Having been an independent schoolteacher and administrator for 30 years, Nina Marks left the National Cathedral School ("NCS") in Washington, DC to found Marks Counseling Associates, LLC in 2004, and Collegiate Directions, Inc. in 2005. After spending many years as an AP English teacher, Nina became NCS' Director of College Guidance in 1992. She wrote the National Cathedral School College Handbook, which was copyrighted and sold. During her tenure, she created and directed a nationally recognized college guidance program. In 2002, she assumed additional responsibilities as Assistant Head.

Nina was educated in India, the United Kingdom, and at Harvard, where she graduated magna cum laude in English.

Nina has for several years served as moderator of the National Association for College Admission Counseling's (NACAC's) workshops on selective college admissions issues. These sessions facilitate communication between seasoned, selective college Deans of Admission, who serve as panelists, and high school counselors.

Nina has spoken on issues relating to U.S. and international college admissions at national conferences, including NACAC, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the National Association of Independent Schools. She has been featured in selective college admissions articles in the Washingtonian Magazine. She has also been a guest on the Washington Post Radio's education hour with Jay Mathews and on PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

Nina has participated in numerous regional and local events sponsored by such organizations as the Association of Independent Maryland Schools, the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington, and the Parents Council of Washington.

In addition, Nina has participated in Brown University's Alumni College Advising Program. Before becoming Director of College Guidance at NCS, she served for 10 years as a member of Harvard University's Schools and Scholarships Committee.