Our Founders

Our Founders

Elie Venezky graduated from Wesleyan University in 1995 and moved to New York City to become America’s next great novelist. While waiting for his imminent fame, he began tutoring for standardized tests. He discovered a passion for helping families through this difficult time and a knack for connecting with students and giving them the knowledge and confidence they needed to succeed.

Elie understands that successful tutoring is about relating to students, and his own history gives him an advantage. Elie was a bright but unmotivated student, exceptional in some areas and weak in others. But he never believed he could improve, so he never tried to fix his weaknesses. As a result, he wasted a lot of potential. Eventually, Elie got past his self-defeating beliefs, and that work helps him relate to students in a way most tutors can’t. He’s happy for his struggles, as they’ve made him a more empathetic and effective tutor. Elie founded Prestige Prep in 2002. He teamed up with Phil Cohen in 2006. In his spare time, Elie performs trapeze and other aerial dance. He’s performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show and throughout the United States and Europe.

Phil Cohen has provided formal and informal education services to students for over 20 years. In 2001, Phil founded Dugmah, an academic tutoring and mentoring company. Prior to Dugmah, Phil oversaw the Young Judea/Hadassah National Youth Movement, served as Director of Masasa’s Informal Education and Touring Company, and supervised countless after-school youth programs. These experiences helped Phil create his education policy: challenge students to push themselves while building their confidence and sense of self. To date, Phil has worked with thousands of students and maintained lasting relationships with many of them. Phil and Elie Venezky joined forces in Prestige Prep to provide top-notch educational and personal mentoring for students. Phil lives in New York City with his wife and their two young boys.