About

It all started with a single student...

Born and raised in Texas, Anish Merchant's journey took a unique turn when he moved to Buenos Aires. There, he immersed himself in the city’s legendary nightlife and played music in a bluegrass band. With a degree in physics and an impressive GMAT score under his belt, Anish unexpectedly found himself on a path that would shape the future of many ambitious professionals.

It all began when he agreed to tutor a “friend of a friend” struggling with the GMAT. What started as casual tutoring sessions turned into a life-changing experience for both. This student, a top performer in a multinational corporation, faced persistent obstacles in her career due to gender bias. Determined to break free from workplace limitations, she aimed to study abroad but struggled to achieve the GMAT scores she needed, despite initial lessons with Anish.

Moved by her story, Anish overhauled his teaching approach. He saw her potential—sharp, driven, and ready for a new chapter. All she needed was a strategy tailored for success. Anish dedicated the next year to deconstructing and mastering the GMAT, crafting what would soon be known as the Merchant Methodology. Armed with this innovative approach, his first student scored an impressive 700 and embarked on her dream career overseas. Her success sparked a wave of recommendations.

Word spread fast in Buenos Aires: Anish was the GMAT wizard who turned hard work into results. Soon, his lessons were in demand by the brightest young professionals in the city. With the influx of requests, Anish needed support. Help came from an unexpected place—his bluegrass bandmate, Joe Mashek.

Joe brought a new dimension to the business, expanding Merchant's services to include Admissions Consulting. What started as a GMAT tutoring venture blossomed into a comprehensive graduate school solution, helping top Latin American talent realize their ambitions.

Over the years, Anish and Joe have guided hundreds of students to GMAT success and new career horizons. And yes, amidst it all, they still make time to play bluegrass, keeping alive the music that first brought them together.

Joe Mashek

Co-Founder & Alumni Relations

Creative entrepreneur based in Buenos Aires who has helped hundreds through their MBA journey. I can wear a lot of different hats and play a lot of instruments. I can help you get into your dream MBA program and then get that job you've always wanted. I can then come visit you at your mountain or beach house. No?

Ale Lupiz

HR Manager

Born in Buenos Aires but raised in the world... I lived in Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, and am now settled in a small beach town in Uruguay. With a Design background, I have always been passionate about communication and education. My studies as an Othological Coach help me develop my new position as HR Manager. I love connecting with people and having new adventures. I can spend hours dancing surrounded by friends and dogs!

Dr Dimitrios Vonofakos

GMAT Director & Verbal Coach

Greek born and raised, I spent a fair bit of time in the UK working on the applications of psychoanalysis in Business and Learning before closing shop and moving down South for new adventures. I love classic rock, a good Malbec and long-distance running - preferably, in that order.

Pablo Dans

Growth Director

Born and raised in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires, I am a long-time vegetarian who doesn't like to eat vegetables at all! I love pretty much every sport (E sports excluded) and competitions. My true passion in life is fixing things, either abstract or concrete ones, even more if it requires alternative thinking or resources. That's why I'm known as "The Wolf"!

Elena Demaria

Verbal Coach

Born and raised in Zarate, a small town close to Buenos Aires, I am an English translator and teacher with about 15 years of experience in language related jobs. I believe I am a determined, focused, and hard-working person who enjoys doing what I love. A lover of road trips, I am always “on the road”, looking for new places to love and enjoy. I love good reading, researching history and culture related topics, cooking and trying new foods. My idea of fun times will usually entail spending time with my friends and family and sharing a glass of good wine and some homemade tasty food!

Juan Carlos Salomone

Quant Coach

Born in Buenos Aires but raised in Mar del Plata. I’m a math teacher passionate about teaching and crazy about applied math. I love to travel, especially to places where I can go for a hike and be around nature. You will always see me with a smile on my face talking about music, cine, football (Boca Juniors of course) and my cat.

Candelaria Borda Di Pardo

Growth Associate

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, you will never find me without my “mate”. Even though I love numbers, if you give me 2 days I will finish a full book of 2000 pages. During the past 7 years, I had the chance to meet people from all over the world and get to know all their experiences. I'm really thankful to Merchant for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills further and get to know more people!

Sol Sergiani

Accounting & Finance Manager

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, I am a systems analyst who is obsessed with technology. In my other life, I am a photographer who loves dogs and travel. With a background in law and finance, you will find me working my 'assets' off and solving problems you didn’t know you had... that is, until my Italian roots start to show, and then you will find me drinking wine and talking loud.

It all started with a single student...

Our team