My name is Cecelia McNally and I am happy to introduce myself and my family. New England based, my husband and I have loved watching all three of our now adult children grow, learn, achieve their dreams, change their minds, and achieve new dreams. All have chosen distinct educational paths, including public and private schools and universities and colleges, and, ultimately, exciting careers on both coasts of the US and in Europe. This rich family experience helps inform my approach to McNally Educational Consulting.

My professional career working with families and helping them explore educational options began when I joined the Carroll School in Lincoln Massachusetts in the Secondary School Advising (SSA) department in 2015. This was just after my daughter graduated from Carroll’s middle school Lincoln campus and having had the full benefit of the expertise and excellent education we all know the Carroll School delivers every day. This expertise extended to their SSA office and team, and after navigating the independent school application process successfully with the support and guidance of the Carroll SSA team, I was motivated to seek a position on that team. I enjoyed my collaboration with Carroll for nearly 10 years.

In the fall of 2024 I took a leap and left my wonderful position as the Assistant Director of Secondary School Advising to begin my work as an educational consultant and launched McNally Educational Consulting. It has been exciting to work independently with the students I currently advise who are looking for private day and boarding options for the fall of 2025, including transfer opportunities. It is a privilege to work in partnership with these dynamic families and establish relationships with them. In our work together I have become a trusted advisor in the secondary school selection and application process. Central to this relationship is remembering that the unique strengths, goals, and learning profiles of each student are to be centered and honored, thereby creating an authentic, empowering and successful outcome.

My career before working in education has included roles at the United States Senate as a staffer, as an editor in publishing in Washington DC, and in the fashion industry in New York City. I have also enjoyed many volunteer opportunities including with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Freedom’s Way Heritage Commission-Devens, MA, Gaining Ground-Concord, MA, Zurich International School Annual Appeal Co-chair and Capital Campaign Co-chair, Concord Carlisle Annual Appeal Co-chair, Care Dimensions Hospice, The Nature Connection, and Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod among others. My personal interests include museums of all kinds, theater, travel, art, skiing, reading, cooking, tennis and spending as much time with friends and family as possible.