Meet Our Team
Jennifer Tabbush, Founder
Jennifer Tabbush founded Headed for College to help families in need of expert educational consulting, college and graduate school counseling, and academic planning. Ms. Tabbush received a B.A. in Economics/Business from UCLA, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. After graduating from UCLA, Jennifer worked as a Financial Analyst for Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Investment Banking Division in New York and Los Angeles. Jennifer earned her MBA from the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Ms. Tabbush worked for Walt Disney Television during business school. After graduating, Jennifer joined Nissan North America as a Senior Financial Analyst working in the strategy group. Ms. Tabbush began her admissions career in 1990 as a volunteer student reader of applications to the MBA program at UCLA Anderson. From 1990-2008, Ms. Tabbush worked in graduate admissions for the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management where she was Associate Director of MBA Admissions. She read thousands of essays, interviewed hundreds of candidates, and represented UCLA Anderson at events in the U.S. and abroad. Jennifer was also a member of the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools admissions read team and read applications for UCLA’s freshman class for three years.
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Jennifer earned the Certified Educational Planner designation and holds a certificate in College Counseling from UCLA. She has advised high school and college students in the U.S. and abroad regarding academic planning and successful college search and application strategies since 1994 and has helped hundreds of students on a volunteer basis. She relies on her extensive admissions experience and knowledge of the admissions and academic landscape, as well as her ability to connect with teens, to help students navigate high school and find colleges that are a great fit. Ms. Tabbush loves every minute spent working with students! Jennifer served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, where she also was a member of the Finance Committee.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
Kimberly Byron
Kimberly Byron has worked in college counseling for the past 15 years. She has helped hundreds of students find, and attend, their dream college. She works with all types of students from all types of backgrounds. Kimberly has the added expertise of working with performing arts students. She counsels her students, strategizing on college selection and the audition process. In addition, Kimberly works with students who have learning differences, ensuring that they receive all the support they need when preparing for college.
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Kimberly Byron brings a unique and varied skillset to Headed for College. As a 25-year veteran of the corporate world, she has a distinct perspective and global vision for what it takes to be successful in today’s business environment. Working for global and multi-national conglomerates such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Wickes Companies Inc., Kimberly served as Public Relations Manager and Advertising Manager for both companies. She created media campaigns, authored speeches, and oversaw corporate imaging. It was in this capacity that she developed her expertise in both corporate and creative writing. Now, as a seasoned professional writer, she brings her knowledge, guidance, and insights into working with high school students as they find their authentic voice in their college essays.
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Kimberly was also a principal partner in her own public relations company, KB Associates, where she represented clients in such diverse industries as entertainment, food services, healthcare, retail, and education. It was in this capacity that she began to nurture her interest in the education field and working with kids. She began assisting with essay writing and ultimately merged into counseling. After personally counseling her two daughters through the college process, she realized her true calling.
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Kimberly received her Certification in College Counseling from UCLA. In addition, she is a UCLA volunteer alumni representative at college fairs, educating high school students, and their families, about UCLA. Kimberly is a UCLA graduate with a dual bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
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Independent Educational Consultants Association (Professional Member)
Chelsea Harder
Throughout her career, Chelsea Harder has been supporting and advising students from a variety of backgrounds. Working with students across the United States and abroad, Chelsea is invested in her students’ success and is passionate about her work as a college counselor. After ten years as a Director at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Chelsea joined the Headed for College team to assist students and families through high school and the college admissions process. Chelsea graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Communications from UC San Diego.
Chelsea mentored students throughout her time at UCSD and after three years working in the music industry, she transitioned to a role at UCLA’s Ziman Center for Real Estate to pursue her passion for student affairs. Chelsea worked closely with MBA, law, and undergraduate students to provide career coaching, mentorship opportunities, and academic guidance. After four years in the role, Chelsea pursued an M.Ed in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs, earning her degree from USC Rossier School of Education in 2013. Later that year, she became the Executive Director of the UCLA Anderson Applied Management Research Program – a 6-month MBA capstone consulting project – where she recruited companies and non-profits to work with teams of MBA students. She has also managed university partnerships at Trilogy Education Services, 2U, Inc., and developed pre-college programs at iD Tech and Emeritus Institute of Management.
Chelsea brings her expertise in college counseling as well as her passion for education and working with teens to Headed for College. Chelsea earned a Certificate of General Management from the UCLA Anderson Executive Education Program and has taken classes in the College Counseling Certificate Program at UCLA. Chelsea is a member of the CollegePlannerPro Advisory Board and the Matchlight Scholars Program.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
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Independent Educational Consultants Association (Professional Member)
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CollegePlannerPro Advisory Board Member
Marissa Leitner
Marissa Leitner is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic potential. As an college consultant and licensed educational psychologist, she assists students and their families in navigating high school and finding and applying to colleges that best match their unique goals. Marissa also specializes in guiding college graduates through the application process for healthcare-related graduate school programs, including psychology, speech pathology, and occupational therapy. She finds joy in helping students recognize their accomplishments and supports them through what can often be an overwhelming process.
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With experience as a school psychologist in both public and private schools, and as the Director of Student Support Services at a private school in Los Angeles, Marissa brings effective communication skills, enthusiasm, and compassion to her work with families. As an Alumni Scholar, she serves as an essay reader and evaluator for scholarships awarded to UC Berkeley undergraduate students through the Cal Alumni Association.
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Marissa has extensive experience supporting students with learning differences. She conducts assessments to evaluate each student’s unique learning styles using psychoeducational tools such as the WISC, WIAT, BRIEF, Conners, and BASC. She advises families on Individualized Education Programs and 504 Plans and advocates for accommodations in schools and standardized testing.
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Marissa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at UC Berkeley, a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from California State University, Northridge, and an Independent Educational Consultant Certificate from UC Irvine. In addition, she reads and scores essays for the UC Berkeley Alumni Scholarship program.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
Lisa Liss
Lisa Liss is dedicated to helping students find colleges with the best fit – academic, social, and financial – so families can be confident in their success. Lisa works closely with each student to understand their personal, educational, and professional goals. She believes that reaching those goals begins by taking full advantage of the high school academic and extracurricular experience.
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Lisa earned her BA in Economics at Occidental College in Los Angeles and her MBA in Finance from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she worked in admissions as an application reader. She worked for many years in Financial Services, conducting analysis, managing development and marketing for retirement products, and supporting product sales and service teams. When she had more children than arms, she pivoted to focus on education and family. Lisa served as PTA President and Executive Board Member of the Booster Club at her local public school before returning to business, managing a multi-location health clinic serving families of school-aged children.
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After enjoying the experience of guiding her own three sons and several of their friends to college, Lisa committed herself to helping young people through the college journey. She completed the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program and has advised high school students and nontraditional students returning to college or starting for the first time. Lisa volunteers as a college advisor for high-achieving, low-income high school students.
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Parents often find the college journey daunting. Lisa knows the path and enjoys helping students find the right fit in colleges, express themselves authentically and competitively on applications, and manage competing timelines and priorities to reduce anxiety. She works with students on interview skills and with families on maximizing financial aid. She will help families evaluate offers and make the transition to college. While applying to college is a student’s job, Lisa is there to guide, encourage, give a push when needed, and celebrate at the end of it all!
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
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Independent Educational Consultants Association (Associate Member)
Allison Kelly
Allison graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in History and went on to earn her single-subject teaching credential in mathematics and Master’s of Education from UCLA. She earned her College Counseling Certificate with Distinction from UCLA Extension. She worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a secondary math teacher for 14 years. During her time with the district, she served in school site leadership roles as a department chairperson, senior class faculty sponsor and instructional coach. She supported the implementation of curriculum and instructional strategies and designed professional development for teachers. Allison brings her wealth of knowledge, experience working with high school students, and her desire to help them succeed to our Headed for College team.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
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Independent Educational Consultants Association (Associate Member)
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National Board Certified Teachers (Adult/Young Adolescence Mathematics Certification)
Brynn Shiovitz
After 15+ years working in academia, Brynn is thrilled to bring her knowledge of higher education to Headed for College. Brynn received her Ph.D. in Culture and Performance from UCLA, and her MA in Performance Studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels at UCLA, Chapman University, Purchase College-SUNY, California State University-Long Beach, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Additionally, she has spent over a decade on the admissions committees at these schools. Having taught in a variety of college programs across the country, Brynn brings an insider’s perspective to college admissions and is uniquely prepared to guide you through the exploration, application, and selection phases of the process.
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In addition to her intimate understanding of college programs nationwide, Brynn comes with wide-ranging, professional writing and editorial experience. She is the author of Behind the Screen: Tap Dance, Race, and Invisibility During Hollywood’s Golden Age (Oxford, 2023) as well as the editor of The Body, the Dance and the Text: Essays on Performance and the Margins of History (McFarland, 2019). Her award-winning research and writing has been featured on NPR and the BBC and can also be seen in Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Review of Books, Jewish Journal, SCREEN, Dance Chronicle, Women and Performance, Jazz Perspectives, Theatre Survey, Theatre Journal, and Dance Research Journals, LA Dance Chronicle, Dance, Dance Spirit, and Dance Teacher Magazines, and the Oxford Handbook in Black Dance Studies edited by Thomas DeFrantz.
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She is a member of the following professional organizations:
Laura DiBiase
Laura DiBiase has spent her entire career in education. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in History, she began her career at a tutoring company. While specializing in tutoring advanced humanities subjects, the SAT and ACT, Laura also helped strategize and launch the company’s first college counseling program.
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Through building this program over two years, she became distinguished as the lead college counselor. In 2016, Laura accepted a position as an English teacher at a high school in Budapest, Hungary, while continuing to support students applying to college. After navigating counseling and full-time teaching positions in Europe for five years, Laura decided to focus exclusively on college counseling. She is ecstatic to bring her unique experience as an independent education consultant to the Headed for College team. Laura has an immense passion for her work and her students, finding unparalleled professional fulfillment in their successes.
She takes pride in cultivating authentic connections with her students, which allows her to help them convey their unique qualities throughout their applications and essays. She loves working with diverse students from across the United States and overseas. The college admissions process can be daunting and exhausting, but Laura prioritizes finding ways to keep her students motivated and confident while minimizing the stress of applying to college.
George Philip (GP) LeBourdais
GP LeBourdais is a former high school teacher, Fulbright Scholar, and startup executive. He holds an BA from Middlebury College, an MA from Williams College, and a PhD in the History of Art & Architecture from Stanford, where he also worked for the university’s Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. GP held a postdoc as the Research Program Manager at Stanford’s Digital Humanities lab and most recently served as Head of Strategic Initiatives for Polygence, a student research program, publishing research on important subjects like student mental health, the value of failure, effective feedback, and artificial intelligence. He’s taught at Stanford, Williams College, and Millbrook School, and loves working with students and families to plan for success in high school, college, and beyond. After exploring the Arctic Circle for his dissertation research, he now lives in the slightly warmer San Francisco with his wife and two daughters.
David Cooley, Career Coach
David Cooley joined Headed for College in 2014. His background includes more than seven years as an award-winning Career Coach for UCLA Anderson School of Management’s full-time MBA program. His experience also includes five years as a Career Coach and trainer for Drake Beam Morin, an international career consulting firm. He has worked with clients of all ages and experience levels, from recent college graduates to senior-level company executives. His client list includes E! Entertainment, Synopsys, the Walt Disney Company, Gilead Sciences, the IMAX Corporation, L.A.’s Metrolink, and Lumend Technologies.
He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and holds a certification in General Management from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is certified in Career Coaching by the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, California.
