Board of Trustees

Ann Rossbach

Treasurer

Ann has worked in education for most of her professional career, teaching at the community college level while opening her educational consulting practice over 17 years ago, joining IECA in 2008; she is also a Certified Educational Planner. In addition to her MA in Teaching from Monmouth University and BA in Political Science and Economics from Fordham University, Ann has completed coursework relevant to her consulting at the UCLA and UC Irvine Extensions and is currently an instructor through UC Irvine. She has served in several board positions within IECA, including as President and continues to present at conferences and volunteer within the Association. 

Ann has always volunteered extensively in her community, including being elected for five consecutive terms to two boards of education, serving as president for 12 years. She has also devoted her time as a trustee at Shore House (an organization for those living with mental illness), the Oceanic Free Public Library, the Boys and Girls Club of Red Bank and the Possibility Project in NYC. Ann lives in NJ with her husband, Doug, and has three adult children. She enjoys travel, gardening, tennis, and is trying hard to play the cello. Most importantly, Ann believes strongly in access for all children and young adults to education and opportunities that lead to successful and rewarding lives.

Antoinette Battiste

Antoinette Battiste is the founder and President of Educational Pathways with Antoinette Battiste, a consulting practice that provides college planning and counseling services to high school students and their parents. With an unwavering passion for equity and access in education, especially for low-income, first-generation and students of color, she also provides workshops and pro bono services in the community.

Operating as a solo entrepreneur, Antoinette has provided individualized college counseling services to nearly 200 students and families. Additionally, she has reached nearly 1,500 students via educational workshops in support of community-based organizations. Prior to launching her practice, Ms. Battiste held senior level program management positions with various technology companies in Silicon Valley for 20+ years.

She received an AB in Psychology and African-American Studies from Stanford University and an MBA in Information Systems from Golden Gate University. She also received a Specialized Certificate in College Counseling from UC San Diego Extension.

Antoinette is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Delta Omega Chapter, where she has served in several leadership roles, most notably co-chair of the chapter’s Black College Awareness Fair for 7 years. As the grant writer for the chapter’s Ivy and Pearls Foundation, she has secured in excess of $80,000 to support community-focused programming. Additionally, Antoinette served as Board Secretary for the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE) for 12 years.

Ms. Battiste is a Founding Member and Board of Directors Chair of the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula Donor Advised Fund, established in 2004. The Fund has leveraged the interest derived from its investments to distribute $4.1M via a competitive grant process to 55 organizations whose programs align with the Fund’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women and girls.

Kristina Dooley

Kristina L. Dooley is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and founder of Estrela Consulting, an Ohio-based independent educational consulting firm. Kristina has more than 20 years of experience working with students from around the world, navigating the complex college and school search processes. A first-generation college student, she graduated from Hiram College (B.A.) and Kent State University (M.A.).

In addition to her work with students, Kristina is an instructor for the University of California Irvine teaching College Consulting Resources, and also serves as a faculty member of the IECA Summer Training Institute for aspiring educational consultants.

Kristina is the Past President of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and holds membership in AICEP, NACAC, and the Ohio and International Associations for College Admission Counseling (OACAC & IACAC). In her free time, Kristina volunteers for Beyond Type 1 and serves on her local Board of Breakthrough T1D. Kristina serves as a mentor for College Now Greater Cleveland and True2U, and volunteers her time on several counselor advisory boards at colleges and universities across the country. A passionate mental health advocate, Kristina is a founder and board member of the non-profit organization State of Mind: Hudson. She resides in Northeast Ohio with her husband and their 14-year-old triplets.

Nichol Ernst

Nichol is the Clinical Director, CEO and co-owner of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy and residential treatment program in Maine. He has worked in the field of wilderness therapy and residential treatment since 2003. He received his Bachelor’s degree in U.S. History from Brown University and his Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England.

Brenda Gerhardt

Brenda Gerhardt, PhD, LSC, is Program Coordinator and Assistant Clinical Professor of School Counseling at the University of Dayton, where she teaches and advises graduate students in the School Counseling Master’s program. A Licensed School Counselor in Ohio, Brenda spent nine years as a high school counselor before becoming a counselor educator, and she advocates for a whole-child approach to counseling — modeling coping and calming tools, providing robust academic support, and destigmatizing mental illness. Much of her work centers on youth impacted by the foster care system.

She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Ohio State University, an M.A. in School Counseling from Eastern Michigan University, and a B.S. in Science Education from The Ohio State University. Brenda serves as Co-chair of the AANHPI Special Interest Group of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) and previously served as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). As an Independent Educational Consultant, Brenda’s practice focuses on personalized college and career counseling for all students, with special emphasis on those with learning and mental health challenges.

As a first-generation college student, Brenda knows firsthand what it means to navigate a path without a roadmap, and she is deeply committed to opening doors for underserved students and to equipping the counselors who serve them — a conviction that drew her to the mission of the IECA Foundation. She has served on the board of the Tri-Village Mentor League and volunteers with college-access and mentoring programs including UStrive, Matchlighters Scholars, and ScholarMatch. Brenda lives in Columbus, Ohio, and is the proud mother of two adult children and grandmother to a granddaughter she loves spending time with. An avid college football and wrestling fan, she cheers on her teams whenever she can.

Rosemary Tippett

Rosemary Tippett, M.A., has devoted her talents to adolescent treatment for over 30 years, in both the private and public sectors. Rosemary began her career while still in undergraduate school, working with a local department of juvenile justice, where she found her passion for assisting adolescents struggling with behavioral issues and academic weaknesses.

Rosemary’s passion for working with troubled youth has continued in a variety of professional positions, working directly with adolescent and parents groups, providing individual and family counseling, and conducting staff training and development.

Rosemary served as Program Director at an adolescent treatment facility for 10 years before moving to Atlanta in 1991. Rosemary spent the next 15 years working for a private adolescent treatment company specializing in addressing the needs of adolescents with behavioral, academic and related issues. It was at that time that Rosemary became a founding board member of The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). She remained on the board member as a volunteer for 8 years before joining the NATSAP staff as Director of Member Services. Following her years at NATSAP, Rosemary served the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) as its Outreach Coordinator. She then spent several years as Ex-Officio board member for NATSAP. Rosemary was later appointed to the Board of Directors for IECA and holds a current seat.

Rosemary has been consulting in private practice as an Educational Consultant working directly with families to help make specific recommendations for placement that will provide the opportunities necessary for adolescents and young adults to succeed.

Rosemary feels her time working directly with adolescent programs and schools, combined with her experience at both NATSAP and IECA, gives her a unique ability to assist families in making decisions regarding the needs of adolescents and young adults.

Rosemary is a professional member of IECA and continues to attend workshops and professional conferences in order to maintain current knowledge of schools and programs. Rosemary visits schools and programs throughout the United States and abroad on a regular basis.

Kelly Webster

Kelly has worked in education for over 20 years in a variety of traditional and therapeutic settings.  She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Juniata College and went on to pursue master’s coursework in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University. She was a dorm counselor and teacher before entering into administrative work as the Associate Executive Director of a therapeutic boarding school. She is presently the Director of Admissions at True North Evolution in Waitsfield, Vermont. 

Kelly is a natural connector and uses her warmth and compassion to guide students and families on a path of hope.  She connects with other professionals by serving as an elected board member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and presenting on topics including nutrition, milieu treatment and parenting strategies at national conferences and at boarding and day schools.  She and her husband have two school-age daughters and Kelly does her best to keep up with them as a swimming official, Girl Scout leader, PTO member and soccer coach.