We’ve developed a winning admissions support team, so that every student we work with gets the Golden Ticket polish. Meet us, below!
ARIEL MAZEL-GEE
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Ariel is dedicated to empowering young people to reach their greatest potential. Her insider's view of college admissions stems from several years on Stanford University's Undergraduate Admissions committee, where she evaluated thousands of applications from students around the country, and working in graduate admissions at University of Southern California. Since Golden Ticket's inception, Ariel has had the honor of guiding hundreds of students through the college admissions process.
As a lifelong learner, Ariel’s educational trajectory includes a bachelors from Stanford University and a masters from University of Southern California. She has been guiding students through the college admissions process in a multitude of capacities for over a decade.
Ariel combines her insider's knowledge with her expertise in personal narratives and passion for working with teens to help students of all levels craft unique and compelling college applications. When she’s not advising students, Ariel enjoys singing, spending time in nature, and making homemade artisanal ice cream.
CHELSEA
ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE & ESSAY COACH
Chelsea is an attorney at a boutique real estate and business law firm in Coral Gables, Florida. A passionate reader and writer, Chelsea received her bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and her law degree from the University of Miami.
Chelsea regularly judges law students in mock trial and moot court competitions, and is passionate about helping students reach their creative, argumentative, and essay writing potential.
Chelsea specializes in helping students hone their college and graduate school application essays with an eye toward making every word count.
JESS
ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE & ESSAY COACH
Jess is an attorney for a major Northern California health system. A true renaissance woman, Jess majored in Biology and Society, with a minor in Nutrition at Cornell University, where she graduated cum laude. While at Cornell, Jess had a bi-weekly column in the Cornell Daily Sun and served as an editor for the Ivy Journal of Ethics.
She then went on to receive her law degree (plot twist!) from New York University School of Law, where she was an editor for the NYU Review of Law and Social Change. When she's not writing or lawyering, Jess works as a certified yoga teacher and often teaches yoga classes in Bay Area parks.
As a lawyer, scientist, yogi, and writer, Jess loves helping students find their unique stories and telling them with passion (and proper use of commas!).
PEARL
ADMISSIONS ASSOCIATE & ESSAY COACH
Pearl is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CA. She received her bachelor's degree in English Literature; Criticism & Theory from the University of California, Davis, and went on to complete her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.
While working with teens in all realms, Pearl supports the development of communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a strong sense of self in an ever-changing world. She has worked extensively for organizations in Development & Communications roles, creating and editing print & digital media, sourcing and refining program content and stories, and promoting organizational goals through writing and publications.
Pearl brings her skills in communications and writing to this team by holding the dignity of each student’s story as central to their college admissions goals, and supporting students in highlighting and capturing their unique voices and lived experiences.
LEAH
DIRECTOR OF GOLDEN TICKET'S COLLEGE LINK PROGRAM
Leah is a licensed occupational therapist. Leah graduated with a BS in psychology from UF, an MA in Occupational Therapy from USC, and a clinical doctorate (OTD) from the University of Chicago. Leah's doctoral work focused on supportive mental health and wellness services for university students. Leah strongly believes in the value of education and is passionate about making college an accessible and healthy experience for all students.
At Golden Ticket, she specializes in providing personalized support and guidance for students as they navigate the next phase in their educational journeys. She uses a student-centered, strength-based, supported education-informed approach to help students plan their academic transition, select programs and majors, set wellness goals, gain organizational skills, and learn to self-advocate for disability services and accommodations that will enhance their college experience.
SKYLAR
STANDARDIZED TESTING SPECIALIST & ACT COACH
Skylar is a third-year student at Stanford University, where he studies Mechanical Engineering and Dutch Language. He specializes in helping students tackle the ACT Test, and prides himself on his no-nonsense, no-time-wasted approach to mastering the exam. Over the past four years, he has worked with students at all stages of preparing for the ACT and knows how to meet students exactly where they are in the process.
Skylar was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area but loves traveling the world every chance he gets. He took a year abroad in The Netherlands during the pandemic, where he worked at a concrete 3-D printing startup and as a Dutch-English translator.