Who’s Who

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Emily Mottahedeh

Director of College Guidance

emottahedeh@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×222

  • Ms. Mottahedeh joined the YOF team after spending ten years as Associate Director of College Counseling at Millennium Brooklyn High School, a selective and screened high school in Park Slope. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies and English from Hunter College as part of the Public Service Scholar Program and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Long Island University as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows Program. Outside of her role as Director of College Guidance, Ms. Mottahedeh is the Executive Director of Two By Twelve, a non-profit organization that uses music and the arts to improve and empower the lives of people impacted by serious illness.

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Cristine DePalo

College Guidance Counselor

cdepalo@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×212

  • Ms. DePalo is a seasoned College Guidance Counselor who has worked on both sides of the aisle. Prior to joining the Flatbush team, she worked as a School Counselor at a private parochial high school and as an Academic Counselor at both the University of Connecticut and St. Francis College. Ms. DePalo holds her Master's Degree in School and MentaI Health Counseling from Fordham University.

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Maria Dressler

College Guidance Counselor

mdressler@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×185

  • Ms. Dressler has been a beloved member of the Flatbush College Guidance Team since she started here. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Economics from Lafayette College and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Marywood University. Before joining the team at YOF, Mrs. Dressler worked in Undergraduate Admissions at both Pace University and Marywood University, bringing her a robust understanding of the college admissions process.

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Kristan Hall

College Guidance Counselor

khall@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×166

  • Ms. Hall is a College Guidance professional who has worked both in graduate admissions and high schools. A native of South Carolina, she graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Studio Art before receiving her Master's Degree in Liberal Arts from Georgetown University. Before coming to Flatbush, she was working in the Hunter College School of Education and brings with her an extensive understanding of the CUNY system.

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Samantha Tannenbaum

College Guidance Counselor

stannenbaum@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×130

  • Ms. Tannenbaum is a proud alumna of Syracuse University and Fordham University. She has served as both a college and guidance counselor at several highly regarded high schools across New York City. With a background in business and public relations, Ms. Tannenbaum brings expertise in communication, student mentorship, and strategic program development. At Yeshivah of Flatbush, she supports students through every stage of the college planning process with compassion, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the NYC educational landscape.

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Helen Kuznicki

Office Administrator

hkuznicki@flatbush.org
(718) 377-1100 ×214

  • Ms. Kuznicki works in the heart of the College Guidance office. As the Office Administrator, Ms. Kuznicki has developed an extensive understanding of Naviance, the college software used by Flatbush for document submission and manages every aspect of the College Guidance calendar, including the scheduling of application workshops, college representative visits and much more. She holds a Master's Degree in Special Education from Touro College.