Meet Our Team
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Sue Slotnick
Co-founder and Chair, Board of Directors
Chief Executive Officer College Counselor and Mentor Sue Slotnick has worked as a K-12 Director of Admissions and Director of School Placement at two independent schools in the Los Angeles, California area for 38 years. She is currently CEO of Educational Test Prep, LLC and works as an independent college counselor specializing in assisting students in obtaining financial assistance for their college education.
Lisa Kurstin
Co-founder and Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Directors
Director of Programs and Lead College Counselor Lisa Kurstin brings 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher and senior level school administrator in local independent schools. Lisa’s administrative experience includes having served as a Director of Studies and Director of Admissions, as well as Education Programs Manager at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, California.
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Mitchell Butler
Teacher, Tutor
Member, Board of Directors Mentor Mitchell Butler is a former 4-year letter winner in basketball from UCLA who went on to play 11 years of professional basketball, 8 of which were in the NBA with the WashingtonBullets/Wizards, Portland Trailblazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He spent one year as an Assistant Coach with the Washington Wizards, helping them to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 30 years, while also working in management as Director of Player Development. He has been a NBPA Certified Agent for the past 14 years. He’s the only agent who has played, coached and managed in the NBA.
Margo Long
Member, Board of Directors
Mentor Margo Long is an educator with over 50 years of experience. She has taught in both public and private schools and has been Principal of an independent school for 39 years. Margo was a co-founder of the Alliance for Minorities in Independent Schools and served as a Board member for this organization for many years.
Nora Malone
Member, Board of Directors
Nora Malone has decades of experience as a teacher and school administrator. She taught English, science and history, and was a Director of Admissions for many year before becoming Head of School at Village School (CA) from 1999 to 2020. Nora has served as a member of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Board of Directors, Vice Chair and member of the CAIS Board’s Executive Committee, and both Vice Chair and Chair of the CAIS Elementary Board of Standards. She has also served as chair or team member on 14 accreditation teams for CAIS since 2000. She is currently working as a Senior Consultant at Carney Sandoe & Associates, a firm dedicated to helping schools recruit and retain exceptional faculty and leaders.
Ira Pianko
Member, Board of Directors
Ira has been a partner with an international accounting firm Arthur Young & Company, predecessor to Ernst & Young, as well as the Chief Operating and/or Chief Financial Officer at Warner/Chappell Music, The Resmark Companies and Oakwood School. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Oakwood School since 1992, including his multi-year tenure as Chair of the Board. Ira has been on the Board of Stephen Wise Temple since 2018. He is currently Vice Chairman and a Director of The Resmark Companies. Ira’s expertise in finance, business, leadership and strategic planning makes him an extraordinary mentor for College Access Partnership students and member of the Advisory Board.
Ralph Slotnick
Member, Mentor
Ralph Slotnick has been an international entrepreneur for over 60 years. Ralph is the founder of the Institute of International Commerce (IIC) which offers an online course on global trade for adult learners. He is an excellent mentor for business-minded College Access Partnership participants.
Jim WesterholmCo-founder/Director of Studies
College Counselor and Tutor James Westerholm brings over 25 years of classroom instruction and private tutoring in standardized test preparation and all high school subjects. Over his years as a teacher and tutor, Jim has devoted his practice to researching and mastering the art of test taking.
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