B.A. and M.M. from University of Chicago

Hailing from University of Chicago, Crystal has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Human Development and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She's applied these credentials for years in the education sector, from a public classroom setting to public and private Montessori schools. Crystal also has a passion for music and any type of learning. She believes that mindset and perseverance are the keys to success and can be developed in any student.

B.A. in English from Harvard

Julia joins us from Harvard and a four-year stint with Outward Bound, where she trained in experiential learning, using the outdoors as her classroom. She also served as an SAT tutor and counselor for international high schoolers visiting the US, gaining familiarity with the rigors of US admissions and candidacy preparation. Julia brings extensive experience teaching goal-planning, time management, and holistic growth to her work with Rise.

B.S. (Hons) from University of Essex

Completing her doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology at the University of East Anglia, Edguelza brings a wealth of experience in education, child development, and psychology to Rise along with admissions savvy, having worked as an Admissions Officer for King’s College London. She's also served as a teaching assistant for SEND students and is passionately committed to helping students thrive in their chosen paths.

M.Sc. in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition from Oxford

Karl began his journey with a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Tartu, moving into the education sector post-Oxford with roles as a SEN teacher, an educational consultant, and a high school teacher in schools from Estonia to Dubai to Australia. With his multinational experience, Karl brings a nuanced perspective to Rise; he believes students grow most when challenged to accomplish more than they think possible.

B.A. from U.Pennsylvania M.A. from New York University

Featuring stints with Walt Disney and Sesame Street, Gala's applied her education in Communications and Cinema Studies to deep engagement with younger students. Based in Dubai, Gala's served as an international educator at several private American schools, teaching students, implementing new educational policies, and developing school curricula. Gala draws on her colorful history to engage and educate students with any interest or background.

B.A. in Psychology (Honors) from New York University

As a dual Rise and Core Strategist, Paula brings a wealth of expertise on US university admissions to the Rise team. Alongside her Crimson work, Paula is an active volunteer with NGO Liter of Light and a passionate advocate for social justice, combining these passions with her background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health to make a difference in children's lives, preparing them not only for admissions but also to positively impact their world.