MEET THE ENROLLMENT team

Creating meaningful connections with people is Ingrid’s passion. Having been a professional therapist and a restaurant business owner in years past, she brings both financial knowledge and exceptional interpersonal skills to her work at Miami Country Day School. Ingrid is a member of the Educational Records Bureau advisory board, serves as a mentor to other admission professionals through the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals, and has most recently helped create content for master’s level certification exams for the field of admissions and financial aid. In 2017, she completed a certification in Enrollment Management through the University of Southern California. Ingrid and her husband have raised their two girls Gabriella ’18 and Hannah ’19 in the Miami Country Day community. Volunteering at Miami Country Day as a parent back in 2005, Ingrid became a resource for the admissions office and began formally working for the school in 2008.

Vanessa has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 2007. Prior to joining MCDS, she was the Assistant to the Director at a local non-profit art gallery, worked with an airline for 10 years traveling the world, and also managed a portfolio of internet domain names. Vanessa has lived in Ohio and Massachusetts but is a Miami Shores native and bi-lingual in English and Spanish. At Miami Country Day School, she began her career as the Admission Coordinator in 2007. She then branched off to become the Data Processing Coordinator in 2013. Vanessa rejoined the Admission Department in 2015 and is now the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Admission Officer. Something Vanessa likes most about her day is helping prospective families envision and find ways to become part of the Miami Country Day community.

Candida became the International Admission Officer in 2015. Her family has been part of the Miami Country Day community since 2011. She began working in Admissions in 2012 as an Admission Associate supporting all divisions. As an International Admission Officer, she is the main contact for international students and families as they inquire about the school’s programs and community. Candida is originally from Brazil, where she graduated from law school in 2001. She speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. She is passionate about working in a school that values the whole child education. Her favorite quote: “To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater” – Bono. She lives in Miami with her husband, a daughter, a son and her lovely dog. She enjoys traveling with her family and outdoor activities.

Michelle Farina is a graduate of Indiana University at Bloomington. She holds a BA in Media and Business Administration. Originally from Naples, Italy she grew up in both Italy and Uruguay. She brings 20+ years of strategic marketing, event planning and public relations experience with both fortune 500 companies and small businesses. She has lived in Chicago and Indianapolis and is fluent in English, Italian and Spanish. Prior to joining Miami Country Day, she was the director of an art gallery in Wynwood and coordinated several high-profile events for Art Basel, Art Wynwood as well as fundraisers for the Humane Society, Toys for Tots and ReachingU. Michelle and her husband Nick, along with their son Max have been part of the Miami Country Day community since 2013.

Abra has worked in Communications at Miami Country Day since 2011. She has led numerous projects to publicize the school and its diverse stakeholders. Abra edits and designs “The Beacon” magazine, the Annual Report, and other major promotional and marketing materials. She works in partnership with the Office of Philanthropy to ensure campus events, Capital Campaigns, and Annual Giving goals are met or exceeded.Abra has worked in communications and/or development since 2007 both in Washington, D.C. and Miami. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 2007 where she studied Journalism and Political Science. Abra, her husband, and their two daughters (PK3 and 1st Grade) reside in Miami Shores with their English Bulldog, Ralphie.