Dr. Marta Beede, Ed.D.

Marta Beede, Ed.D. is the Founder and Director of Thrive Educational Advising Group. Dr. Beede brings expertise from both higher education and K-12 environments. She has worked with students and colleges and universities in various roles, and has distinguished herself by bringing a strength-based approach to her work with students. Prior to launching THRIVE, Marta served in higher education and independent school leadership in Vermont and New York City, and has also worked in higher education and K-12 leadership, student advising and services, and admissions.

Marta has worked with students with a variety of learning profiles and is passionate about understanding each student’s strengths and assisting them in developing an understanding of themselves as a learner, and assisting them in realizing their educational goals and aspirations.

Marta has also provided leadership to institutional leaders and student service and admissions teams from leading institutions across the US and Canada. Working closely with multiple independent schools, colleges and universities, and admissions teams has provided her with the unique opportunity to gain an insider's view of the campus culture and programs at leading institutions across the country. 

As the Site Director for the Civic Leadership Institute an award-winning collaborative project between Johns Hopkins and Northwestern University, she had the opportunity to support the development of socially responsible young leaders. She continues to spend some time teaching Sociology to undergraduates allowing her to approach the college admission process with a deep familiarity with what students need to be ‘college ready’. Her commitment to educational access and success has been a central theme throughout her career, and continues to inform her work with students. 

Dr. Beede has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Vermont, an M.S. from Northeastern University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Vermont. She has achieved a Professional level Membership with the Independent Educational Consulting Association (IECA) which allows her to collaborate with other senior educational consultants and bring a strong network of resources and current information on K-12 and Higher Education trends to her work.

Susan Wertheimer, M.Ed.

Susan Wertheimer, M.Ed., is a partner in Thrive Educational Advising Group and focuses her practice in the area of College Advising and also serves as an Essay Specialist and Scholarship Coordinator. Susan served as Senior Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Vermont during a career spanning three decades. Throughout her career Susan had the opportunity build relationships with schools and school counselors throughout the country. Over the course of her career, Susan has reviewed thousands of college applications, read countless student essays, and has served on the University’s admissions committee, making important and challenging decisions about applicants’ fit and preparation for liberal arts and professional programs. This experience has prepared her well to assist students throughout all phases of the admissions process. Susan also draws on her extensive background reading essays and serves as an Essay Specialist at Thrive.

Through her professional involvement and commitment, Susan developed a special interest in counseling first-generation and diverse populations – and their families – in making the transition to college or post-secondary training and certification, now using this knowledge to provide college counseling with Scholar Match. She also currently serves on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club in Burlington, Vermont. At Thrive, Susan uses the depth of her experience in these areas to act as the Scholarship Coordinator for Thrive’s ‘Women Thriving’ Leadership Scholarship that awards promising young diverse women with a scholarship award to support their goals in pursuing higher education and earning a degree.

Susan has achieved a Professional level Membership of the Independent Educational Consulting Association (IECA), is a member of the Higher Education Consulting Association (HECA) and has completed the certificate in School Counseling through the UCLA Extension program. Her extensive background as an Admissions insider and in a college advising role allows her to bring a strong familiarity with the admissions process, essay writing, and an admissions lens to the process.

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