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Phyllis S. Steinbrecher
Our founder Phyllis Steinbrecher has been an educational consultant for individuals and public and private school systems for over thirty-five years. In 1977 she founded our practice and guided our work until her retirement. She now serves as Consultant Emeritus. She is the author of Getting Into the College of Your Choice and co-authored, with Edward B. Fiske, Get Organized! She also co-authored You CAN Say No to Your Teenager - and Other Strategies for Effective Parenting. Before retirement, Phyllis spoke frequently to parent groups and professional about the college admissions process and trained college counselors both in the United States and overseas. Phyllis taught in the New York City and Connecticut school systems. She holds an undergraduate degree from the New York University School of Education and a Masters Degree in counseling from Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Education. She is a certified counselor in the State of Connecticut and has been a member and officer of many national and international professional associations. As a Director of the Educational Policy Council, Phyllis served as a faculty member for the Council’s internationally recognized Educational Advising seminar series. Diederik van Renesse 
Diederik’s twenty-four years as a teacher, admission
director and private school college counselor
have continued to serve him and his clients well
as a Senior Partner at Steinbrecher & Partners.
In addition to advising national and international
families on relocation, day, boarding school and
college placements, he has extensive experience
working with youngsters who require special needs
and alternative schools, or interventions and
therapeutic settings. This intensive, time-sensitive
work has earned him the respect of hundreds of
therapists, school counselors, clients, programs
and schools.
After each original placement, Diederik follows up in person, by phone, mail, and email to monitor the progress of his students, assuring the appropriateness of the placement and helping the family and student prepare for the next step. Because this process usually includes multiple stages (boarding school and college), Diederik develops and nurtures ongoing relationships with his clients. Diederik has lived and studied abroad and also specializes in helping international families find appropriate school and college settings for their children. Diederik has been and is a frequent presenter and participant at professional conferences and his memberships include NATSAP, SSATB, NACAC and other professional organizations. Richard Avitabile 
Richard Avitabile brings thirty years of college
admission experience to Steinbrecher & Partners.
He has directed admissions offices at colleges
in the New York metropolitan area, including
Fordham and Pace Universities. He served as
Assistant Vice President for Enrollment at New York
University from 1991 to 2002 during the decade
when NYU strengthened both its national reputation
and the academic quality of its students. Rich has
also worked with issues in international education
and chaired the North American College Committee
of the European Council of International Schools.
Rich earned graduate degrees in counseling at Fordham University where he received certification as a secondary school counselor. He also completed his BA in history at Fordham. At professional meetings Rich frequently speaks about the transition from high school to college as well as marketing and strategic planning for college admissions. His insights on higher education have been reported in such news media as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and WABC. He has also contributed to books on college admission and has served on advisory committees for College Board and the National Association of College Admission Counseling. He has evaluated scholarship candidates for the ETS Scholarship and Recognition Program and the WGA Scholars Program. He was a charter member of the Lakeland School Education Foundation and served as a trustee of the Loyola School in Manhattan. Rich belongs to the National Association of College Admission Counseling, and the regional organizations for New England and New York. Meghan Lahey 
Meghan Lahey joins Steinbrecher & Partners from
Mamaroneck High School, where she worked successfully
with students and their families as a school counselor.
During her nine year tenure there, Meghan ran two
comprehensive school leadership programs - Caprice
Advisors and Peer Leaders - helping scores of students
develop their talents and abilities. Meghan’s day didn’t
end with the bell; she put in extra hours getting to know
her students by coaching lacrosse, soccer, cross country
and indoor winter track.
Meghan’s holistic approach has enabled her to successfully place hundreds of diverse students. From athletes to artists to adolescents with learning differences, Meghan connects with teenagers, works with them to reach their scholastic and leadership potential, then helps them select the appropriate school. Meghan is a certified school counselor. She holds an EdM and MA in counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an AB in psychology from Smith College. She is also certified in conflict resolution and peer mediation. top |