Meet Our Team

Kelly Brandes, Certified Educational Planner (C.E.P.)

Kelly earned her degree from the University of Florida School of Education and began her career as a teacher. Later, she chose to attend Tulane University School of Law where she served as a Teacher’s Assistant for the Legal Research and Writing course. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with the Order of the Coif distinction. She was selected as a law clerk for Chief Justice Pascal Calogero at The Louisiana Supreme Court where she evaluated writ applications and drafted judicial opinions. She also had the honor of clerking for former New Orleans Mayor, Judge Moon Landrieu and later practiced automotive insurance defense.

After Kelly and her husband, Bruce, started a family, she made the decision to return to her first passion, teaching. She has over 20 years of classroom instruction including AP English Language and AP English Literature and Composition. In addition to her experience in the classroom, Kelly leads a student tutoring business serving the academic needs of students from middle school through high school. As her students began to approach the college selection and application process, they turned to her for guidance and essay writing support. For over ten years, Kelly has been assisting students in navigating the college admissions process by helping them to gain confidence, discover their core values, find their areas of strength, and research potential colleges. Kelly ensures that their gifts, talents, and accomplishments are compellingly presented in their applications. With her English background, she especially enjoys helping students find their voice in writing an impactful personal narrative and meaningful supplemental essays. A self-proclaimed wordsmith, she knows the power in selecting the right words to express one’s thoughts and helps her students to stand out.

Kelly also holds a degree in Conflict Resolution from Lipscomb University. She is a member of the Florida Bar Association and Louisiana Bar Association and holds teaching certificates in Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee. She currently serves on the University of Central Florida Parent & Family council which creates quality programs and opportunities for underserved students.

Kelly is a Certified Educational Planner through the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP) and is a Professional Member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).