CONSULTANTS
ROXANA REID, MSW
Founder & CEO, K-12 Consultant
Roxana founded Smart City Kids in 2001 to help families find the best educational fits for their children through a comprehensive, personalized approach to admissions.With a background in law and therapy, she leads a team of experts dedicated to guiding families and corporations across NYC’s nursery to college admissions landscape.
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Pamela Wheaton
Public School Consultant
Pamela helps families navigate New York City’s complex public school system with deep knowledge, clarity, and care.A longtime education journalist and founder of InsideSchools, she brings unmatched insight into NYC’s public and charter school landscape from pre-K through high school.
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MARIEL KESSEL, MA
College Education Consultant
Mariel helps students navigate the college admissions process with clarity, structure, and a focus on authentic self-expression.With admissions experience at Princeton and Columbia, she empowers families to define success on their own terms and find the right college fit.
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JANE GERTLER, ED.D.
Special Education Consultant
Jane supports families seeking special education services, helping them find school environments where their children can thrive.With decades of leadership in special education, she brings deep expertise and warmth to every step of the placement process.
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ERICA PAPIR
Director of Business Development and Corporate Relations, Nursery Education Consultant
Erica supports families through the nursery school admissions process with calm, clarity, and deep expertise. She draws on decades of admissions experience and her own parenting journey to guide clients thoughtfully and lead workshops on education and parenting across school and corporate settings.
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LEILA SMILEY
Director of Education
Leila manages the Smart City Tutors program, drawing on her background as a teacher and tutor to support students and guide educators.She ensures every child receives tailored academic support, building a program rooted in compassion, instruction, and growth.
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ADRIANA PAYNE
Boarding School Consultant, K-12 Education Consultant, Managing Director
Adriana supports families through the K–12 school search with warmth, humor, and deep expertise in admissions and enrollment.With a background in school leadership and international consultancy, she helps each child find the environment where they can truly thrive.
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MARTHA HIRSCHMAN
Nursery Education Consultant
Martha guides families through the preschool admissions process with warmth, insight, and deep experience across NYC independent schools.Having held leadership roles in education from teaching to admissions, she helps parents find the best fit for their young children with both professional and personal perspective.
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LORELLE BABWAH BRENNEN
College Education Consultant
Lorelle guides students through the college admissions process with deep institutional knowledge, global counseling experience, and a mindfulness-based approach.With a background at Duke, UNC, and top international schools, she helps students move toward their goals with clarity, curiosity, and purpose.
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LISA SCHALK
Educational Specialist
Lisa supports families with school application essays and early enrichment, blending her expertise as a writer and educator.She brings warmth, insight, humor, and decades of classroom experience to help children and parents express themselves clearly and confidently.
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Rachel Krishbergh, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Rachel supports families through school placement and special education advising with insight, care, and over 15 years of experience.She takes a personalized, hands-on approach to help parents understand their child’s learning needs and find the right-fit educational environment, from Westchester to boarding schools.
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Darryl Tiggle
College Education Consultant
Darryl brings decades of experience in college admissions and counseling to help families navigate the process of finding the right college for your child with clarity and confidence.A trusted voice in the field, he draws on deep institutional insight and a national network to demystify selective admissions and support each student’s unique journey.
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