-on-one with students on academics and applications since 2003. Abigail’s easy rapport with young people allows her to identify and mirror to them why and how they are unique. Her instinct for what college admissions offices are looking for helps her guide students to tell their stories, not just in the personal statement, but holistically throughout the application. Abigail’s bespoke method has proved wildly successful, not just in terms of where students are admitted, but in how they feel about themselves at the end of the process.

  • I have always loved stories.

    As a little girl, I was either reading a story or acting one out on stage. At Yale, tales of the past captured my interest, so I majored in history, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. My thesis, History in Black and White, which examined the representation of African Americans in U.S. history textbooks and the disconnect between historiography and classroom history, forced me to grapple with how we tell our national story.

    Inspired, I decided to pursue a career in education which combined my love of history with my interest in theater and storytelling. I taught at the St. Ann’s School in Brooklyn, then earned my MAT from Brown University. After teaching US and Modern World history (AP, Honors, standard) at Newton North High School outside Boston, I had twins (later followed by a singleton) and began tutoring exclusively.

    My penchant for spinning narrative provided a natural segue into working on college essays. I quickly learned that the value of the process lay not in getting a kid into college, but in empowering them to recognize what makes them special then express these strengths in their own words. The work is deeply gratifying and I am lucky to have met so many extraordinary youth.

    Over time, I became an expert on the application process, consulting with families in addition to providing essay support. I soon began to work with transfer and graduate applicants and expand into new fields. College graduates returned for help with resumes and cover letters (targeting employers just as they had targeted colleges in their supplemental essays). With increased confidence, I branched out into corporate and non-profit work.

    The essence of communication is narrative. History, religion, mythology, advertisements, and politics all rely on story to make them effective and digestible. Since we are in charge of which stories we tell and how we tell them, it’s imperative that we are intentional about our choices.

    My work is deeply collaborative, often intimate, and always a pleasure. Whatever your needs, I’d love to help you tell your story.

Jackie Kasher

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES

Jackie is a seasoned educator, mentor, and coach. She brings a wealth of experience to the pre-college process and excels at interpersonal communication.  Her commitment to nurturing the inherent strengths of children and young adults is unparalleled. With a master’s degree in Education and Reading, Jackie’s professional experience includes teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, coaching teachers and principals at Children’s Literacy Initiative, and teaching for the Haverford Township School District. As a parent of two college-aged children she understands the unique complexities of the educational journey and is deeply sensitive to the needs of both parents and students. When not supporting parents and students, Jackie brings her exuberant energy to her family, which includes a rotation of lively foster dogs.

Mark Hillman

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND MARKETING

Mark earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Tufts University, a Masters in Finance from Boston University and spent a year at the University of Oxford (New College). He has lived internationally in Kenya, Belize, England, and Germany. After working in research on Wall Street, as a leading technology and industry analyst, and as a content marketing and market intelligence expert in supply chain and procurement in the software and consulting industries, he’s now managing our finance, business operations, and marketing efforts. When not thinking about how we can help our students and families reach their goals, Mark is watching, playing, or reading about tennis.

Elisa Matthews

COORDINATOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS COACH

 A three-time Barrymore nominee and Best Actress Broadway World Award, Elisa is a gifted singer and actor whom you might have seen performing at the Arden Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, People’s Light & Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, and/or Media Theatre. Elisa is also a gifted voice teacher (reach out to learn more!) and concert soloist. Elisa is using her experience working in the Career Center at Connecticut College to help us provide clients the individualized care they have come to expect. 

Our Team

  • Bethel Adiele

    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Sadie Basila

    Development & Application Coach
    Academic & LSAT Instructor

    BIO
  • Nathaly Basto

    Development & Application Coach
    College Match

    BIO
  • Julia Bourque

    Career Coach

    BIO
  • Curtis Bowman

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Will Braithwaite

    Application Coach
    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Chloe Budakian

    Academic Instructor
    Development & Application Coach

    BIO
  • Kaeden Carroll

    College Match
    Development & Application Coach

    BIO
  • Anna Catone

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Holly Ceane

    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Jason Chang

    Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Anda Clark

    Development & Application Coach
    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Marcia Custer

    Development & Application Coach
    Graduate School Application Coach
    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Taylor Dillon

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Brian Frenette

    Career Coach

    BIO
  • Debosir Ghosh

    Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Ashley Lefrak Grider

    Development & Application Coach

    BIO
  • Galit Higgins

    Executive Function Coach

    BIO
  • Reese Hillman

    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Rhonda Hyde

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Wendy Beth Hyman, Ph.D.

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Tucker Iverson

    Application Coach
    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Andrew Javens

    Development & Application Coach
    Academic Instructor

    Bio
  • Ben Lash

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Jane Lewendon

    College Match

    Bio
  • David Liebmann

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Emily Goodwin Martin

    Development & Application Coach
    Academic Instructor
    Mindfulness Coach

    BIO
  • Gabe Mollica

    Development & Application Coach
    College Match

    BIO
  • Katryna Nields

    College Match

    Bio
  • Kofi Oduro-Manu

    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Emme Pike

    Athletic Recruiting Advisor

    BIO
  • Zack Pockrose

    Test Prep Instructor
    Development & Application Coach

    BIO
  • Tom Rogers

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Avanthika Srinivasan

    Development & Application Coach
    Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Tyrome Sweet

    Academic Instructor

    BIO
  • Holden Valentine

    Law School Application Coach
    Academic & Test Prep Instructor

    BIO
  • Gabby Veilleux

    Academic Instructor

    Bio