OWNER, DIANNE ARMSTRONG, COLLEGE CONSULTANT
BACKGROUND
After graduating from Hockaday, a private all-girls school in Dallas, Texas, I attended Stanford University where I received my B.A. with Distinction and Honors in International Relations. I also received my MBA from Harvard Business School after working for JP Morgan on Wall Street. After business school, I moved to Canada with my Canadian spouse-to-be and never left. For over 15 years, I worked in the investment industry at large financial institutions such as RBC Dominion Securities, CIBC and Mackenzie Financial and then began my own financial consulting company Thornbury Financial in 2006. My clients have ranged from small businesses, to not-for-profits to private client individuals.
EDUCATION ENTHUSIAST
Despite significant business experience, what I'm most proud of is my zealous commitment to and involvement in my own children's education. I have been an active volunteer at my children's schools, immersing myself in the trends and nuances of education. I have served on the Parent's Associations of St. Clement's, Crescent and Greenwood schools for multiple years, including executive roles at two of the three schools. In addition, I have been a member of the Endowment Subcommittee of the Board of St. Clement's School. I have kept in touch with my alma matters through reunions, club-based events and interviewing potential undergraduates.
EXPERIENCE
I had my 'aha' moment about entering this profession when I helped my own daughter with her university search. I realized there was a need for accredited college consultants to help students discover, distinguish between and apply to the plethora of programs available today. I know first-hand how much preparation, organization and thought goes into the university search and application process, especially when applying to competitive or niche programs. This is even more the case when searching outside of Canada. Looking back, I wish I had relied on a college consultant to supplement the school guidance counsellor and to ease the family stress that often exists during this uncertain time. I have learned how important it is for students to be strategic in their course and extracurricular selections as early as grade nine and look forward to sharing my insights and tips with students and parents alike. Above all, in my process, I stress the importance of self reflection to determine best fit and that 'where you go is not who you will be'.
To prepare myself for this venture, I completed my Independent Educational Certificate from University of California (Irvine), a program that provides the necessary knowledge to navigate the university admissions process and meet the needs of varied clients. This 18-month program equipped me with the tools, global network and strategies to assist students in searches in Canada, the US and globally. I completed my Practicum working with a Varsity athlete at an elite US boarding school looking to attend an NCAA university.
I am a student member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), committed to the highest integrity and ethics of the industry. Each year, I attend a variety of college webinars, conferences and university tours so I can stay informed and able to help my clients with the rapidly changing admissions process and trends. In the past, I have served as an alumni interviewer for the universities of both Harvard and Stanford.
HOBBIES
When I'm not working with clients, I love travelling, hiking, skiing and cycling. I have promised my husband that I'll soon learn to golf, but at this point, it's a love/hate relationship. My favorite weekend activity is enjoying the outdoors with my spouse and my three children at our second home in the Town of Blue Mountains, or visiting two of those three children at their current residences in Vancouver and Vermont!