College Counseling Team

Our counselors are deeply familiar with the college admission process, and they understand how to help students identify the criteria they want in a college and how to present themselves confidently and fully in an application.

At Cate, this process is individualized, deliberate, and comprehensive.

Maude Y. Bond
Director of College Counseling 

maude_bond@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x235

BA, Sarah Lawrence
MFA, The New School
Appointed: 2020

Maude Bond brings a wealth of experience in college counseling, international education, and student mentorship as Cate’s Director of College Counseling. Born in rural West Tennessee, she studied African-American literature, theater, and writing at Sarah Lawrence College, spending a year in Madrid, Spain, where she became fluent in Spanish. She later earned an MFA in creative writing from The New School.

Her career spans AmeriCorps service supporting refugee children, admissions roles at Sarah Lawrence and The New School, and leading multicultural recruitment at Columbia University. She also worked as an associate director of college counseling at the United Nations International School and as an upper school dean at Harvard-Westlake. Her commitment to student success has earned her accolades such as the Excellence in Service Award from The New School, Excellence in Programming from Columbia University, and the Centennial Fellowship from Cate School.

An expert in international education, essay writing, and public speaking, Maude empowers students to tell their stories with clarity and confidence. She lives on the Mesa with her husband, Richard McDonald, and is an avid reader, writer, and traveler.

Margot Dorion
Senior Associate Director of College Counseling

margot_dorion@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x248

BA, Colby College

Appointed: 2002

Margot Dorion began her career teaching history, coaching, and dorm parenting before transitioning to college counseling—a role she has excelled in for over two decades. At Cate, she supports students in identifying colleges, navigating financial aid, planning courses, and maximizing their experience. She collaborates on parent programming, leads college trips, and oversees the University of California A-G course submission process.

Having visited over 100 campuses, Margot combines deep knowledge with a personalized approach to help students find the right fit. She also serves on the Academic Leadership Team and Admission Committee.

A proud mom to Molly, Olivia, and Charlie, Margot enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, and exploring new places. She has a soft spot for animals and never passes up a hole-in-the-wall ice cream stand.

Amy Giles
College Counselor

amy_giles@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x296

BA, Denison University

Appointed: 2012

Amy Giles joined Cate’s College Counseling Office in 2012 after a career in public relations, marketing, and event planning with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She also worked in school administration at Marymount of Santa Barbara, collaborating with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Admissions.

As part of Cate’s College Counseling team, Amy helps students navigate the college process with expertise and care. In 2023, she and her team received The Centennial Fellowship for their innovative work.

Amy lives with her family on Shepard Mesa, where she enjoys time in their orchard. She is the proud mom of Cate graduates Eliza ’13, Warren ’15, and Daniel ’22.