The School Counseling Group is a team of professionals who practice a collaborative and compassionate approach to guide and support families in their decision-making process around school, gap year, college or therapeutic placement. Collectively, our consultants have spent decades in a variety of settings as students, teachers, administrators, counselors, parents and coaches. When you work with any one of us, you are supported by the experience and wisdom of the entire team.
Peter Sturtevant Jr.
DIRECTOR
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Peter became Director of The School Counseling Group in 2000 after eighteen years in independent schools. From 1992-2000, Peter served as Head of School at The Gunston School in Centreville, Maryland, where he led the school in creating its signature Bay Studies Program and then through a significant change of mission from an all-girls boarding school to a co-ed day serving the region. Before Gunston, Peter worked at the Maret School in Washington, DC, teaching English and humanities, coaching, advising seniors in the college admissions process, and serving as Senior Master of the Upper School. A native Washingtonian, Peter attended Potomac and graduated from Landon. He later earned a B.A. in Religion from Bowdoin College, an M.A. in English from Middlebury College, and an M.A.L.S. from Skidmore College in Counseling Philosophy. Peter is a Board-Certified Coach (BCC) through the Center for Credentialing and Education
Jen Parsell
DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES
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Jen has served as the Director of Client Services for The School Counseling Group since 2013. In this role, she is often the first point of contact for all new client inquiries and supports families throughout the placement process. Jen communicates regularly with the counselors and the director and helps keep SCG organized behind the scenes. Jen earned her B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to joining The School Counseling Group, Jen worked as an early childhood educator and administrator for over ten years. She began her career in Boston, before moving to Chicago and finally settling in Washington, DC. Jen also spent two years overseas in Tel Aviv, Israel working as the Community Liaison Office Coordinator at the US Embassy, where she provided support and assistance to American families living and working in Tel Aviv.
Cyndy Norford
CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR
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Cyndy joined an expanded SCG client support team in the spring of 2023. After ending her career in banking as senior vice president, she went on to lead the development effort for Junior Achievement in Atlanta. Later, she founded and served as CFO for a successful fitness company for pregnant women and new mothers. In 2008 Cyndy relocated to Northern Virginia with her husband and two young children and transitioned to full-time parenthood and community service. She has held several leadership positions within her community, including as member of the Executive Board of Directors and Registrar for Reston Swim Team Association and as parent volunteer responsible for producing two annual school musicals at Lake Anne Elementary. As a result of these efforts, she was recognized in 2021 with the Kim Klarman Award for outstanding community service. Cyndy is a strong proponent of education and mental health, especially for children and adolescents. She holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Bucknell University.
Tom Harvey
SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS & THERAPEUTIC CONSULTANT
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Having worked in the educational and mental health field since 1995, Tom understands that each family's situation is unique and often complex. He specializes in identifying the right placement for children, adolescents, and young adults, including specialized day schools, boarding schools, and therapeutic programs. Tom routinely visits schools and programs throughout the United States and has a strong knowledge of options in the metro DC area. Recognizing that each family requires a customized approach and that many families don't know where to start, Tom works collaboratively and comprehensively to guide families through the full range of options available to them.
Tom earned his B.A. in Psychology from Williams College and his Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Educational Psychology) from Massey University in New Zealand. He is a professional member of WISER DC, the Therapeutic Consulting Association (TCA) and the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).
Lindsay White
DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL CONSULTANT
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With over 15 years of experience supporting families in the school selection process, Lindsay knows that finding the right school is the foundation for future success. She uses a collaborative and thoughtful approach to help families navigate the school search and application process. Lindsay joined The School Counseling Group in 2009 and is a member of IECA. A native of Pennsylvania, she attended local public and independent schools before enrolling, for high school, at Garrison Forest School in Baltimore as a boarder. After graduating from St. Lawrence University in NY, with a B.A. in Sociology and English, Lindsay earned an M.A. in School Counseling from New York University. Lindsay enjoys many years of experience serving both as a school counselor and an admissions representative. She has worked in the admissions office at The Maret School, was the Director of Counseling at The Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, and was a counselor at East Manhattan Outreach School. Combining her counseling background and her experience in admissions allows Lindsay to guide families through the school admissions process with confidence.
Simone Anderson
DAY SCHOOL CONSULTANT, Neurotypical & Neurodiverse Students
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Simone brings over 20 years of experience in education, having served in a wide range of roles including special education teacher, school counselor, leadership development coordinator, and assistant principal. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and an M.A. in School Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. Originally from California, Simone has lived and worked in Washington, D.C. for the past 15 years. For the past nine years, she has served as an assistant principal, where she has supported students with diverse learning profiles. She has played an active role in Student Support Teams (SST), IEP meetings, and broader schoolwide collaboration efforts to ensure that students with learning differences receive the services and structures they need to thrive. Her background in special education and school counseling uniquely positions her to understand and advocate for families navigating complex academic and developmental challenges. Simone has also lived, studied, and worked abroad in both Spain and Kenya–experiences that broadened her global perspective and reinforced her passion for student-centered learning and cross-cultural connection. As a consultant, Simone brings a heart-centered and strategic approach. She believes that authentic connection, attentive listening, and thoughtful planning are essential to fostering positive outcomes for students and families–especially those seeking clarity and support around learning needs, school placement, and holistic development. In her free time, Simone enjoys reading, biking, hiking, skiing, and traveling with her family.
Brie Jeweler-Bentz
DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
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Brie joined the School Counseling Group in 2009 and is a native of the Washington, DC area. She attended Montgomery County public schools, earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and received her Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has several years of clinical experience in university counseling centers, including DePaul University in Chicago and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Brie has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate level and has been a private academic tutor and college advisor for local area high school students. Prior to her graduate studies, Brie worked as an undergraduate admissions officer for the University of Michigan. She was responsible for reviewing prospective freshman application materials and for making subsequent recommendations for admission. Brie has a clinical interest in the stress that often accompanies the college application process, and she has given several lectures on the topic.
Mari McDonald
COLLEGE CONSULTANT
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A holistic thinker, Mari works to develop a deeper understanding of each student she encounters – learning about a particular student’s unique strengths and offering guidance on how to articulate those strengths in order to maximize success in the college application process. A Washington, D.C. native who graduated from St. Andrew’s, Mari returned to our nation’s capital after living in Northern Ireland where she earned a B.A. from Queen’s University. Mari’s commitment to D.C. area parents and students runs deep. She began her professional career at the Holton Arms School and since then has contributed to several other independent school communities, including The Madeira School, The Lab School, and most recently, her alma mater, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Mari has also served on the board of The Sheridan School for ten years and was appointed as Sheridan’s Head of School Search Committee Chair.
Jackie Kauff
COLLEGE CONSULTANT
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Jackie is passionate about helping students find their voice, using her decades of experience to guide them in expressing themselves clearly and confidently. In addition to supporting college applicants, she has experience helping medical school applicants craft impactful personal statements and supplemental essays. Jackie received a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. For years, she participated in the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, supporting the university's recruitment and yield efforts by interviewing and meeting with first-year applicants to help personalize the admissions process and make Cornell more accessible. Her three daughters are products of Montgomery County Public Schools. During their secondary school years, Jackie served as the Wootton Cluster Coordinator for the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, liaising between students, parents and the Board of Education. Prior to joining The School Counseling Group, Jackie was a principal researcher at Mathematica, where she led studies of social service programs and authored dozens of publications. Several of her studies focused on improving post-secondary outcomes among students in Maryland with a 504 plan or Individualized Education Program.
Katherine Ross
COLLEGE & BOARDING SCHOOL CONSULTANT, North Carolina Office
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Katherine joined The School Counseling Group in 2015. She received her B.A. in English from UNC Chapel Hill and received a M.A. in Counseling and Human Development from The George Washington University. Katherine is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHC-A) and a member of IECA. Prior to joining the SCG team, Katherine worked at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in D.C. and then at a private counseling practice in Bethesda, Maryland, where she provided individual and group counseling to students, families, and young adults, presenting a wide spectrum of learning, emotional, and social functioning needs. Katherine currently works out of our Charlotte, NC office, consulting with students both in Charlotte and surrounding areas, and in the DC Metro area.
Ann Stewart Pendergrass
COLLEGE CONSULTANT, North Carolina Office
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As a skilled wordsmith and seasoned editor, Ann Stewart brings a wealth of experience and a love of storytelling to her writing projects. A Nashville native, she received her B.A. in Journalism and European History from Washington and Lee University. Her career spans the worlds of journalism and documentary filmmaking with stints at Fox News, The New York Times, Politico, and Atlas Films. In each role, she has honed her ability to craft a compelling narrative and connect with audiences. She has also spent several years conducting admission interviews for Washington and Lee. She is dedicated to helping both students and professionals articulate their thoughts with eloquence and impact.
Nick Everdell
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL CONSULTANT
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Having served as Director of Recruitment at Yale Law School, and Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia Law School, Nick has read close to 15,000 graduate school applications. He knows a good application when he sees one, and he has first-hand knowledge about what admissions officers look for when building an incoming class. Nick acts as a trusted voice to help clients wade through all of the inaccurate information on the internet, and set them on the right path. In addition to his guidance on putting together the actual applications, he can advise on course selection, summer and post-graduate employment, long-term plans, and even extracurricular activities, which matter more and more as admissions becomes more holistic. His favorite part of the process is making a match between a student and a school, which he has done with great success since beginning his career as a consultant in 2016. The son of boarding school teachers, Nick is a graduate of the Lawrenceville School and holds a B.A. from Cornell University, where he majored in Russian. He got his start working in admissions at Vermont Academy, and then went on to earn an M.A. from the Klingenstein Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, which focuses on developing leaders in independent education. Best Piece of Advice: “Worry less about what schools want to see and more about what you want to show them.