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Our Team

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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Alicia stoller

Chief of Operations & Educational Specialist

Alicia has over 20 years of experience as an educator, leader, and consultant, supporting children’s diverse learning needs and guiding families through the challenges of parenting. She has taught and led at schools including 92NY, Packer Collegiate, and Avenues, directed preschool programs at JCP and JCC Manhattan, and most recently served as Director of Parent Education at AEON School. In addition, Alicia has taught at Bank Street College and consulted with schools and parents from early childhood through adolescence. She holds degrees from Vassar and Bank Street and is also a parent herself.

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JESSIE LYTTON

Nursery Education Consultant

Jessie brings over 15 years of experience across public, private, and international education, with leadership roles at The Packer Collegiate Institute, Success Academy Williamsburg, Korea International School Jeju, and BASIS Independent Brooklyn Lower. She is passionate about guiding families through the admissions process and helping children find environments where they can thrive. Jessie holds degrees and certifications from CUNY Hunter College, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Fashion Institute of Technology, and also works as a Certified Personal Trainer focused on women’s health and trauma-informed training.

Denise Debono

Nursery Education Consultant

Denise brings 30 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and admissions at independent schools in New York, Washington DC, and London, including Packer Collegiate, Nightingale-Bamford, and Grace Episcopal. She has served as Teacher, Camp Director, Director of Admission, Head of Lower School, and Assistant Head of School, with deep expertise in admissions and enrollment management. A Fulbright Scholar with degrees from the University of Colorado and George Mason, Denise is known for thoughtfully matching families with schools that align with their child’s developmental needs and family values.

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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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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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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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

K-12 Education Consultant

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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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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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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Danielle holman

College Education Consultant

Danielle Holman is a Princeton-trained former admissions officer with a decade of experience helping students craft compelling academic and extracurricular narratives for competitive U.S. and international universities. Known for her warm, strategic, and student-centered approach, she has guided every student she advises to admission at one of their top-choice schools.

Alison manolovici

Educational Consultant

Throughout her career in education, law, and nonprofit service, Alison has focused on guiding people through complex systems with clarity and care. She brings years of perspective to her work as both an advisor and a parent. Alison's background as a lawyer informs her practice with a rigor and clarity that families find reassuring. Her understanding of selective admissions processes is also grounded in her 25 years as an interviewer for Brown University, where she is also an alum. The hallmark of Alison’s work is her ability to listen deeply, guide calmly, and help students discover schools where they will thrive.
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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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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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Administrative Team

SUNIT MAYALL

Client Engagement Manager & Accountant

Sunit oversees client relations and operations at Smart City Kids with precision, professionalism, and a positive attitude.Drawing on her diverse background in finance, social services, and event management, she ensures seamless support for families and the SCK team alike.

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TY COTTON

Real Estate Advisor

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ANGELA ZHENG

Creative Director & Product Manager

Angela oversees design, systems, and communications at Smart City Kids, ensuring that every detail—data, tools, and messaging—supports families and consultants alike.She brings together tech, design expertise, and admissions insight to help SCK run smoothly and stay connected with the families we serve.

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Tessa young

Office Associate

Tessa is a key member of the Smart City Kids administrative team, supporting families through every step of the admissions process with research, organization, and attention to detail. Known for improving office workflows and maintaining clear communication, she also studies Biology with a focus on youth developmental conditions.