Leah Messing, Founder and Lead Essay Coach, earned a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and graduated as an Athena Scholar from Barnard’s Athena Center for Women’s Leadership Studies.

She has worked with hundreds of students in South Florida, nationally, and internationally. She understands the high level of stress brought on by the process and actively worked to change that culture during her time as a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

The Challenge Success founders invited Leah to be a student speaker at the Challenge Success Fall 2009 National Conference in Palo Alto, CA, where she addressed over two thousand people about the stress brought on by the college admissions process.

She has also given presentations on college essays, writing, and organizational skills at high schools, community events, and nonprofits in Miami-Dade County.

Leah's students have been accepted to Babson College, Boston University, Cornell University, Davidson College, Florida State University, Northeastern University, University of Michigan, University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, Villanova University, Wake Forest University, Williams College, Yale University, and more. 

Becca Webb earned her B.A. from Bard College, majoring in Literature, and studied at Hertford College, Oxford. After a seven-year career in television development, she returned to school to earn her Master’s degree in American Literature at the University of Chicago.

Becca has worked at Bard College’s Writing Center as a Writing Fellow, for Varsity Tutors as an English and College Essay Tutor, for The University of Chicago’s writing program as a Lector, and at the Community Colleges of Chicago as a Writing and English Tutor, helping hundreds of students from high school freshmen to Master’s candidates find success. In addition to working with students, Becca writes poetry and non-fiction essays.

Becca's students have been accepted to Boston College, Brown University, Duke University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Southern Methodist University, Tulane University, University of Florida, University of Miami and more.

Mindy Zane Rosenthal earned a B.A. in History from Cornell University and a M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught middle and high school English and history, edited curricula, and worked as a freelance writer and editor. In her most recent role as a College Admission Application Coordinator for a high school in Miami, she guided seniors through the application process and edited their essays and supplemental materials. A recent empty-nester, she has two young adult children who have been through the college application process, and she has lived to tell the tales.

Mindy’s students have been accepted to Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, University of California Berkeley, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, Syracuse University, and more.

Lynne Z. Petkovic holds a diverse educational background, graduating with a B.A. from Dartmouth College, a J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School, and an M.Ed. from John Carroll University. With over 30 years of teaching experience spanning from pre-school to graduate level, she has honed her expertise in guiding students through various stages of their academic journey. For more than 15 years, Lynne has specialized in offering invaluable guidance on college essays, leveraging her extensive background in education and law to provide students with insightful feedback and strategies for crafting compelling applications. Her dedication and expertise have resulted in countless success stories, with her students earning acceptances to prestigious institutions such as University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Alabama, Baylor University, Dartmouth College, High Point University, Middlebury College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, University of Florida, WashU in St. Louis, Yale University, and many more. and many more. Lynne's passion for education extends beyond the classroom, as she remains committed to empowering students to reach their full potential and achieve their academic aspirations. Her multifaceted approach combines her legal acumen, educational insights, and personalized guidance to ensure each student receives the support they need to succeed in their college admissions journey.