The Haven Group

Who We Are

Experienced consultants providing steady educational support for students and caregivers.

Our Story

At Haven Group, we understand that educational journeys can be joyful and formative, but they can also bring unexpected personal and academic challenges. Preparing for college asks students to overcome obstacles and build new skills, often while managing considerable stress.

Once admitted, the terrain changes again: unfamiliar expectations, distant support structures, and campus systems that can be hard to interpret. Caregivers may be trying to help from afar without knowing which office, resource, or next step will actually fit.

That is where Haven Group comes in. Our consultants provide highly tailored, concierge-style support that empowers students and caregivers with the resources and skills to build resilience and confidence through graduation and beyond.

Consultants

Experienced Guides for Complex Educational Journeys

Shannon Farrand-Bernardin

Founder & Director

Shannon is the founder and director of The Haven Group, and a graduate of Columbia University and New York University. She has over a decade of experience supporting young adults through their higher education journeys, most recently at Amherst College, and previously at Carleton College and Smith College. Shannon assists clients in navigating the complexity of college systems, evaluating college fit given each student's unique support needs, identifying and accessing college resources, teaching self-advocacy skills, creating educational and organizational plans, and consulting on pauses from or returns to college. Clients describe her as knowledgeable, warm, empathetic, and insightful.

Lisa Jaffe

Educational Consultant & Executive Function Coach

Lisa is a graduate of Drake University and Smith College. She empowers college students to master the behind-the-scenes skills of success. As an educational consultant and executive function coach, Lisa provides a steady hand for students navigating complex educational transitions. By blending practical strategy with a warm, person-centered approach, Lisa helps clients bridge the gaps between their potential and their daily performance, moving from overwhelmed to empowered.

The First Step Is a Conversation

Tell us where your student is in the journey. We will help you clarify support needs, think through the right resources, and decide on a thoughtful next step.

Start the Conversation