Shari Powell, Founder and Principal, draws on her life-long experience in market research, marketing, education, and financial planning, as well as working with youth and parenting to create a positive, personalized college search and selection process for your student.

Shari is a Professional Level Member of IECA, the highest designation. She recently served three years as Co-chair of the NJ IECA Regional Group, responsible for programming for nearly 100 members and often mentors younger consultants, sharing her experience from more than a decade in the field. She is also a member of the New Jersey Association for College Admissions Counseling (NJACAC).

Prior to forming Creating College Options, Shari worked at Princeton University as an outside admissions reader and as an alumni interviewer for Tufts University. Shari holds an MBA in Market Research from the Wharton School. Her professional experience in Marketing and Market Research with major firms such as Merrill Lynch and Opinion Research enables her to share career insights with her students, and create a unique, stand-out positioning for their applications.

Shari is passionate about the power of education to enrich lives. She holds a BA, cum laude, in French and Art History from Tufts University and is a staunch advocate for education.  She spent nearly a decade as President and Fundraising Chair for the Princeton Education Foundation, raising private funding to support public schools.  Her strategic communication plan for the Princeton Schools Get out the Vote Campaign, supporting an $81 million Bond referendum, won a state award for communication excellence.

Shari loves working with teens; and her decades of involvement with youth organizations, including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTOs and sports teams provides a wealth of ideas and opportunities for her students.

Shari has raised two young adults who are now proud college graduates.  Her goal is to create great college options for all of her students!