Who We Are

The Essay Desk is led by principals Douglas Quenqua and Alexandra Privitera, two seasoned storytellers with decades of combined experience in journalism, media, and narrative development. Douglas spent 20 years as a regular contributor to the New York Times, The Atlantic, the New York Post, Fast Company, Adweek, and many others. Alexandra is a former executive with CNBC and Forbes and the co-founder of the Montclair Pod. Together, we bring our editorial judgment, coaching expertise, and deep understanding of what makes a story resonate to guide students in shaping authentic, memorable college application essays.

We believe every student has a unique story worth telling—and telling well. Our approach blends professional editorial expertise with a supportive, student-centered process that builds confidence, clarity, and impact.

Ali Privitera, media exec and content strategist

Douglas Quenqua, seasoned journalist, editor and storyteller

Let’s work together!

At The Essay Desk, we turn a daunting task into a manageable, even rewarding, experience. Let’s do it together. Reach out for a FREE consultation.

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