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Our Team
Our Team
Debbie Schwartz
Founder and CEO
Debbie Schwartz founded Road2College in 2016 to educate families about college admissions and empower smarter college financial decisions. She has a background in personal finance, marketing and analysis, including management roles at Chase, Vanguard and Fidelity Investments. She’s also a parent who has put three children through college.
Melissa T. Shultz
Director,
Partnership and Premium Marketing
Melissa T. Shultz has extensive writing, editing, and management experience that traverses video, TV, books, magazines, newspapers, and marketing. Her previous titles include acquisitions editor, director of creative services, and manager of video production. She’s a published author; her articles and essays are featured in The NYT, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, AARP, and more.
John Schlander
Managing Editor and
Director of Essay Coaching
John Schlander is a veteran journalist and media consultant. His 40-year career includes various editing and executive roles, including digital general manager of the Tampa Bay Times and managing editor of The Penny Hoarder personal finance brand. He now owns JJS Content Services and serves as managing editor for Road2College.
Becca Blauch
Digital Marketing Manager
Becca Blauch is a digital marketing specialist with experience working with Hubspot, GetResponse, Airtable, Canva, WordPress, and Stripe. She previously worked in financial aid, helping students and their families at Chatham University.
Ana Pelayo Connery
Content Consultant and Essay Coach
Ana Connery is a content strategist whose work has appeared in USA Today, CNN, Oprah Daily, Reader’s Digest, Women’s Health, Real Simple, and more. Previously, she spent nearly 20 years as Content Director or Editor in Chief at top magazine brands, including Parenting, Cooking Light, Florida Travel and Life, and more.
Melissa Batai
Marketing Assistant
Melissa Batai has been an online freelance writer and marketing assistant for 14 years. Previously, she taught English at a community college for ten years.
Mindy Trotta
Community Manager
Mindy Trotta has experience in all facets of publishing, copyediting, writing, and social media. She has been a freelance writer covering travel, relocation, family, and food.
Ellen Whalen
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Ellen Whalen has worked with hundreds of families in the college admissions process. She was a professional writer and also edited over 1000 college essays.
Kyle Debatte
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Kyle Debatte is a school counselor with experience in college admissions, teen psychology, and conflict management.
Jennifer Liepin
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Jennifer Liepin is an admissions coach and lead essay editor to students applying to highly selective colleges. She is also an application reader at the University of Southern California.
Monica Ware
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Monica Ware is a college counselor and an application reader at UC Berkeley. She previously worked at Arizona State University as a career advisor and assistant director.
Abby Friedman
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Abby Friedman is a college access and career readiness specialist. She previously worked at UC Berkeley helping first-gen, college bound high school students.
Anne Franzblau
College Counselor and Essay Coach
Anne Franzblau is a college counselor with a certificate in college counseling from UCLA Extension. She has also been a seasonal applications reader and professional editor.
Valerie Zell
Essay Coach
Valerie Zell is a senior writer, editor and proofreader with more than 20 years of experience of content creation in the technology, nonprofit, small business, and hospitality markets. She started her career as a newspaper reporter and taught mass communications in college.
Michael Yessis
Essay Coach
Michael Yessis is an editorial leader with more than 15 years of experience in media. He has proven skills across digital, social and print, and specializes in developing and improving content.
Shannon Epps Croom
Essay Coach
Shannon Epps Croom is an editor with 15 years of experience at the Washington Post and other newspapers.
Jenny Rollins
Essay Coach
Jenny Rollins is an editor, writer and content strategist with seven years of media experience. She also has taught editing at Brigham Young University.
Donna Richter
Essay Coach
Donna Richter is an editor and team leader with 28 years of experience at the Tampa Bay/St. Peterburg Times.
