To say that I feel fortunate to be the Chair of School Planning at McMillan Education would be an understatement. Before joining McMillan, I spent 25 years as Director of Admissions in independent boarding schools. During those years, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the profound impact McMillan Education had on the families they served and, more importantly, on the educational landscape as a whole.
When Don and Sarah McMillan approached me about heading up their School Planning Practice, I was more than a little intrigued. While I found great satisfaction and joy in my role as Director of Admissions, I had seen what McMillan Education did first-hand, and knew that what they were doing is something special in the educational sphere. In a world where it can seem like prestige is the main goal, McMillan focuses on something far more meaningful: finding the right school where a student will truly thrive.
Throughout my years knowing the firm – from collaborating as Director of Admissions to hearing from both school families and even members of my own family who used their services back in the 1980s – one thing was clear: McMillan Education puts students first. Every year, we choose a theme to help guide our reflection and practice, and this year, in honor of our 70th anniversary, we chose the North Star. It’s a perfect symbol for what we’ve always done: help students and families navigate the independent school journey with unmatched experience, expansive expertise and unwavering empathy.
McMillan Education’s experience in the field is unmatched. With seven decades of relationships built with schools and admissions professionals, we have a deep understanding of how the landscape continues to evolve. Our longevity isn’t just a testament to our success—it’s proof of our ability to adapt, refine, and continually improve the support we offer to students and families. With over 350 years of combined experience, our team brings together former teachers, coaches, counselors, admissions professionals, administrators, social workers, and special education experts—each committed to helping students find the right environment to thrive. But what truly makes McMillan stand out isn’t just this depth of experience; it’s the way we collaborate. When I was an admissions director, I could feel the weight of their collective knowledge, no matter which team member I spoke with. Now that I’m here, I see how we constantly lean on each other to ensure that every family benefits from the depth of our shared experience. That kind of teamwork is rare, and it’s what allows us to serve our students so well.
When it comes to guiding families, McMillan’s expertise sets us apart. Our team doesn’t just know the admissions process—we’ve lived it. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we take the time to get to know each student — their strengths, interests, and aspirations — so we can help them find a school where they’ll feel inspired, challenged, and empowered to grow.
Beyond experience and expertise, the true heart of our practice is empathy. Choosing a school is a deeply personal decision, and it can be an emotional one, too. Families often feel the weight of this process, and we get that. That’s why we listen – really listen – to students, to parents, to the concerns and goals that might not make it onto an application, but that impart a deeper understanding of who the student is and what kind of person they want to be. Our thoughtful, human-centered approach makes the entire process less stressful and more meaningful. We also recognize that success looks different for every student. Our dedicated consultants work closely with families at their most vulnerable moments, providing compassionate guidance to navigate complex emotional, behavioral and academic challenges. Our goal isn’t just to get students into great schools — it’s to guide them toward the place where they will grow, belong and build a foundation for their future.
After decades working in schools, I have a pretty good idea what true educational support looks like. Stepping into my role at McMillan Education has reinvigorated me, and given me a whole new appreciation for what it means to truly put students first. The respect that McMillan has cultivated over decades isn’t just because of our deep experience, extensive expertise, or unwavering empathy – it’s because of the relationships that we have built and, more importantly, carefully nurtured over time. Schools trust us because they know we’re not just placing students in schools—we are thoughtfully guiding each student toward a place where they can flourish. Our commitment to Student-Led Success means that we don’t take shortcuts, chase rankings or let external pressures dictate the journey. Instead, we walk alongside families with integrity and care, always keeping the student’s best interest at the core of our practice. After working with McMillan on the other side of the desk for so many years, I now have the privilege of being part of the team that helped shape so many success stories. And I can say with certainty that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
