Managing Partner
Certified Professional Member of IECA

Nancy graduated from the University of Maryland, followed by a formal Etiquette Training Certification from the renowned Institut Villa Pierrefeu SA. She has published two books in the field of international education for young students in China who aspire to study abroad, namely “Anecdote in American High Schools” and “U.S. Top Private High School Essay Writing Guide”.

Managing Partner
Tabor Academy Board of Trustee, Class of 2003
Blair Academy International Board of Governors
Former Chair of Princeton University Alumni Students Committee for Northern China
Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University graduate student mentor

Nini is one of the first Mainland Chinese students to study in a private boarding school in the U.S. in the 90’s. She graduated as the valedictorian from Tabor Academy for a full ride to Princeton University. Nini also holds a Master of Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. Her career spans from investment banking at Morgan Stanley, digital marketing at Ogilvy and broadcast news production at Phoenix InfoNews Channel and CNN International. She currently sits on the board for her alma mater Tabor Academy as well as a global experiential education non-profit JUMP! Foundation.

Founding Partner
The Hill School Board of Trustee, Class of 2009

Max is one of the earliest Chinese students to study at a U.S. boarding high school, graduating from the Hill School to pursue his undergraduate studies at Carleton College, receiving Magna Cum Laude. Max is the very first Mainland Chinese graduate from the Hill School since its founding in 1851. After returning to China in 2013, Max has devoted his life to be an integral part of the development of International Education in China. He currently sits on the board at the Hill School and serves as the Chair of the Admission and College Counseling Committee, and a member of the Education, Executive, and Institutional Giving Committees.

Founding Partner

Lei is a cross-cultural educator bridging the youth in both China and the US. Born into a family of educators, Lei studied English Media and Communications at Macau University and received two master degrees in both communication and education from Towson University, and subsequently headed the Chinese teaching department and the International Students Department at John Carroll High School in Maryland. Lei founded the first Chinese language immersion school un Hartford County.

Founding Partner

Wayne graduated from the Northwest University of Political Science with a Bachelor of Laws, and subsequently received his Judicial Degree from Temple University’s Beasley Law School. He spearheaded the development of SNF’s proprietary “heuristic consulting curriculum” after nearly ten years of advisory experiences with Chinese youth.

Since 1986, Hamilton has worked in a variety of schools in varying capacities. Having attended St. Mark’s School, he is very familiar with boarding school life. After receiving his master’s in education from Harvard University, Hamilton has worked in three boarding schools – The Thacher School in California, The Oregon Episcopal School, Portland and the Leysin American School in Switzerland. He has also worked at international schools in Japan and South Korea, as well as the International School of Beijing as well as Harrow International School in China.

Lloyd Paradiso has more than forty years of experiences in the field of education. He holds a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, a master's degree from Middlebury College and has completed the coursework (and written examinations) for a doctorate in Educational Administration and Psychological Services at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. A founder, past president, Committee Chair and Board member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), he holds the designation of Certified Educational Planner (CEP).

Ray began his tenure at Choate Rosemary Hall after graduating from Bowdoin College in 1991 and gaining experience in the business world. At Choate he had a distinguished 23-year career, all in admission and enrollment management. Ray received his Master’s at Wesleyan University, where he furthered his knowledge in human (or applicant) assessment through his study of psychology and assessment tools. In 2014 he was honored with The Enrollment Management Association’s Bretnall Award for significant contributions to the admission field.

Patricia O’Keefe has worked in education for over 13 years and is a member of IECA, NAFSA & TABS. After graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) with an MBA, Patricia ran the USC Global Office in Japan. For nearly 20 years, she worked in Asia and has traveled to over 52 countries throughout the world. Patricia is fluent in Japanese and conversational Mandarin as well as French, she understands the vast challenges that foreign students face while studying in America and she vigilantly prepares students accordingly.

For over a decade, Ann has worked with a diverse group of students, assisting each in confidently engaging in the college application process. With 15 years of classroom instruction in reading, English and study skills and a master’s in teaching, Ann’s experience lends itself keenly to helping students on their educational journey.

Ann was also elected to two Boards of Education, serving for 15 years,12 as president. She has served as IECA's President and now serves on its Foundation and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP). She is a member of NACAC, NJACAC, and SACAC and presents regularly at conferences.

Anneke has devoted her career to boarding school admissions and extended program development. She began her career working with international students at Wilbraham and Monson Academy. Since then, she has worked extensively with both domestic and international markets for the purposes of student recruitment for ten years.

Anneke has worked in schools in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South, providing her with a breadth of knowledge about the variety of boarding school options for students. Included on that list are the following: Oldfields School - an all girls’ school, just north of Baltimore in Maryland; The Perkiomen School - a co-educational school with a robust ESL program; St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School - a small boarding school in Tennessee, also her alma mater; and at Phillips Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts, where she was the Dean of Admission and Assistant Director for Summer Session. Most recently, Anneke has been supporting the education team that is building the education ecosystem in the developing city-state of NEOM.

In addition to her recruitment work, Anneke has contributed to her boarding school environments as a house counselor, advisor, coach, and mentor to her students. Throughout her career, Anneke has worked closely with education partners to ensure that students are placed in the best possible school for their success. Her work with partners, families, and students has been some of her most rewarding and a major reason for her interest in working with students and Shang Nancyfriends.

Senior Educational Consultant

- 17 years in Educational Leadership in the US and China.

- Indian Springs School, Western Reserve Academy, Yungu School, and Avenues The World School.

- Educated at The University of Mississippi, Northeastern University, and Columbia University.

- Author of three books, test writer for SSAT, named “Teacher of the Future” by NAIS.

- Served on Admission Committee at four different schools.

- 10 years of placement of Chinese students in top boarding schools and colleges.

- Large network in schools and universities.

Educational Consultant
MA in Translation and Interpreting, University of Newcastle, UK

Crystal has rich cross-industry experiences as executive and interpreter. Her collaboration with EMBA professors as teaching assistant and translator at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) reaffirmed her passion for education and led her to the career of educational consultant. Over the past 6 years, Crystal has coached more than 200 students and helped them enter their dream schools. Crystal holds a teaching certificate and studies psychology, self-help motivational speaking, mysticism and anthropology in her spare time. She is good at stimulating students' unlimited potential and independent thinking ability, guiding students to understand themselves, discovering their talents and passions, and using various innovative methods to facilitate their growth and transformation.

In a patient and loving approach, she fully prepares students for interviews and essays, and improves students’ comprehensive abilities. Crystal believes in helping students discover and maintain their best selves through trustworthy team collaborations and a seamless communication with students’ families.

Educational Consultant
Research on Asian Culture, Dartmouth College

Mike graduated from Dartmouth College, one of the American Ivies, majoring in Asian cultural studies. Mike has fully understood the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese students, both in oral expression and thinking logic, during his six-year career with Nancy Friends. Years of rich work experience have made Mike a perfect mediator between American thinking and Chinese logic.

Educational Consultant
Business Administration, Singapore Management University

Charlie was born in Hong Kong. He moved to Canada when he was very young. At Bayview Glen School, a top private school in Toronto, Canada, Charlie completed 12 years of schooling from primary school to high school. After graduating from high school, he went to Singapore Management University to study and finally obtained a bachelor's degree in business administration. After graduating from university in 2012, Charlie experienced the customs and traditions of different regions in the vast and beautiful land of China. This experience allowed him to re-familiarize himself with the culture of his ancestors and further expand his worldview.

Charlie has an innate curiosity and adventurous spirit. He founded the Blackbridge Studio art studio with friends in 798 Art Zone in Beijing. His studio focuses on creating handicrafts and visual arts. He cooperated with some young artists and machinists to create unique furniture and murals.

After the completion of this project, Charlie returned to Canada to participate in professional teaching method training and obtained a TESOL certificate (Certified teacher). Charlie has been teaching for many years for students of different age groups from preschool children to teenagers. Charlie specialized in IELTS speaking, writing, speech, IB system English courses, and humanities courses. He has a rich reserve of professional knowledge and teaching experience, and his educational methods are dynamic, flexible, and personalized.

Afterwards, he devoted himself to the study abroad consulting industry with his diverse background and passion for high-quality education. He is adept at establishing a trust-based friendship with students through relaxed and enjoyable communication while expanding their worldview and social awareness through guidance and inspiration, in order to stimulate and unleash their hidden potential.

William was born in Los Angeles, USA. He moved to Beijing with his parents as a child and attended Shunyi International School in Beijing from first grade till his high school graduation. From middle school through high school, he participated in a program teaching English to children in Beijing. In June 2017, he participated in a backpacking trip through over 300 kilometers of mountains and forests between Wyoming and Idaho. This trip helped William develop a keen sense for leadership and a deeper appreciation for the importance of collaboration.

After graduating from high school in 2018, William attended Williams College in Massachusetts, where he received his B.A. in History in 2022. In addition to his history major, William also focused part of his classes on philosophy, developmental psychology, and educational psychology. His studies gave him a systematic understanding of Western philosophy and psychology and helped shape his educational philosophy.

Having lived experience in both China and the United States, William has his own unique insights into Chinese and American cultures. His experience teaching English to elementary school students during high school ignited his passion for education. He believes that the environment plays an important role in a child's development, especially when it comes to language learning. While in college, he worked as an intern for AKALA (an AI college admissions consulting platform). There, he helped create curriculum work sheets for the platform. This experience gave him a first-hand understanding of all the aspects of the admissions process. While at school William worked for a non-profit organization, helping at-risk youth in the United States find and take better advantage of opportunities for success. He also worked part-time at a local homeless shelter. Through his enthusiasm and his modest efforts, he helped people who were struggling to make ends meet make steps towards future success.

William believes that adaptability is key for working with students. Every student is unique and therefore each student requires a unique approach to counseling. Even the same student may need different approaches at different stages of their learning. William believes that the key to helping students succeed is to help students grow. If they are growing, they will naturally find success in their pursuits.

Educational Consultant
Columbia College Chicago

Jess graduated from the International Department of Shanghai High School and is familiar with the living conditions of international school students and the needs of studying abroad. During the process of applying for university, Jess received offers from 8 schools. In the first year, Jess went to Loyola University of Chicago, a private university, to study psychology. She spent 5 years studying abroad in the United States, understanding the values of contemporary American society; At the same time, as a child growing up in Shanghai, she understands the advantages of contemporary Chinese students. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2018, Jess returned to Shanghai to help more children like her achieve their dreams.

As a tutoring teacher, Jess is a very patient person. She believes that every child's needs while growing up are different. She believes that it takes time to understand children and she teaches from students’ perspective to effectively turn them into better selves. Jess enjoys face-to-face communication with students and finding their hidden talents. She hopes that every child with dreams has the opportunity to showcase their best selves.

Educational Consultant
Kelley School of Business | Indiana University

Tiger Wu grew up in Shanghai. Since high school, he has been educated and nurtured in an American private school. He is always full of curiosity, passion, and courage in life, as evidenced by his nickname "Tiger". He attended University Liggett School in high school, one of Michigan's oldest day schools, and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, one of the top business schools in the country.

Tiger has immersed himself in a sea of reading and self-exploration. He understands the significant transition from Chinese public school to American private school and has tasted the sweet and sour of living, learning, and growing independently at a young age.

Tiger has a wide variety of interests. He has been practicing piano and choir since the age of five and has organized a community piano concert. Tiger also has his own perspectives on exercise and nutrition. Tiger was a member of the varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams during high school. Right now, he focuses on gym workouts, yoga, and meditation. Tiger's philosophy includes pursuing spiritual and inner fulfillment, balance, and health in addition to athletic performance.

Tiger believes that only those who have attended high schools in the United States can empathize with families and help students overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. As a mentor and friend to his students, he often tells them, "I was the student body president my senior year. My high school has been established for over a century, and I was the first international student to be elected president of the student council! Isn't it awesome? You should also be brave in achieving your goals for the future!" He always laughs and speaks in this manner, and he genuinely believes in each child's potential and bright future.

Educational Consultant
Master of Education in Psychological Counseling, University of Pennsylvania

Theresa was born in Shenzhen. Since she moved to the United States in 2013, she has obtained high school and undergraduate degrees in Maine and Pennsylvania respectively and successfully obtained a master's degree in education at The University of Pennsylvania. During her time in the United States, Theresa served as an excellent alumni of UPenn participating in the interview process for undergraduate applicants at her alma mater. In addition, she also has rich internship experience in the field of consulting. She has conducted in-depth interviews and consultations with people of different ages, countries, and cultural backgrounds. She strives to provide every visitor with a comfortable, safe, and inspiring consulting experience.

Theresa has a variety of hobbies. She systematically studied calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting. During her high school years, Theresa actively participated in several school organizations, including the Model United Nations, and the school swimming team, and served as a secretary in The Key Club, managing and planning the community activities of all students in the school. Not only that, Theresa is also full of passion in music. She has practiced and played the piano for more than ten years, and knows how to play Hulusi, drums, and bass. Theresa has formed three bands since high school and has performed in and out of school.

After graduating with a master's degree, Theresa hopes to help more students who, like her, want to receive a more systematic and international education in a more diverse environment due to her interest in the education industry. Therefore, Theresa joined SNF in 2022, using her personal experience and scientific methods to guide her students in their application process and help them integrate into campus life in the United States, allowing students to enrich their academic knowledge while enjoying local customs and traditions.

Educational Consultant
Biology | University of Toronto

Rhita began her studies at a U.S. high school in 2016 and was accepted into the Life Sciences program at the University of Toronto in Canada with excellent academic results. With seven years of extensive study abroad experience, she has been deeply influenced by her mother, a university professor, and the academic environment around her since childhood. This has not only sparked her strong interest in biology but also cultivated a unique perspective and passion for education.

As one of the early students of Elite Nancy Partners, after her second year in high school, Rhita joined the team as an intern, providing guidance on U.S. high school interviews and school selection. She also shared her study abroad experiences with other students. During her time in school, she served as a tutor for new students' English proficiency and was the head of the International Activities Department, gaining a deep understanding of the interests and activities of both international and local students at her U.S. high school. Every summer when she returned to her home country, she worked part-time as an English tutor, accumulating rich experience in teaching English.

Throughout her years of studying abroad, Rhita formed close friendships with students from top high schools and universities, enabling her to offer a comprehensive, student-centered perspective on campus life and culture. Her two-year homestay experience in the U.S. provided her with a deeper understanding of American local culture and daily life, beyond the boarding school environment. During her study abroad, she was awarded the U.S. National Honor Society title. As an outstanding study abroad advisor, Rhita’s unique teaching methods and cheerful, approachable personality have made her well-liked by many students.

In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Rhita’s involvement in various extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school allows her to provide students with a solid academic background and find common ground with those who have diverse interests. Throughout her four years of high school, she consistently participated in one of the most popular sports, cross country, and achieved outstanding results. In the arts, she performed piano and morin khuur in the school’s chamber orchestra. She has also participated in nearly ten different club activities. Outside of school, she dedicated her vacations each year to improving her equestrian skills.

Driven by her long-standing passion for education and her alignment with Elite Nancy Partners' philosophy of "growth is more important than the application," Rhita joined Elite Nancy Partners to continue sharing her elite study abroad experience in North America, helping students apply to the top U.S. high schools that best suit them.

Educational Consultant
Master's degree, Oxford University

Derek previously served as the Head of External Investment at Singapore Investment Bank. He is specialized in using MBA thinking to train students' logical and expressive abilities. In the process of communicating with students, Derek likes to freely switch between Chinese and English, and he is very good at inspiring students' creativity and passion for language learning.

Educational Consultant
History & Political Science, Emory UniversityRen Taoshu Richard graduated from TMI Episcopal high school and is now studying history and political science at Emory University. He has won the Bronze Award in the American Spanish Competition, the English Academic Excellence Award, and the Academic Art Honor Award.

He was the grade representative of the Emory University Chinese Students' Association and the vice president of the activity department of Emory China Care. Richard had planned and implemented various official student activities of more than 100 people for the Emory China Student Association, including student orientations, career social events, etc. He organized and carried out offline collaborative organizations with impoverished children in Atlanta. As the leader of Emory China Care, Richard also led his staff to record story videos with Chinese characteristics online and send them to institutions in need, enriching the spiritual world of children and promoting Chinese culture.

Besides, Richard had interned in marketing, student mentoring, market development, and private land market research at multiple domestic and foreign companies.