Cyndy McDonald, CEP

Cyndy McDonald, MA/PPS/CEP, is a prominent thought leader, speaker, and innovator in college counseling and educational entrepreneurship. As the founder of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), she played a pivotal role in shaping the independent educational consulting profession. With over 30 years of experience as a college advisor, Cyndy brings deep industry knowledge and strategic vision to her work. She serves as an instructor in UCLA's online College Counseling Certificate program, training and mentoring the next generation of advisors. As the creator and host of Friday Forums, she regularly interviews leading experts in education, admissions, and business to deliver actionable insights to practitioners worldwide. A pioneer in education technology, Cyndy founded GuidedPath to revolutionize how counselors and families navigate the college planning process. Today, she also provides expert individual and group business coaching, empowering educational consultants and entrepreneurs to build, scale, and refine successful practices.

Steven R. Antonoff, Ph.D.

Steven R. Antonoff, Ph.D., Certified Educational Planner, is a respected voice in the profession of Independent Educational Consulting. He is author of A Student of Colleges (the first textbook written for the field), College Match, and The College Finder. Dr. Antonoff is on the Standards and Ethics and the Professional Development Institute committees of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). He is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Dr. Antonoff was President of IECA and often teaches at the IECA Summer Training Institute. He is the Founding Chair of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners. He is past chair of the IECA Foundation, the charitable arm of the professional association. He is a member of the Advisory Committee and an instructor in the University of California, Irvine Independent Educational Consulting Certificate program. He is sought as a speaker on issues of educational consulting, higher education, and college admission. He served as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid and Dean of Students at the University of Denver.



Kazue McGregor, CEP

Kazue McGregor is a Certified Educational Planner and has been advising students as an independent consultant since 2011. After a full career as an active teacher and professional musician, Kazue works with

students from all backgrounds with a focus in the performing arts and students from multicultural backgrounds.

She has co-authored an article for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Diversity Handbook, spoken at high schools on the college admission process for underrepresented student groups, and presented on “Cultural Competency in Educational Consulting” at the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) Professional Development

Institute and at professional roundtables.

Kazue mentors other consultants and has held several leadership roles in HECA including Director, Professional Development, 2017 Conference Chair and College Fair Co-Chair, 2021 Virtual Conference Oversight. She is an active

Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and in the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).

Debra Landesberg

For over 20 years, Debra Landesberg has focused on and trained to be knowledgeable about trends in higher education, the college application process, scholarships and financial aid. Her extensive experience assures that she provides the most critical and up-to-date information to her clients. As a result of multiple leadership roles in national and regional organizations, Debra has presented at various conferences and received numerous national and regional awards. Debra has grown her business to offer a team approach of highly experienced and passionate consultants who are dedicated to serving students and families across the world.

As an educational consultant, Debra Landesberg offers step-by-step guidance throughout high school, helping students prepare for the college application and selection process with minimal stress and maximum organization. Initially starting in the public high schools by creating a college & career center, My College Resource now consults with families throughout the nation who utilize public, private, and customized approaches to secondary education. Her motto, "Take the Stress and Guess out of College Admissions," reflects her commitment to making the process as smooth and manageable as possible for students and their families.

Tony Cabasco

Vice President for Enrollment, Colorado College

Tony Cabasco is the Vice President for Enrollment at Colorado College, a role he assumed in June 2024. Prior to joining Colorado College, he served as Vice President for Enrollment at Bennington College in Vermont from 2018 to 2024. Mr. Cabasco began his higher education career as an Admission Officer at Whitman College in Washington, where he worked for 24 years. He was appointed Director of Admission in 2000 following a national search and was promoted to Dean of Admission & Financial Aid in 2004.

Mr. Cabasco has been an active leader in the college admission field, serving on the Executive Board of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling and as a faculty member for the College Board’s Summer Admission Institute. He has presented on college admissions at numerous professional conferences and secondary schools across the United States.

Born in Vietnam, Mr. Cabasco lived in the Philippines and Nigeria before immigrating to the United States and settling in Olympia, Washington. He graduated from Whitman College with a degree in Physics. After spending a year teaching English at Northwestern Polytechnic Institute in Xi’an, China, he earned a master’s degree in international studies (Chinese Studies) from the University of Washington.

Christine Bowman

Director of Strategic Programs at Texas State University Round Rock, Texas

Christine Bowman is an accomplished higher education leader with three decades of experience in admissions and enrollment services. Throughout her 30-year tenure at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, she served across leadership roles spanning admission, financial aid, and strategic communications. Her work centers on guiding first-year and transfer students and their families through the decision-making process, ensuring a strong focus on institutional fit and opportunity. Driven by a commitment to expanding access, developing emerging admission professionals, and driving strategic innovation, Christine aligns enrollment strategy directly with institutional goals.  She now serves as the inaugural Director of Strategic Projects at Texas State University-Round Rock where she will lead enrollment, advising, marketing and strategic partnerships.   

A national voice in higher education, Christine served on the Board of Directors for Colleges That Change Lives from 2013 to 2023, including four years as Board Chair. She currently sits on the advisory boards for the Hugg-Trust Scholarship, Polaris Athlete, and Sage Scholars, and previously served on advisory boards for The College Board and Rural Opportunity for College Access (ROCA). Additionally, her service includes roles as a SACSCOC Evaluator and active membership in TACAC, NACAC, and CIVSA. Christine earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and her bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University.