Cynthia Torres
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Strategic, results-oriented independent educational consultant executive with strong communication skills. Lead an independent education consultancy firm devoted to guiding students and their parents through the college admissions process. Have served thousands of students and families in Southern California, the US West Coast, throughout the US, and around the world. Frequent conference speaker and panelist. Key expertise in college admissions.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
President
College Decisions LLC
Los Angeles, CA
01.2010 - Current
- Founded and lead education consulting services company, delivering comprehensive college admissions counseling services each year to dozens of high school students in California, across the US, and internationally.
- Develop and execute customized admissions and financial aid strategies each year.
- Company's revenues tripled in 2021-2023.
- 60% of students each year are admitted to Top 25 colleges and universities.
- College Counselor with College Match Los Angeles, a Community Based Organization; 15% of clients are pro bono.
Director of Marketing and Client Service
Diamond Portfolio Advisors, LLC
Los Angeles, CA
09.2000 - 12.2009
- Spearheaded company's marketing and client service team, with full-charge duties for managing corporate institutional asset management business.
- Established cross-functional work team to problem-solve and engage in strategic decision making.
- Worked collaboratively with hundreds of asset consultants and other industry professionals.
Founder and President
Integrity Investments Consultants LLC
Hong Kong
07.1996 - 07.1998
- Led this advisory firm's client service team, developing company and product launches in South East Asia.
- Provided strategic advice to US and UK investment firm CEOs about how to approach the South East Asian market.
- Consulted to Hong Kong's leading trust bank, The Bank of Bermuda, on their launch of an industry-leading 401-K style retail investment product line.
Senior Vice President, Institutional Asset Mgmt
Fidelity Investments
Hong Kong
06.1992 - 06.1996
- Co-led Fidelity's $10 billion institutional asset management business in South East Asia.
- Drove asset growth of 30%, exceeding expectations.
- Managed portfolios for South East Asian corporations, financial companies, government agencies, universities, and nonprofits.
- Developed and launched the Fidelity Advantage Portfolio Fund for South East Asian pension funds, amassing $10 billion in assets.
Education
College Counseling
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA12.2021
MBA - Marketing And Finance
Harvard Business School
Boston, MA06.1984
Bachelor of Arts - Government
Harvard College
Cambridge, MA06.1980
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Frequent public speaker
- Consulting
- Program oversight
- Revenue Growth
- Financial Leadership,Management, and Administration
- Strategic Planning
- Project Management
- Business planning and administration
- Staff Management
- Collaboration
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Digital Marketing
Accomplishments
- Harvard Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Service, 2018.
- Past President, Harvard Alumni Association, 2014-2015.
- Distinguished Service Award, Financial Oversight Committee, Santa Monica School District, 2014.
- Distinguished Service Award, Harvard Club of Southern California, 2013.
- Keynote Speaker, Harvard Business School Adelante Conference, 2017 and 2018.
- Keynote Speaker, Harvard First Generation Commencement, 2017.
Affiliations
- Higher Education Consultants Association
- National Association for College Admission Counseling
- Independent Educational Consultants Association (Professional Member)
- College Counseling Alliance (Co-Founder)
- Western Association for College Admission Counseling
- College Match Los Angeles
- Harvard Alumni Association (Current ex-officio board member; Executive Committee Member (2009-2019), President, 2014-2015)
- Financial Women's Association of Hong Kong (Past President)
- Harvard Club of Southern California (Past President); currently serve as Vice President, Communications
- Financial Oversight Committee, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (Past Chair)
Timeline
President
College Decisions LLC
01.2010 - Current
Director of Marketing and Client Service
Diamond Portfolio Advisors, LLC
09.2000 - 12.2009
Founder and President
Integrity Investments Consultants LLC
07.1996 - 07.1998
Senior Vice President, Institutional Asset Mgmt
Fidelity Investments
06.1992 - 06.1996
College Counseling
University of California - Los Angeles
MBA - Marketing And Finance
Harvard Business School
Bachelor of Arts - Government
Harvard College