People
The Momentum Network
Students work with a small team who bring recent, firsthand experience navigating selective admissions. Our advisors understand how applications are evaluated today and work closely with students to provide clear strategy, strong writing support, and steady guidance throughout the process.
Raj Hamlai
Founder
Raj Hamlai
Founder
Founder
Raj combines a passion for education with a strategic mindset. He holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Geophysics & Planetary Physics from UCLA and secured early admission to the UChicago Booth MBA program, where he is currently in his deferral period. Since 2019 Raj has been guiding students through the college admissions process with insight and dedication. He is accomplished musician with an ABRSM piano diploma, Raj also sang with UCLA’s Grammy-winning Chamber Singers throughout his undergraduate years. His background—spanning academics, business, and the arts—enables him to mentor students on everything from competitive academic applications to polished arts supplements, ensuring they present a complete and compelling candidacy.
Natalie Baltimore
Principal Consultant
Natalie Baltimore
Principal Consultant
Principal Consultant
Natalie brings a profound dedication to global service and a sharp strategic insight to Momentum College Prep. She holds a BA in International Development from UCLA as well as a MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. With extensive expertise in strategic development and nonprofit management, she is deeply committed to Momentum’s mission: to empower students through expert, personalized college admissions counseling, helping them gain access to transformative educational opportunities. Natalie’s unwavering commitment to service and her keen strategic insight play a vital role in shaping the future of aspiring students around the world, guiding them toward success in their academic journeys.
Dr. Joy Li
Senior Consultant
Dr. Joy Li
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Joy blends deep knowledge of academic research with experience in mentoring students in different parts of their academic journey. She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell, as well as an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Joy has 9 years of experience in interdisciplinary research, including expertise in Spectroscopy, nanoplasmonic platforms, and machine learning. She has co-authored 8 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented her work at multiple international conferences. Joy has a lifelong passion for teaching, serving as a teaching assistant for 5 semesters in university, as well as teaching dance, figure skating, and aerial arts throughout her life. During her studies, she has mentored high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in research projects. Her experience in mentoring and research will help her guide students towards academic success.
Leah Chen
Senior Consultant
Leah Chen
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Leah is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she received her Bachelor's in Physics and a minor in Public Health while on the pre-medical track. She is currently located in Amsterdam, where she is pursuing her Master’s of International Public Health on a Fulbright Scholarship. She hopes to use her public health studies in a medical career, where she hopes to integrate patient connections with wide-scale public health change. Leah is an experienced consultant for college admissions, and she prioritizes a patient, creative, yet ambitious approach toward crafting a strong narrative for college applicants. Leah also has an extensive research background both in nanoparticle physics and public health. In her spare time, Leah enjoys long distance running—she is currently training for her fourth marathon. Between strong academics and depth of extracurricular activity, Leah is equipped to guide students to craft a well-rounded and effective application.
Katie Jain
Senior Consultant
Katie Jain
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Katie is passionate about mentorship and dedicated to helping students grow into confident, capable storytellers. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Brown University with a double major in History and International & Public Affairs. Katie brings experience as a university Teaching Assistant and SAT tutor, and is especially excited about supporting students interested in the humanities, social justice, and community engagement. She has worked closely with children through volunteer tutoring and enrichment programs, and enjoys reading, chess, and puzzle games in her free time.
Robert Farbman
Senior Consultant
Robert Farbman
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Robert is passionate about helping students succeed in the college application process. He holds a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and is fresh off of the application process to begin pursuing his J.D. this fall. He has years of experience teaching students, guiding writers as an undergraduate law review editor, and mentoring incoming transfers to Cornell, which he uses to help students navigate the admissions process with confidence. At Cornell, Robert landed competitive internships spanning legal research abroad, corporate financial compliance in NYC, and federal agency work across the United States, while singing in an a cappella group and being part of a fraternity. His breadth of experience makes him a strong guide for applicants looking to craft compelling applications and present themselves authentically.
Adurey Wijono
Senior Consultant
Adurey Wijono
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Audrey’s mentorship centers care and curiosity to support students in their goals. They are a recent graduate of Brown University with a B.A. in History, and are currently working with the United Nations. Audrey brings experience supporting students through personal statements and supplemental essays, with a focus on crafting thoughtful, individualized narratives. With a background in the arts, creative writing, and historical research, they believe every student has their own authentic voice. Audrey’s priority is to equip students with everything they need to articulate themselves with clarity and confidence.
Allison Nathan
Senior Consultant
Allison Nathan
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Allison is passionate about learning and excited about helping others achieve their fullest potential. She is a third year student at Dartmouth College majoring in Biology and minoring in International Studies and Spanish on a pre-health track. Allison is excited about science and global health policy--working in a polio research lab and on a variety of Global Health Programs at Dartmouth. She has studied and worked abroad in both Peru and Argentina and is passionate about travelling and intercultural understanding. In her free time, Allison trains triathlon on her college club team, volunteers at the local VA, and enjoys cooking and hiking with friends.
Ezekiel Wells
Senior Consultant
Ezekiel Wells
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Ezekiel blends on-the-ground storytelling with rigorous academics and institution-building. He is a student at Harvard University studying statistics and economics, with a focus on political polarization, social mobility, and large-scale systems change. Ezekiel is the co-founder of Crossroads America, a documentary storytelling project that reached millions of viewers by capturing candid conversations across the United States, from rural towns to major cities, about building trust in America during a particularly divisive time. Having lived and attended public school in China, he brings a deeply global perspective to questions of education, narrative, and civic trust. This combination of analytical thinking, lived experience, and creative storytelling enables Ezekiel to mentor students not just on competitive applications but on how to articulate purpose, curiosity, and impact with clarity and conviction.