Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann LaFemina.
Hi Ann , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in education on Long Island, New York, where I spent years teaching and working as an adjunct professor with future educators. I loved the work, but the turning point came when my own children began their college search. Walking through that process with them opened my eyes to how overwhelming and uneven the admissions world can feel for families.
That experience naturally led me into college consulting. When we moved to southwestern Florida in 2008, I launched my private practice. What began with a few families quickly became a full roster of students with a wide range of interests. Over the years, I’ve become especially experienced with applicants to the visual and performing arts, helping them navigate auditions, portfolios, and all the moving parts that come with those paths.
I’ve always believed in staying current and connected, so I’ve kept up with professional organizations, mentored new counselors, and continued volunteering. Eventually, I stepped into leadership at Cardinal Mooney High School as both Department Chair and Dean of Academic Services, where I built and led a comprehensive college counseling program.
Today, as part of the JRA team, I bring together everything I’ve learned from the classroom, higher ed, school-based counseling, and private consulting. My work has always centered on helping students discover who they are, where they want to go, and how to present themselves authentically. That’s really the throughline of my entire career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a perfectly smooth road, but the challenges have shaped me into a stronger and more adaptable counselor. When I first transitioned from the classroom to private consulting, I had to learn how to build a practice from the ground up. Families were looking for guidance, but I had to earn their trust and establish a reputation one student at a time.
Another challenge is keeping up with the rapid changes in college admissions. The landscape shifts constantly—testing policies, program requirements, and financial aid. I work with students interested in a wide range of areas, including business, STEM, and the humanities. Over time, I have also developed a strong specialty in visual and performing arts applicants and athletes, as their processes can be especially complex. Staying current across all of those fields pushed me to remain deeply involved in professional organizations and ongoing training so I could give families the most accurate, up-to-date guidance.
And in my school-based role, leading a department meant balancing administrative responsibilities with student-centered work. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to build systems, mentor colleagues, and manage the bigger picture while still keeping students at the center.
Looking back, every challenge forced me to level up, and I think that’s why I’m such a flexible, forward-thinking consultant I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an educational consultant dedicated to guiding students and families through the college admissions process. I specialize in helping students discover their strengths, clarify their goals, and craft compelling applications that reflect who they are. I work closely with students across a wide range of interests, including the arts, academics, and career-focused pathways.
I am part of Winter Park College Consultants, a division of JRA Judi Robinovitz Associates, which allows me to combine the personalized, hands-on approach of a highly tailored educational consultancy with the resources and expertise of a well-established organization. This partnership enables me to offer students tailored guidance while staying current on evolving admissions trends and strategies.
What I’m most proud of is seeing my students succeed in ways that feel authentic to them, whether that’s gaining admission to their dream schools, securing scholarships, or discovering a path that genuinely excites them. I believe what sets me apart is my commitment to understanding each student’s unique story and translating it into a strategic, thoughtful, and compelling plan for their future.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d love to share a little about our team and what makes us so effective. Winter Park College Consultants is part of JRA Judi Robinovitz Associates, founded by Judi Robinovitz, a highly respected educational consultant with decades of experience guiding students and families through the college admissions process. Judi built her practice on the belief that every student has a unique story, and her expertise spans academics, the arts, and specialized career-focused pathways.
Our team carries forward that philosophy, combining Judi’s guidance and standards of excellence with our own specialized knowledge. We work collaboratively to provide students with strategic, thoughtful, and highly personalized support. Families can trust that they’re receiving expert advice rooted in years of experience, delivered in a way that celebrates each student’s individuality and potential.
Pricing:
- Our services are personalized and tailored to each student’s needs, and families are encouraged to contact us so we can recommend the most appropriate plan for their goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.winterparkcollegeconsultants.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winterparkcollegeconsultants
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/score-at-the-top/posts/?feedView=all
- Other: https://www.jraeducationalconsulting.com/ and https://www.scoreatthetop.com/webinars
Image Credits
Educational Consultant Ellen Valladares
Educational Consultant Kathy Hart
Certified Educational Planner, Founder/Co-Owner Judi Robinovitz
Jason Robinovitz C0-Owner/COO/General Counsel
