LOS ANGELES, CA, February 13, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Roman Bernard Fernando has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Fernando currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Stepping Stones College Educational Advisors LLC in West Hollywood, California, a role he has held since 2022. In this capacity, he mentors teachers to support students, assists families in navigating the complexities of college applications and meets weekly with both students and their families. He is recognized for developing customized roadmaps for college success, adapting guidance to meet individual student needs—including those with learning disabilities and autism spectrum considerations—and advising students on college admissions as early as Freshman year of high school. His expertise in college admissions advisory and educational leadership is widely acknowledged, reflecting more than three decades of professional dedication.

Prior to founding Stepping Stones College Educational Advisors LLC, Mr. Fernando was Executive Director at the American Academy for Strategic Education in Costa Mesa, California from 2019 to 2021. During the previous year, he also served as a registered behavioral technician with Centria Healthcare in Orange County. In this position, he provided direct support for children with autism, applying evidence-based interventions to promote positive behavioral outcomes.

From 1993 to 2017, Mr. Fernando built a distinguished career as an education professional. He began as a junior high and high school mathematics and science teacher before advancing into school administration as vice principal and principal of kindergarten through grade eight schools. Motivated by a desire to expand his impact beyond the classroom, he later returned to direct teaching following the birth of his children to better balance professional responsibilities with family life.

Throughout his tenure as an educator, Mr. Fernando has remained most proud of the enduring relationships he has cultivated with his students. He considers it his greatest accomplishment when former students reconnect years later—sometimes after multiple decades—to express their gratitude and share their successes. These lasting connections are a testament to his commitment as an educator and serve as a source of deep professional fulfillment.

Mr. Fernando was born in Sri Lanka, and spent his formative years living in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States. His father's career in the aerospace industry during the Cold War and his mother's love of culture led to this international upbringing, which instilled in Mr. Fernando a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a profound respect for human connection. These early experiences shaped his worldview and later influenced his approach to education and community service.

Active in the industry, Mr. Fernando is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and Phi Delta Kappa. His academic achievements include earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Pepperdine University in 2005, graduating summa cum laude, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, graduating with the same honor. Mr. Fernando also attended San Diego University where he did educational research. Overall, he credits his success to the unwavering support of his family, friends and colleagues, emphasizing that a strong support system has been essential throughout his career.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Fernando is dedicated to community service. He volunteers regularly with food banks supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and is actively involved with the Knights of Columbus, where he contributes to charitable causes aligned with his values of service and compassion.

In his personal life, Mr. Fernando enjoys painting, archery, hiking, camping and solo nature exploration. Looking ahead, he plans to continue leading Stepping Stones College Educational Advisors LLC while expanding its reach globally. His vision includes helping students gain admission to universities and college nation wide and internationally. He aspires to become a global voice in college admissions advising—sharing a moral imperative of culture, ethics and integrity while learning from other countries—and extending Stepping Stones' services to students worldwide fulfilling the company's vision of "Helping students build blueprints to their dreams."

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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