Global Elite Scholars
At Global Elite Scholars, our mission is to guide students and families around the world through the complex journey of university admissions. We believe higher education is more than rankings or destinations - it's a transformative journey of self-discovery, growth and empowerment. With a global perspective, global offices, and personalized support, we help students find their way to success. Patricia worked for the University Southern of California (USC) and has 20+ years of higher education advising. Click on our pictures to find out more!
Patricia O’ Keefe - The Diplomat
Founder and Senior Admissions Advisor
Patricia O’Keefe is one of the world’s top independent college counselors and one of only 280 Certified Educational Counselors globally. As Founder of Global Elite Scholars and 2025–2026 Chair of the IECA Global Committee, she brings over 25 years of experience in international educational consulting. Her background includes leadership roles at the University of Southern California’s International offices in Japan, and degrees from UCLA, Keio University慶 応 大 学 , La Sorbonne, and USC. More importantly, she has guided students into Stanford, Brown, U Michigan, Berkeley, Cornell and amazing liberal arts colleges in the U.S. as well as programs in the U.K., EU, Canada, Hong Kong and Singpore.
Patricia is dedicated to helping students thrive across borders with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Lloyd Paradiso - The Godfather
They call him “The Godfather” for a reason. As a founding member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), Lloyd has spent more than forty years guiding students through the twists and turns of admissions. From athletes to boarding school applicants to the most complicated cases, he’s seen—and solved—it all. No matter how the landscape of higher education shifts, Lloyd’s persistence and expertise lead students to extraordinary results.
Sarah Bolasevich - The Bridge Builder
With master’s degrees from both Harvard University and Fudan University, Sarah embodies the best of East and West. Fluent in Mandarin and deeply connected to global education, she spent years at a leading international school in Shanghai, helping students cross borders—literally and figuratively—in pursuit of their dreams. From the U.S. to the U.K., from Europe to Asia-Pacific, Sarah builds pathways that connect ambition to opportunity.
Cindy He - The Student Whisperer
Cindy has a gift for seeing what makes each student unique—and helping them see it too. A graduate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University with international experience through overseas exchange programs, she brings nearly a decade of expertise in the study-abroad field. Trusted by both students and parents, Cindy guides young people to discover their voice, strengthen their communication, and step into their full potential—one conversation at a time.
