Nigel Cropley graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom (UK) and later obtained a postgraduate certificate in Education at Exeter University. To further enhance his professional skills, Nigel completed his National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) at University College London’s Institute of Education. He has been in the education sector for over 30 years, with 22 of those years in senior leadership roles.

Nigel was a Deputy Head Teacher of a large Early Years Centre and Primary school in London before embarking on a career in international education. In 2006, he joined the largest K-12 private education provider in the world, working in the United Arab Emirates.

During this time, he served as Principal and CEO to three different schools, making a significant impact on raising the quality of education and improving student outcomes in external examinations.

In 2020, Nigel joined the Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) group of schools in Ho Chi Minh City In Vietnam. He is an advocate of sustained school self-improvement through a coaching model and a constant drive to raise standards. Nigel believes in an ethos of collaboration and learning together, where every member of the learning community has something to offer, and everyone can continuously grow and improve.

Nigel is a passionate leader of learning who believes in success for all, providing every student with the best possible life chances for their future. He emphasizes high academic standards as well as a growth mindset, kindness, and social responsibility in his schools. He encourages all stakeholders to be the best they can be each and every day, fostering continuous growth and development.

Nigel has a daughter who is currently studying for a degree in psychology. In his free time, he enjoys running and cooking for friends and family.

Duncan joined GEMS Education in April 2018. Prior to joining GEMS, he was the founding Headmaster of Malvern College Egypt, establishing a school with a clear emphasis on learning and putting students at the center of every decision. Duncan oversaw all College functions and events, marketing, sport and music as well as overall operations of the College. He Led the College Leadership Team in the build year and initial start-up year with responsibility for all areas of the development timeline. The College achieved an A* report from Malvern College UK in its first Quality Assurance inspection.

Before moving to Egypt, Duncan was Deputy Head of College and Head of Junior School at Dulwich College Suzhou (DCSZ), China – a renowned school within the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) region. He helped develop DSCZ from its beginning and was chair of the steering committee which guided DSCZ through the Council of International Schools accreditation, making the school one of the youngest schools ever to be awarded this prestigious international stamp of approval. 

Duncan first taught overseas in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2000. There he was the Mathematics coordinator and then Key Stage Two Coordinator with responsibility for sixteen classes and member of the Primary SMT of the British International School, Jakarta. Duncan was a member of the steering committee which saw the school accredited as a full member of the Council of International Schools. He also ran the school boarding house for two years. Duncan was awarded a Heart of Gold Award by the students, governors and SMT for his services to the school community in 2007.

Prior to moving to Jakarta, Duncan was Head of Year 6, teacher governor and science coordinator at New Bradwell Combined School in Milton Keynes.

Duncan holds a B.A. (Hons) from St John’s College York with a Major in History and American Studies. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Wales. He is currently completing his dissertation for a Masters in Education through the University of Bath. Additionally, Duncan has been a registered ISI school inspector.

Anthony Partington has 20 years’ experience as a teacher and school leader, joining GEMS International School Tropicana Metropark, soon to be Sri KDU International School Subang Jaya, in February 2019 as Principal.  Anthony was appointed as Executive Principal to lead all Sri KDU Schools in January 2022. He became CEO Malaysia in September 2022.

Anthony originally worked in the City of London in public, media and analyst relations, after studying English Language and Literature at Christ Church, University of Oxford, but a passion for Literature and an interest life-long learning led him to Trinity College, University of Cambridge to train as an English teacher in 2002. He has worked at a number of schools in Cambridgeshire, England, including pastoral leadership and leading the internationally renowned English and media faculty across the Parkside Federation of academies in Cambridge.

Anthony joined Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) in 2010 as an Assistant Principal to support the improvement of one school and left after eight years, ultimately working as CMAT’s Executive Director of Education and an Executive Principal responsible for the quality assurance of all the academies and teacher professional development from initial teacher training to leadership succession planning and development.  Along the way, he was a principal of an academy in Lincolnshire, England, securing its best ever examination results and inspection judgement.

Whilst completing a Masters with UCL Institute of Education, Anthony conducted research into and published on the teaching of literacy.  He is a frequent conference speaker, presenting on school leadership and English teaching and editor of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘Twelfth Night’ in the Cambridge University Press Cambridge School Shakespeare series.  He has been a governor and a director of a number of schools and colleges and chaired the school-improvement board in the largest county authority in England.  He is a qualified leadership coach.

Anthony believes in a whole education striving for academic excellence and great examination results, whist providing the experiences and building the character skills that student need to thrive and succeed.

Callie and her team at R.E.A.L Schools Shah Alam believe in providing a conducive and inclusive environment to maximise students’ potential and for each student to fully enjoy their learning and growing years here with their friends and teachers. All of this is to inspire brighter futures for our students, who will have a positive impact on us and our community as a whole.

Callie has over 20 years of experience in education in both private and international schools. She has a Bachelor of Law and a Master of Education, and she has a deep passion and commitment to providing quality education for the future generation. She looks forward to warmly welcoming, serving, and nurturing her students to be the best they can be.

Mr Cheli completed his Bachelor of Education (Hons) in English Literature from University of Otago, New Zealand and is certified in teaching English as a Second Language from Massey University, New Zealand. He also holds the National Professional Qualification of Educational Leaders (NPQEL) from MOE and has served as Vice Principal since 2007 for several schools including SMK Bandar Kuching (1) in Sarawak, SMK Sinar Bintang KL, and SMK Menjalara KL.

Mr Cheli is the founder of the ‘Reading Bus Club’, an NGO that provides books to marginalised children in rural and urban poor communities. The HELP or ‘Helpful English Language Programmes’ won him the Innovative Teacher of The Year Award in 1994. He also founded ‘Positive Attitude Builds Character’ (www.pabc.my), an Attitude Management System that empowers students to take ownership of their education. In his last year of service in public schools, Mr Cheli initiated and coordinated the ‘Cutting Edge Zones’ (CEZ) which involves the digitalization of classrooms to transform the way teachers teach and the way students learn.

As a reflection of his extraordinary 36-year career in education, Mr Cheli has won the ‘Excellent Service Award’ from the Ministry of Education on five occasions (1994, 2003, 2009, 2013 & 2019); an achievement very few public servants in Malaysian history have attained.

Dominic is a Partner and Managing Director at TPG. He has lived and worked in Asia since joining the firm in 2005 and, in that time, has been engaged with investments throughout the Asia Pacific region. He and his family live in Singapore, where he has been resident since 2010.

His involvement with current and past TPG portfolio companies includes, Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) – where he is Chairman, Aviva Singlife, PropertyGuru, 8990 (Deca Homes), BFI Finance, Masan Group, Fairmont Raffles Hotels, and Bank BTPN.

Prior to TPG, Dominic worked in the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse First Boston in Melbourne, primarily focused on mergers and acquisitions in Australia and New Zealand.

A native of Australia, he received a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours – Finance) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne.

Lady is a School Director at both The American School of Bangkok Sukhumvit campus and D-PREP International School.  She founded D-PREP International School in 2018 with a strong and clear school vision that children should be encouraged to dream of limitless possibilities, discover their potential, and deliver positive change to themselves and the world.

Upon her teaching experience in private and public schools in New York City after completing her master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, she formed her vision that education should be a balanced combination of tradition and innovation, academics and creativity, and external and internal growth. She believes that every child can thrive and succeed academically, personally, and professionally if they also develop essential life skills that include self and social management, self-discovery, problem-solving capabilities, and being active citizens in society. She provides professional development to teachers and works directly with students, teachers, and staff on topics such as practicing mindfulness, overcoming our fears, resilience, adaptability, and developing self-understanding to create a culture where compassionate and self-reflective individuals work together to create a positive and dynamic community.

Additionally, she serves on the Committee of International Schools Association Thailand (ISAT) in collaborating and supporting 200+ international schools in Thailand.

Tammy Murphy is a renowned educational leader with a proven reputation for inspiring a culture of improvement and collaboration among the entire school community. Over the last 20 years, Tammy served as a superintendent of four highly-acclaimed schools: Dubai American Academy in the UAE, Montecito Union School District in Santa Barbara, California, the Ross School District in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as Assistant Superintendent of the Cherry Hill School District in Cherry Hill, New Jersey across the river from her hometown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to this, Tammy was an elementary school principal and teacher.

Tammy was lauded with numerous state and national awards for her impact on education as a teacher and leader and has always been recognized for her wisdom, excellence and compassion by the communities she has served. In 2016, Montecito Union School received two distinguished designations; one an International Habits of Mind School of Excellence, and the other a Gold Level of Achievement for the California Department of Education Green Ribbon School. On the tenets of Harvard’s Project Zero, Tammy built a culture of thinking, which made time for valuing and making visible the thinking of students and faculty in order to foster a respectful collaborative culture of improvement. In 2021, the Council of International Schools confirmed the outstanding quality of teaching and learning at Dubai American Academy by selecting the school as one of six schools world-wide to work in the “Future Aspirations” band.

Whether as a teacher in a small underprivileged elementary school in the US or as the Chief Education Officer of the largest private education provider in the MENA region, Tammy has proven to be a collaborative, hands-on leader dedicated to continual improvement toward the goal of student success.

Tammy is a wife and proud mother to one son, an IB grad in university. She enjoys long walks and yoga with her husband to relax and recharge.

David McLaughlin is a trained English secondary school teacher who qualified to teach in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1982. Educated in the UK, the United States (US), and Canada, he has taught in London, Southeast England, and at North American universities.  He was one of the first Advanced Skills Teachers when the programme was introduced in the UK in the late nineties and served as a key consultant on the UK Department for Education’s Best Practice Research Scholarships when it was introduced in 2000 for teachers in UK schools.  David also worked for UK Examination Boards as an examiner and coursework moderator for many years.

A senior leader in UK schools for over ten years, David has led K-12 international schools since 2006 in Dubai, East Africa, and now Vietnam. His roles have included Principal, Executive Principal, Chief Executive Principal, and Brand Director. He is currently the Executive School Director at Vietnam Australia International School Garden Hills in Ho Chi Minh City. 

David is a published author of school workbooks for lower secondary students with Pearson Education and has had close ties with Microsoft Education partnership programmes and the CISCO Networking Academy for many years.

With a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors including education, facility management, and finance, Alliz Cheong has established herself as a strategic leader. She began her career at IGB Berhad in Malaysia, conducting internal audit reviews across various industries. She then advanced to Ernst & Young in Kuala Lumpur as an Assistant Manager, where she led internal audit reviews for local and multinational companies. Her journey continued at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Shanghai, managing internal audit reviews and fraud investigations for multinational corporations.

In 2010, Alliz transitioned to Laureate International Universities. She set up the Internal Audit function for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region and led the rollout of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) program for Laureate’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) readiness in the United States. She later served as the Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at INTI Education Malaysia, supporting campus leaders with business decisions related to student enrollment, new program launches, university partnerships, and capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) investments.

Alliz was also the Regional Strategic Planning Director for OCS Group, a United Kingdom headquartered facility management company. At OCS, she supported country leaders in developing strategic and business plans and led the execution of mergers and acquisitions projects.

Alliz holds a Master’s Degree in Corporate and Financial Management from Lund University in Sweden and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Outside of her professional life, Alliz enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and reading. These interests reflect her love for exploration and continuous learning, which she brings into her professional endeavors.

Mary Xuan is a highly self-motivated leader with over 20 years of leadership and management experience in the private education industry in Vietnam. She excels in formulating the vision and big picture for educational initiatives and managing them at a macro level without overlooking details. Her background as an educator, combined with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Finance qualifications, has equipped her to advocate for and deliver high standards of teaching and learning while maintaining a strong business acumen.

Throughout her career, Mary has demonstrated an exceptional ability to motivate staff and is deeply committed to staff development and creating a cohesive team environment. She skillfully balances corporate priorities and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Known for her quick learning and innovative mindset, Mary is open to change and thrives in navigating the unknown.

Mary’s extensive experience includes overseeing large projects and ensuring their successful completion with meticulous planning. Her comprehensive understanding of the local education system and its regulatory structure allows her to connect and function effectively at both local and international levels.

Mary’s training background as an educator, coupled with her practical business experience in the industry, enables her to manage large-scale projects and follow through to completion, ensuring that the key directions of relevant stakeholders are delivered with precision.

Mr. Lam Huu Thu has over 18 years of experience in education, serving in leadership and academic management roles at Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) since 2006. He has brought extensive expertise in school management and has continually fostered a positive work environment with a dedicated team of staff members.

In 2022, Mr. Thu assumed the role of Executive Cluster School Director at VAS’s Sunrise and Riverside campuses in District 7. He plays a key role in expanding and enhancing VAS’s reputation and prestige in the South Saigon area. As the father of two successful children, Mr. Thu strongly believes in the essential role of education and the impact of schools in shaping students’ futures.

Mr. Thu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law & Business. With a rich management background, he has successfully run the school and inspired and mentored numerous staff members to become outstanding managers. Under his leadership, many VAS students have grown and excelled, becoming successful engineers, doctors, teachers, and entrepreneurs.

Mr. Thu is committed to a comprehensive education and continually strives for academic excellence, while also providing students with experiences and skills necessary for their development and success as global citizens.

Ms. Ha Pham has 24 years of leadership experience across various fields, with a deep understanding of students’ psychology and a great passion for education. In her managerial roles across different sectors, she has consistently built dedicated teams, leveraging each individual’s strengths to create a cohesive, passionate, and service-oriented collective that delivers the best customer experiences.

Since joining Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) in 2012 as the Hoang Van Thu (HVT) School Manager, she has led the HVT campus to achieve some of the highest student performance results over the years. Promoted to Executive School Director in 2017, she now serves as the School Director for the Ba Thang Hai (BTH) and Hoang Van Thu (HVT) clusters, overseeing the largest number of students in VAS.

As a mother of three, Ms. Ha brings valuable personal insights to her work, striving with her team to create the best possible environment for students, treating them with the same care as her own children. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking, and her organizational, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills have been instrumental in her professional success.

Ms. Ha’s career reflects a dedication to continuous improvement, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Rhys Thomas comes to Sri KDU with over 15 years of experience in education, including more than a decade in senior educational leadership roles. He began his career as a UK-qualified teacher before spending eight years in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he served as Head of Secondary at Haileybury School. For the past six years, Rhys has worked in Malaysia, initially at BXCL, Penang as Vice Principal, then as Head of Campus. Most recently, he was the Campus Principal with XCL Education at REAL Schools, Johor Bahru. His academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and the National Professional Qualification in Headship.

Rhys believes that the insights and perspectives of the entire school community are integral and invaluable to the development of the school. He is committed to fostering open communication and developing a collaborative and inclusive approach as they work together to provide the best possible educational experience for the children.

His educational philosophy is based on the belief that all children deserve the opportunity to explore their unique potential. By providing children with a wide range of opportunities and experiences, they can find their place in the world and discover areas where they truly excel.

With over 20 years of experience in initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change, Teoh Peng Hong has established himself as a transformative leader in the retail sector and is now applying his expertise to the education sector.

Peng Hong began his career in the retail industry, where he developed a strong foundation in strategy and leadership. His major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability. This background equipped him with the skills to drive large-scale initiatives and achieve significant business growth.

In addition to his leadership roles, Peng Hong has been involved in numerous projects that have required a keen understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior. His ability to analyze complex situations and devise effective strategies has been a key factor in his success. He has a proven track record of implementing systems that streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive profitability.

Peng Hong’s academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Business Studies from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Public Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia. His education has provided him with a solid understanding of business principles and public administration, which he effectively applies to his leadership roles.

Committed to continuous improvement, Peng Hong is always seeking new ways to innovate and improve processes. He believes in the importance of adapting to changing environments and staying ahead of industry trends. This forward-thinking approach has made him a respected leader in his field.

Dr. Chandra Veerappan is a distinguished educator and leader committed to shaping the future of education through innovation and inclusivity. Born in Pahang, Malaysia, her journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Dr. Chandra’s academic journey reflects her dedication to intellectual growth and leadership. With a Degree in Business Information Systems with a Major in Mathematics, a Master of Science in Computer Science specializing in Discrete Mathematics and a Doctorate in Education Leadership, she solidified her foundation in academia and drives meaningful change within educational institutions.

With over a decade as a Principal in an international school and a distinguished tenure as the Director of Academic Development at INTI International University spanning 25 years, Dr. Chandra has championed teaching and learning excellence, transforming educational landscapes.

Driven by a vision to transcend traditional paradigms, Dr. Chandra spearheaded projects redefining educational standards. From pioneering innovative teaching methodologies to fostering continuous improvement, her contributions have left an indelible mark on the community.

Her belief that each child is unique and deserving of tailored educational experiences underscores her commitment to inclusivity and diversity in learning. Outside academia, she enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking, informing her holistic approach to education.

Dr. Chandra’s dedication to excellence has been recognized through accolades such as the GEM (Going Extra Miles) and High-Performance Achiever awards. Her commitment to educational innovation and community engagement extends beyond the classroom, evidenced by her active involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

Looking ahead, Dr. Chandra remains steadfast in her commitment to shaping the future of education. Focusing on professional development for educators and a vision for inclusive, transformative learning environments, she continues to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders and learners alike.

Dr. Connie Kim is an accomplished school administrator with extensive leadership experience in international schools across Vietnam, Hong Kong, and South Korea. She has also served as the Director of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in a large educational setting. Dr. Kim possesses a strong background in US Common Core standards, Advanced Placement curriculum and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accreditation.

With over 25 years in education, Dr. Kim started her career as a high school English teacher and has worked in public, private, and international schools in the United States, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, focusing on school design, change management and advancement to ensure educational excellence and continuous improvement.

Dr. Kim is committed to fostering an environment that empowers student leadership, values student choice, and celebrates the unique and authentic individuals within the school community. Her multicultural and multilingual perspective as a Korean-American enriches her approach to education, promoting inclusivity and diversity.

In her role, Dr. Kim implements the school’s action plan and defines goals and objectives for improvement and development. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, innovative, and inspiring educational experience for students. Her leadership style emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and a strong sense of community, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

Outside of her professional endeavours, Dr. Kim enjoys sharing her life with her loving husband and two sons, who are currently pursuing their studies in colleges across the United States. She finds joy in traveling, reading, and exploring new cuisines, which further inform her holistic approach to education. Her dedication to education and her family exemplifies her commitment to fostering a balanced and enriching environment for all.

Visionary Educator and Advocate for Global Education.

Ken Fernandez, originally from Rochester, New York, has made a significant impact as an international school leader and educator. His extensive experience includes pivotal roles in Guatemala, Nepal, and India, where he has shaped innovative educational practices. Ken’s career also encompasses teaching positions in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Brazil, and the United States, reflecting his global perspective and commitment to educational excellence.

As a founding member of Building Walls of Wisdom, Ken has played a crucial role in establishing schools in underserved communities. This non-profit organization embodies his dedication to expanding educational access and highlights his belief in education as a powerful tool for social change.

In addition to his work with Building Walls of Wisdom, Ken serves as a mentor for the Meliora Collective, where he provides guidance and support to aspiring educators aiming to enhance their teaching practices. His expertise in inquiry-based learning, service programs, and social-emotional learning is well-recognized, and he has contributed to numerous MSA, CIS, and NEASC accreditations and strategic planning teams.

Ken’s approach to education focuses on co-creation and future-forward design, collaborating with leadership teams, teachers, parents, and students to develop dynamic and responsive curricula. His commitment to inclusive and authentic educational frameworks ensures that all stakeholders are engaged in shaping effective learning environments.

Ken holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Rochester. He also earned a School Management and Leadership certification from Harvard University, underscoring his dedication to advancing educational leadership and practice.

Ken’s career is a testament to his passion for global education and his unwavering commitment to fostering educational opportunities and excellence around the world.

Bertrand is a purposeful and result-driven business leader with a strong focus on Asia. With 27 years of experience in senior executive leadership roles across multinational corporations, he is committed to advancing education, leading thriving teams, and nurturing next-generation leaders.

Before joining Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), Bertrand was the CEO of Hello Health Group. He transformed the organization from a health information platform into a provider of cost-effective digital health solutions across Southeast Asia. By restructuring operations, deploying financial and commercial tools, and driving AI-based product innovation, he set the stage for sustainable and profitable growth.

Prior to Hello Health, Bertrand served as VP Healthcare, Global Client & Customer Services at DKSH Healthcare BU. From 2018 to 2021 he spearheaded commercial business development, client & customer management, services innovation & digitization, and sales & marketing excellence across Asia. During his tenure, BU Healthcare’s operations scaled to USD 5.9 billion in sales across 15 countries and launched the first Patient Support Program digital management platform in South-East Asia. He joined DKSH in 2011, leading fast growth as General Manager in Vietnam then Vice President for Indochina for 6 years. Under his lead, Vietnam DSKH Healthcare organization more than doubled in size and revenues, became one of the recognized employers of choice in the country, and moved from 5th to 2nd in profits ranking among all countries’ affiliates.

Bertrand began his career at IPSEN in 1996, taking on escalating commercial leadership responsibilities over Vietnam, Indochina, Asia, then overall Emerging Markets, eventually driving fast expansion of profitable sales & marketing operations in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia until 2009.

Bertrand holds an MBA from EDHEC Business School in France. As the CEO of VAS, he leverages his extensive experience in business and healthcare to enhance educational outcomes. Passionate about integrating technology in education, he aims to foster continuous improvements and innovations, creating an enriching environment for VAS students and employees.

Irene Chung is a senior marketing and sales leader with extensive experience in the education sector across the Asia Pacific region. Over the past 15 years, she has led teams to transform marketing and sales models in more than 10 educational institutions in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa.

During her recent tenures at the College of Law Australia and University of Technology Sydney, Irene successfully implemented multiple CX transformation and marketing innovation projects that led to significant business growth via new business models post pandemic.  Prior to that, Irene spent 10 years with Laureate International Universities where she played a key role in marketing strategy development, process improvement, and business growth as the Director of Marketing for the Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region. She then relocated to Sydney to serve as Head of Marketing for Australia’s newest and fastest-growing private university – Torrens University Australia – the greenfield project that Irene was part of since conceptualization.

Prior to education, Irene held senior marketing roles in PCCW-Hong Kong Telecom and L’Oreal. Irene is passionate about people development, service design, digital transformation, and most importantly making positive change and achieving results.

Irene holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master of Business Administration from HEC Paris.  She is currently undertaking a 1-year executive leadership program with Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Cassie Fleming is an experienced leader, having held senior roles in some of London’s most prestigious day schools, before moving to Malaysia over 4 years ago. She has worked in both the state and public sectors in the UK, including Secondary Schools (11-18 years old) and preparatory schools (2.5-13 years old) such as the school that King Charles II attended in his youth and a GEMS Day school in the prestigious Chelsea, London area.

Cassie was Head of Secondary at Sri KDU Subang Jaya before becoming the Principal and has proven to be a passionate leader who strives in providing the best opportunities for students under her care. She is a believer in the concept of the one percent rule (aggregation of marginal gains) and encourages both students and staff to have this mentality. She has driven improvements in all curriculum areas at Sri KDU SJ, and she works tirelessly to ensure students have more than just academic opportunities; students need to be given a space to develop as people as well as gain important, outstanding, academic results. She works closely with management, staff, teachers, and parents to ensure focus on a personalized learning journey for each student and to ensure every student is known in their own right. Her focus on developing future leaders through pathways such as developing life skills or providing additional opportunities are at the core of her philosophy and ensures students leave school with more than just results, but the ability to thrive in life.

Cassie competed at the national level in swimming and netball and at a high level in table tennis, badminton, and tennis. She holds a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Durham.

Jiro Takahashi is the Group Chief Financial Officer at XCL Education, having joined in April 2024. He oversees the Group’s financial strategy, including the development of financial and tax strategies, directing strategic business plans, and enhancing financial and management reporting systems. He is also responsible for maintaining key relationships and leading the finance team to support business growth and operational excellence across all markets.

Jiro brings substantial financial leadership experience across the Asia Pacific region, specializing in corporate finance. Before joining XCL Education, he was the Chief Financial Officer for OCS Group UK, a global facility services provider, where he led the finance function across Asia Pacific, initiating strategies that significantly enhanced the region’s profitability and strategic positioning. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Thailand and corporate development for Asia Pacific at Laureate International Universities, overseeing the company’s financial strategy and contributing to the financial success of Laureate and its institutions. Earlier in his career, Jiro held multiple finance roles of increasing responsibilities with Yum Brands in the US and Asia Pacific.

With over 20 years of experience in financial management, Jiro holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Texas at Austin. He has a proven track record of leading financial transformations, implementing robust financial controls, and aligning financial practices with organizational goals.

Shane Xu currently holds the position of Director at Temasek.

He has been with Temasek since 2009 and currently serves as the Staff Officer to the CEO. Additionally, Shane is a Board member of XCL Education and Shopback, and also a Board observer at Columbia Asia and Carro. From 2010 to 2018, he was part of the Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) investment team, focusing on the US and European markets. From 2019 to 2023, he transitioned to the Southeast Asia investment team.

Before joining Temasek, Shane worked at Macquarie Group, where he was responsible for transactions related to Debt Capital Markets, Structuring, and Distribution.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne.

Elaine serves as an independent non-executive director at Novotech Health, East West Seed, WWF, and the International Baccalaureate.

Her career is marked by a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and a commitment to sustainability, spanning various industries including healthcare, consumer goods, food tech, aquaculture, and supply chain management. She has driven transformative change in organizations ranging from MNCs to start-ups and family businesses.  Notable brands including  Dole, Temasek, VF (The North Face, Timberland, Vans, Lee, Wrangler, etc.), Zuelig Pharma, and the UN World Food Programme.

She is deeply committed to mentoring and developing future leaders, and her infectious enthusiasm and talent for curating connections make her a natural mentor and global connector.

Tammy Murphy is a renowned educational leader with a proven reputation for inspiring a culture of improvement and collaboration among the entire school community. Over the last 20 years, Tammy served as a superintendent of four highly-acclaimed schools: Dubai American Academy in the UAE, Montecito Union School District in Santa Barbara, California, the Ross School District in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as Assistant Superintendent of the Cherry Hill School District in Cherry Hill, New Jersey across the river from her hometown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to this, Tammy was an elementary school principal and teacher.

Tammy was lauded with numerous state and national awards for her impact on education as a teacher and leader and has always been recognized for her wisdom, excellence and compassion by the communities she has served. In 2016, Montecito Union School received two distinguished designations; one an International Habits of Mind School of Excellence, and the other a Gold Level of Achievement for the California Department of Education Green Ribbon School. On the tenets of Harvard’s Project Zero, Tammy built a culture of thinking, which made time for valuing and making visible the thinking of students and faculty in order to foster a respectful collaborative culture of improvement. In 2021, the Council of International Schools confirmed the outstanding quality of teaching and learning at Dubai American Academy by selecting the school as one of six schools world-wide to work in the “Future Aspirations” band.

Whether as a teacher in a small underprivileged elementary school in the US or as the Chief Education Officer of the largest private education provider in the MENA region, Tammy has proven to be a collaborative, hands-on leader dedicated to continual improvement toward the goal of student success.

Tammy is a wife and proud mother to one son, an IB grad in university. She enjoys long walks and yoga with her husband to relax and recharge.

Gilles has worked in leadership roles across a multitude of sectors in Asia since 2000 and has spent ~20 years leading organizations and managing operations in Asia Pacific. He brings with him deep experience managing large service-oriented organizations, where he had the privilege of building diverse teams, working with passionate people, and nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence.

Gilles has ~7 years of extensive experience working in the education sector. Gilles was the Thailand & Myanmar CEO of Laureate International Universities, the world’s leading higher education provider, where he built and expanded Laureate’s activities in Southeast Asia. As the CEO, Gilles was instrumental in expanding Laureate’s presence in new geographies, launching innovative offline and online programs, turning around universities, scaling existing universities, and expanding the reputation and credibility of the overall group in Southeast Asia. As a father of three, he is a firm believer in the transformative power of education and the significant roles that schools play in shaping the lives of students and preparing them for what comes next.

Prior to XCL Education, Gilles was the Asia Pacific CEO for OCS Group, the world’s largest family-owned facilities management services company. At OCS, he played a pivotal role in building out the leadership team, executing the commercial transformation of the business, and acquiring & integrating other facilities management businesses. He has also served as the Managing Director for Asia and Vice President for APAC of Sodexo Group, a Fortune Global 500 company that is the leading provider of Food and Facilities Management services.

Gilles holds dual Post-graduate degrees in Business & Finance and Philosophy from the University of Paris-La Sorbonne in France.

Gilles has worked in leadership roles across a multitude of sectors in Asia since 2000 and has spent ~20 years leading organizations and managing operations in Asia Pacific. He brings with him deep experience managing large service-oriented organizations, where he had the privilege of building diverse teams, working with passionate people, and nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence.

Gilles has ~7 years of extensive experience working in the education sector. Gilles was the Thailand & Myanmar CEO of Laureate International Universities, the world’s leading higher education provider, where he built and expanded Laureate’s activities in Southeast Asia. As the CEO, Gilles was instrumental in expanding Laureate’s presence in new geographies, launching innovative offline and online programs, turning around universities, scaling existing universities, and expanding the reputation and credibility of the overall group in Southeast Asia. As a father of three, he is a firm believer in the transformative power of education and the significant roles that schools play in shaping the lives of students and preparing them for what comes next.

Prior to XCL Education, Gilles was the Asia Pacific CEO for OCS Group, the world’s largest family-owned facilities management services company. At OCS, he played a pivotal role in building out the leadership team, executing the commercial transformation of the business, and acquiring & integrating other facilities management businesses. He has also served as the Managing Director for Asia and Vice President for APAC of Sodexo Group, a Fortune Global 500 company that is the leading provider of Food and Facilities Management services.

Gilles holds dual Post-graduate degrees in Business & Finance and Philosophy from the University of Paris-La Sorbonne in France.

Trevor has over 20 years of experience in international education with a highly successful track record of leadership of British international schools and a breadth of experience working alongside local educators. Having previously spent 5 years in Malaysia guiding the Alice Smith Secondary School to achieve an outstanding accreditation in a British Overseas School inspection alongside exam results in the top 5% of the world, he has since gone on to lead an IB World School in the UK, an international secondary school in Qatar and a 3-18 international school in China.

Additional professional achievements include membership of a Global Executive Committee looking at strategic school development, leading on teaching and learning audits as part of school inspections, leading on cross-schools policy development and membership of the International and Comparative Education Research Centre Cluster at the University of Durham. Trevor has also presented on a range of education topics, including at the FOBISEA Heads and Senior Managers Conference, the British Council and to over 300 school leaders in Malaysia at the invitation of the MoE. He has written articles for CEM Insight on the use of diagnostic and assessment data to drive up performance.

Committed to the value of an international education and the importance of a progressive education for children growing up in the 21st Century, he is looking forward to the opportunity to contribute both to the further development of education within Malaysia and the XCL family as part of his role as Executive Principal at Sri KDU Kota Damansara where he feels privileged to be working alongside passionate local and international educators in helping the schools deliver amongst the very best future-focused education for our students.

Andress Goh is Managing Director and Head of the Singapore office for Allianz Private Equity Partners (APEP). At APEP, Andress focuses primarily on investment activities across Asia and is a member of the APEP Global Investment Committee.

Before working for APEP, Andress worked in the Special Investments team of GIC where she was active in leading European private equity fund and co-investments from 1999. She started her career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore (Singapore, Germany & US).

Andress received her MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.

Billy has over 15 years of investment, operations and management consulting experience in Asia Pacific. Prior to joining XCL Education, Billy was at A-Star-Education, a global education group that served more than 25,000 students across the K-12, enrichment, and university prep sectors, where he was responsible for the Group’s corporate development activities.

Prior to A-Star-Education, Billy was at Arowana International, a specialist mid-market investment group in Australia, where he was responsible for investments, growth and portfolio company management; covering multiple industries, including the Vocational Education & Training (VET) sector.

Billy also previously worked at Deloitte’s Restructuring and Advisory practice; successfully advising and executing on profit improvement and turnaround strategies as well as M&A transactions for clients across a range of industries.

A native of Australia, Billy is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales.