“My journey as an international student began with Ms. Marcia Ling, who inspired and shaped me into the person I am today. She took a mother role while I was studying away from home. Thank you Ms. Marcia Ling for years of help and care.”
-Derek Guo, University of Virginia
Marcia Ling – Chief Executive Officer – Marcia is originally from China. She has decades of successful experience supporting students and families from all over the world at both high school and university levels. In China she was an electrical engineer with the National Electric Apparatus Research Institute, a representative of Taiwan Film Making and Director of Marketing for Hong Kong Apolo International Shipping Co. After arriving in the USA in 1992 she owned and operated a language translation company and an international student’s educational exchange program. She has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and a master’s degree in Mathematics from Brigham Young University. She loves teaching and working with students. She has taught math at Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Snow College as Associate Professor, and at Wasatch Academy where she was chairman of the Math Department. She has been Director of International Program for three high schools in Utah overseeing hundreds of international students from all over the world. She not only has the ability to place international students in the high school and college in USA that is the best fit for them, but she also has the knowledge and passion to provide supervision, mentoring, college counseling and tutoring services for international students and to be a resource for family members visiting the USA. She loves and cares about each student and is excited about helping them fulfill their goals.
Douglas Braithwaite – Partner – Dr. Braithwaite is a native of Utah where he now resides. He has lived and worked in many locations in the USA and abroad, the majority of his professional life based in Boston. He earned an undergraduate degree from Utah State University. After serving as a Marine Corps infantry officer in Viet Nam he earned both a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS). He has held management positions at Digital Equipment Corporation (where he was Manager of University Research), and is Principal, DBA and Associates, (a consulting firm focused on expanding strategic alliances between universities, the private sector, and governments now merging with ML&A). Dr. Braithwaite has managed rural development projects in Russia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He has professional relationships with top tier universities, major corporations, and senior government officials. Dr. Braithwaite is a former Director of MBA Admissions, Harvard Business School and has remained active in all levels of admissions processes in the USA and abroad. As such, he is experienced in leading individuals through the many steps of achieving their education objectives and building dynamic careers.
James Evans – Marketing Manager & Student Support – James earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. James has worked in various Financial Analyst positions in L3 Harris Technologies over the past 12 years. He also has more than 5 years experience in various marketing roles managing small businesses. During his time at Westminster he had the privilege of studying businesses in China where he visited Xi’an, Shanghai, and Beijing. James has a love for the Chinese culture and people. He is excited to help students reach their dreams and goals while they study here in the United States.
Kade Wadesworth – Career Coach – While in high school he learned what he wanted in a career and laid out a strategic long-term plan to get there. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate. He then started his career at Hines Interests, one of the largest privately- and family-owned real estate groups in the world. He initially worked in their headquarter office in Houston, Texas as a lead Analyst on a private equity fund management team investing in commercial real estate in Russia, Poland, and China. From there he moved to their Salt Lake City, Utah office as Associate on an Acquisitions and Development team, where he was involved in acquisitions, asset management, and dispositions of local commercial real estate. All this prepared him to join his family business, where he currently provides a seasoned external perspective and all-around financial support to underwrite and structure new investment opportunities in commercial real estate throughout the intermountain west. In addition, his natural ability to connect people with opportunities along his own path has helped several people find successful opportunities throughout his career. He is eager to help others walk the paths he has already walked.
Katie Holman – Host Family Coordinator – I attended Southern Utah University, studying Psychology and French. While there, I worked at the Family Support and Treatment Center. We took care of children who were removed from their homes due to physical violence or drug abuse in the home. Later that year, I studied abroad in Paris for 2 months studying French. The following 3 years, I attended Utah Valley University, graduating with my bachelors degree in Psychology. During that time, I interned at Division of Child and Family Services. Here, I helped foster children transition into adulthood. I helped them find jobs and apartments. I taught classes on basic life skills that they didn’t have the privilege of learning as they grew up in the foster care system. I got married in 2008, to Skyler Holman. We now have three kids. Now I work as a professional skin care and makeup consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. I have enjoyed my career with Mary Kay for the last 10 years. We have had five Chinese students in our home over the years. We love them and enjoy getting to know each of them as they become a part of our family.