Our Tutors/Coaches


Julia Loughran

ThoughtLink’s President and Owner

Julia has been tutoring and coaching both the young and the old since 1988. In addition to running ThoughtLink, Julia has been a volunteer teacher and coach at JCA’s SeniorTech focused at teaching seniors since 1997. She was also was a High School youth group leader for 6 years and ran a Computer Science Explorer Post for 5 years while at the Institute for Defense Analyses. Julia has developed leadership and development programs for Success In The City, an organization comprised of women business leaders. Julia holds Bachelor degrees in English and Communications and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology/Artificial Intelligence. As a hobby, Julia enjoys studying how the brain learns as well as other neuroscience research topics. As a high-achiever in high school, taking advanced placement and college level courses, Julia is well aware of the importance of successful teaching and learning.

Wiley Loughran

Wiley has had a professional career in the aviation marketplace for many years. He built a multi-million dollar company (Sky Connect) where he was COO and served as a mentor to many colleagues and business partners. He started his tutoring career in 1987 when he moved to Virginia and worked for Unisys Corporation, where he taught computer classes. In addition, he was a youth group advisor for 6 years. He has a Bachelor degree in Communications and graduate work in Computer Science.

Steven Roberts

Steven was raised in South Carolina where he received his Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry from Clemson University. During his time at Clemson, he served as an elementary school tutor from 2007-2008. He later worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Optical Materials Sciences Engineering Technologies. Steven is currently pursuing his Ph.D in Biochemistry at George Mason University. While at Mason, he has worked as a teaching assistant, instructing both Introductions to Chemistry labs. When not teaching, Steven conducts his doctoral research involving Alzheimer’s pharmaceutical discovery.

Ronald “Skip” Cole

Skip is an innovator and entrepreneur. His company Sea Change Simulations, LLC, enables instructors to utilize simulation technology and enhance student learning outcomes. Formerly a Senior Program Officer with the United States Institute of Peace, he has worked in a variety of different sectors: as an experienced consultant for Arthur Andersen, as a nuclear reactor operator for the US Navy, as the Customer Support Manager for a computer security company, and as a Computer Science professor at Parkland Community College. He has a Master’s Degree in Biophysics and an MBA with a focus on Global Management.

Kathleen McCleary

Kathy is a journalist, author, and teacher. Her articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Money magazine, and USA Weekend. She has published two novels, House and Home (Hyperion, 2008) and A Simple Thing (HarperCollins, 2012). Her third novel is due out in 2013. Currently she teaches writing as an adjunct professor at American University in Washington, D.C. She has also worked as a bookseller, barista, and bartender—all jobs in which she learned how to work well with all kinds of people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Williams College.

Nicholas Stevens

Nick Stevens was born in Virginia and, being an Army Brat, moved 11 times in 18 years. He attended the College of William and Mary on a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship, graduating cum laude with a double-major in psychology and kinesiology. As a Cadet, he held the position of Training-Advising-Counseling officer and other leadership roles that focused on tutoring young students and Cadets and providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college. Nick now attends the Institute for the Psychological Sciences and is working towards his doctorate in clinical psychology while serving in the Army Reserves.

Sarah Stevens

Sarah Stevens was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and went to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. From her freshman to her senior year, she worked as a paid writing and oral communications tutor, helping freshman to graduate students in one-on-one, hour-long consultations about the grammar, content, and organization of papers and presentations in various subjects. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience in 2010. She now attends the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia, where she works to earn a master of science in clinical psychology. Sarah lives with her husband Nick in Alexandria, Virginia.

Cathy Lunde

Cathy has spent much of her career managing and coaching junior and senior level employees to exceed their full potential in the organizations she has worked – which included MCI, Verizon & Sprint/Nextel. She has most recently helped to build a start-up mobile company from a 2 person to 40+ person very profitable organization in Columbia, MD. During this time, she has trained and mentored several high school and college graduates on the tools, methods and processes needed to be successful in their day-to-day activities. She specializes in all of the Microsoft tools, including Work, Excel, Powerpoint & Visio. Born and raised in Upstate, NY, her education includes a Bachelors in Information Systems from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Masters in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Albany. She resides in Potomac Falls, VA with her husband, two daughters and their yellow lab!

James Bryan

James was raised in California and as an undergraduate attended California Polytechnic State University where he received his B.A. in Philosophy. He worked as a fitness instructor at the university recreation center and also led several reading groups that focused on some of the great books of western civilization. James knows first hand the difficulties of academia and a scholastic environment for he has struggled with learning disabilities throughout his life. Nevertheless, with good study habits and much determination he has gone on to earn a Master’s in Systematic Theology and is presently writing his thesis for a second Master’s in Philosophy at The Catholic University of America.

Nicole Bryan

Nicole is a California native currently pursuing her Master’s degree in clinical psychology at The Institute for the Psychological Sciences in Arlington, VA. As an undergraduate Nicole helped run an academic orientation program held annually for low-income/first generation college students. She also tutored for Upward Bound, a program that provides fundamental support to high school students from low-income families and high school students from which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. She has worked as a cowhand, editor, music teacher and apple seller. Nicole holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Cal Poly.

Christine Williams

Christine is a research analyst and instructor who has lived and worked ‘inside the beltway’ for various government agencies including the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security for more than ten years. She has taught numerous courses, mentored and instructed colleagues on urban warfare history and strategy, technology and career development. She is the founder of the non-profit organization, Child Soldier Relief. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in International Studies and a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Urban Planning. She recently finished her first novel.