Our Foundation: Excellence Through Near-Peer Mentorship.
Dewey Smart was founded by Michael Gao, a Columbia University student with a vision to democratize access to top-tier academic guidance. Today, that vision thrives under the leadership of our Core Strategy Team and a network of 50+ exceptional mentors from Ivy League and Top 50 universities. We remain committed to the original mission: connecting ambitious students with near-peer mentors who provide the most current, personalized insights into competitive admissions and academic excellence.
The Core Strategy Team: Operational Excellence.
Boris Berenberg
Owner & CEO
Boris is focused on modernizing the student platform, driving data-informed decisions, and ensuring every client benefits from the highest standard of operational stability.
Emerson Blais
Admissions Director
A veteran educator, Emerson is a former Teacher, College Counselor, International School Principal, and Education Consultant with 16+ years of experience guiding students into top US, UK, and international universities. He leads Dewey Smart's team, designing academic, extracurricular, and admissions strategies, upholding rigorous standards, and ensuring consistently high-impact outcomes for students and families across our Tutoring, Test Prep, and College Counseling services.