Our Team

Ying Zhu is the founder of Primary Education Group (PEG) and the lead consultant for the DMV area. Ying firmly believes that every child has tremendous potential, and that finding the right-fit school helps students discover and develop their strengths. Over the past five years, she and her team have helped more than 200 families—both locally and internationally—gain admission to their dream schools in the United States. Ying frequently speaks at international organizations about private school admissions and hosts webinars to help families better understand the admissions process. She is also actively engaged in local communities and believes strongly in giving back. Having grown up in China and studied in China, France, and the United States, Ying has a deep understanding of education systems across Asia, Europe, and North America. She often serves as a bridge between recently immigrant families and the American education system, helping families better understand the U.S. K–12 school landscape. Ying earned her master’s degree from the School of Business at The George Washington University and is currently completing a master’s degree in Education Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Through the program, she is building a platform to help families navigate K–12 school admissions. Ying speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and French, and in her spare time she enjoys trying new local restaurants, practicing Pilates, traveling with her family, and volunteering at her children’s schools. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and two children, both of whom attend independent schools in the DC area.

Theodra Washington is the Chief Strategy Officer for K–12 Admissions consulting at Primary Education Group (PEG). She works closely with PEG founder Ying Zhu to support families throughout the K–12 private school admissions process. Theodra also plays a key role in developing PEG’s K–12 admissions consulting programs, overseeing the consulting and coaching process, maintaining high professional standards, and continuously improving the services provided to families. Having served as the Associate Director of Lower and Middle School Admission at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC for five years, Theodra brings valuable insight from the admissions office perspective. With more than twenty years of experience working with students from preschool through high school in both public and private schools, her roles have included school-wide diversity coordinator, physical education teacher and athletic department head, varsity volleyball coach, health instructor, NAACP parent representative, and parent advocate. She has also worked with schools serving students with special needs and with nonprofit organizations supporting underprivileged children. Theodra is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) and a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). She holds a BS from Florida A&M University and is actively involved in many local education events. Together with Ying, she regularly visits independent schools in the DC area to stay informed about admissions trends and school communities, and is passionate about supporting families through the admissions journey.

Lloyd Paradiso is the Chief Strategy Officer for Boarding School Admission Consulting and College Admissions Consulting at Primary Education Group (PEG). An esteemed leader in educational consulting and admissions, he brings over 40 years of experience to PEG. He oversees PEG’s boarding school admissions consulting services and, together with founder Ying Zhu, has developed the firm’s coaching framework and advising programs for families applying to leading boarding schools. Mr. Paradiso also serves as PEG’s lead consultant for college admissions consulting, working closely with families whose children are applying to colleges and universities. Lloyd Paradiso is widely recognized as an authority in educational advising. His commitment to the highest professional standards, deep understanding of the admissions landscape, and dedication to treating every client as a top priority have made him a trusted advisor to families for more than four decades. He is a sought-after panelist and presenter on educational topics at conferences, workshops, and symposia in the United States and abroad. A product of both public and private schools and a graduate of Germantown Academy in Pennsylvania, Mr. Paradiso holds an AB from Hamilton College and a master’s degree from Middlebury College. He has also completed doctoral coursework at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Mr. Paradiso is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), and several other professional organizations. A founder, past president, committee chair, and board member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), he holds the distinguished designation of Certified Educational Planner (CEP).