#ISLECISLoft: Leadership Lessons Learned: 26 March
#ISLECISLoft: Leadership Lessons Learned: 26 March
Thursday, 26 March | 16:00 London time
Session Description:
The #ISLECISLoft session titled “Leadership Lessons Learned” brings together four accomplished and experienced international school Leaders. These Leaders will share their leadership journeys, highlighting the moments that shaped them, the challenges that stretched them, and the insights that continue to guide their practice.
This #ISLECISLoft is a perfect session for both new and experienced leaders seeking fresh perspectives and understandings.
This is not a panel. Instead, participants will take part in two rounds of 20-minute small-group conversations, each hosted by one of the leaders. This format provides an opportunity to connect, pose questions, and explore leadership lessons that resonate with individual professional aspirations.
The session will conclude with all four Leaders reflecting on the common themes that emerged and the insights that can strengthen leadership practice in international school settings. It promises to be a memorable and meaningful conversation.
Participant Takeaways:
- Engagement with experienced international school leaders, exploring the stories and experiences that shaped their leadership.
- A small-group format that fosters honest dialogue, curiosity, and shared learning.
- Practical insights and leadership lessons that can be applied immediately within an international school context.
- Leaders
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Bridget Davies currently works as Director of Luanda International School (LIS), a position she has held since July 2024. Prior to working at LIS, Bridget held the role of Superintendent at Khartoum American School in Sudan. Her career within the sphere of international schools began 16 years ago as a French teacher in Kigali. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) in Modern Foreign Languages from the University of Nottingham.
- Iain Fish has worked in education for nearly thirty years, teaching and leading schools in the UK, Europe and in South-East Asia. He has held roles including Head of Secondary, Vice Principal, IB Diploma Coordinator and Director, and has chaired both the Singapore IB Heads Network and the Saigon International School Heads Network. Grounded in nearly three decades of international leadership, Iain believes that schools thrive when courage, joy and compassion come together. Before becoming Director of the International School of Luxembourg in August 2025, Iain served as Upper School Principal at ISL, where he focused on developing wellbeing structures and systems, introducing the MYP, and promoting reflective capacity. Prior to moving to Luxembourg, Iain led the European International School in Ho Chi Minh City through enrolment growth, campus expansion and CIS accreditation, and helped found and grow the European Section of the German European School Singapore.
Estelle Hughes is Middle School Head at the French International School of Oregon. Her 20 year career in international education led her to work in India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Senegal and the USA. Estelle is the Founder of the writing competition ‘Peace You have My Word,’ a project that has inspired students from Africa and the world to write about peace from an intercultural perspective. Via the organization Africa Learning International that she founded, Estelle brings together international educators and African teachers from national school systems through conferences, training or important educational conversations. We are all interconnected as humans, we are one. This vision based on the Ubuntu philosophy is a powerful North Star for Estelle’s leadership. Empowering student voice and agency through learning is her way to change the world one student at a time.
Links
Peace Based Educational leadership
Nurturing passion for Global Citizenship
An African perspective on DEIJ
- Website: https://tissiconsulting.com/twice/
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixPZfmtfOzSJeLRTcinGbg
Nunana Nyomi, a Third-Culture Kid of Ghanaian and American heritage, is passionate about inclusion. Currently Secondary Principal at Ecolint’s Campus des Nations, he has led numerous workshops on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). Previously, he served as DEIJ Coordinator at Leysin American School and co-chaired the Accreditation Committee of the International School Anti-Discrimination Taskforce. Nunana also worked with the Council of International Schools (CIS), supporting student transitions and promoting inclusion. He has also worked in higher education, directing international student admissions. With an MA in Lifelong Education from Michigan State and a BA in International Relations from Calvin University, he enjoys exploring intercultural connections.