Advisory Board

International School Parent and Engineer

Francisco Marambio is a father of two elementary school-aged boys with neurodivergent behaviors that became apparent during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Since receiving his children’s diagnoses, he has sought out neurodiversity resources, started parent support groups, and formed care networks for his family across the United States, Mexico, Uruguay, and Ecuador.

Francisco has a BS in Computer Engineering and a Masters in Systems Engineering with a Certificate in Robotics. He transitioned in 2018 from a career in information technology and satellite prototypes to being a stay at home parent and avid volunteer. He has volunteered his time at various PTAs, community associations, and founded and facilitated the Neurodiversity and Special Needs Parent Support Group at both the Uruguayan American School in Montevideo and Academia Cotopaxi in Quito. Francisco enjoys playing soccer, practicing music, creating video games, and working on robotics projects.

Disabled Educator, Disability Inclusion Advocate, Author

Nicole strives to educate on the importance of inclusion, disability identity, advocacy, equity and belonging. A disabled inclusive educator for over 32 years. Nicole has worked in Greece, the US, Russia and Finland. She has presented workshops on educational trends, and participated in podcasts and blogs. Since leaving the International School of Helsinki, Nicole has recently discovered a love for writing and has published poetry online. Nicole is an active member of the Diversability Leadership Collective and SENIA Europe. In addition Nicole has also been nominated to Diversability’s 2024 D-30 Disability Impact List for her continued efforts.

Nicole has an M.A in Education and an M.Ed in International Counseling.  Her hobbies include reading, singing, baking, flower rescue and spending time with friends and her toy poodle Sisu.

Former Director of International School of Kigali. Inclusion and Leadership Consultant to multiple schools in Africa, and the Ministry of Education in Rwanda while working part-time at 60 minutes featured SOLA school in Kigali

Lauren Jones is an educational consultant specializing in inclusion and leadership, currently based in Kigali, Rwanda. She is the previous Director of the International School of Kigali where she developed a comprehensive special education program, along with implementing unique programs to promote connection to the local culture and context. Lauren is passionate about supporting schools in developing more equitable and accessible programming and cultures.

Assessment, Wellbeing and DEIJB Consultant, The Mona Lisa Effect®

Following 25 years as an educator, leader and Principal both in the UK and international sectors, Matthew’s work now explores the spaces where wellbeing and belonging intersect with diversity, equity and inclusion, through the prism of ‘warm’ and kind, ‘street’ and slow data. Architect of The Mona Lisa Effect®, he works students, staff, parents and board members in international schools worldwide, helping them ensure that every single child, without condition or exception, can “be seen, be heard, be known and belong”. Both of his adult, trans and neurodivergent children are ‘survivors’ of the international education system, and Matthew now lives on the Isle of Skye with his wonderful wife, atypical dog, and occasional wheelchair.

International School Parent, International Development and Children’s Rights, Board Chair of SENIA Denmark

Delia is the Board Chair of the newly established SENIA Denmark chapter. Delia’s professional background is in international development and child rights, working across East Africa and Europe for non-governmental organizations focused on advocating for the rights of children, including those with disabilities. She also has experience leading UK based education-focused charitable organizations and feels strongly about access to education as a tool for empowerment. Delia led the Learning Support PTA group at her son’s international school for several years and is a passionate advocate for children with the greatest needs.

ES EAL Coordinator @ Saigon South International School

Ceci (she.her.ella) is a collaborator, coach and advocate who empowers educators to create equitable learning opportunities for all language learners. Born and raised in Guatemala City, Ceci grew up in a unique bilingual household nurtured by her family who valued languages equally. Inspired by her own upbringing and her extensive experience in international schools, Ceci now leads a support program for multilingual learners based on practices which ensure culturally responsive teaching and equitable access. You can connect with Ceci through her professional portfolio cgomez.mystrikingly.com.

International School Parent, Co-founder of NeuroNomads: a podcast about all things expat and neurodiversity 

Dallia is a mother of three neurodiverse children that has lived in nine different countries, navigating the complexities of international education and advocating for necessary accommodations in expat international schools. Through these diverse experiences, Dallia has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs of raising neurodiverse children in a global context. Dallia’s commitment to fostering inclusive educational environments drives her passion for supporting and empowering other families in similar situations. Dallia is currently living in Abu Dhabi and advocating for the inclusion of neurodiverse children there. 

Educational consultant and founder of the HAGT Learners Collaborative

Anita conducts professional development workshops, comprehensive school audits, and provides courses and ongoing coaching for school leaders and faculty at a number of private international schools with European and American curricula. She previously coordinated special education programs and created gifted education programs at the American School of Bombay, the American School of Doha, and Academia Cotopaxi. Prior to relocating abroad, Anita supported more than a dozen schools in her role as a program specialist in the Los Angeles Unified School District in California. She has a master’s degree in special and gifted education, a K-12 principal’s license, certification as an educational diagnostician, certification as an instructional coach, and she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. In addition to presenting regularly at regional and worldwide educational conferences, Anita serves as a New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation school visitor, as a professional mentor for the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC), and as a SENIA India Board Member.

International School Parent, Transition Mentor, Therapist

Carolina is a multi-cultural international transition mentor, a therapist, an author and a seasoned expat herself. She serves international individuals and families through one to one sessions, and works with corporations to support their expats. She wrote the books “Lar Mundo Afora” (Portuguese) and “Un Hogar Lejos De Casa” (Spanish), directed to the globally mobile population.

International Community School of Addis Ababa, Student Transition Education Program Instructor. Ph.D. in progress on post-secondary options for neurodivergent learners

Roslyn has two children with Autism and one with Dyslexia. She passionately advocates for the inclusion of neurodivergent learners in international schools. She is a Secondary Life-Centered Education (LCE) instructor at AIS Jeddah. Roslyn combines engaging academics, socialization, executive functioning, and self-determination skills in her teaching approach, emphasizing independence. Over 21 years, she has taught in Kazakhstan, South Korea, UAE, Peru and Saudi Arabia, in roles including elementary teacher, PYP Coordinator, and Secondary Learning Support Coordinator. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education through the University of Northern Colorado, her research focuses on postsecondary transition programs, self-determination, and Universal Design for Learning.

School psychologist in Maryland, founder of SAGE Consulting

Ms. Smith is a school psychologist, and founder of SAGE Education Consulting. She is based in Maryland, USA. She advocates for students with diverse needs and has assisted in the development of educational programming for hundreds of students with various learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, Autism, ADHD, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, and orthopedic impairments. She has also served as Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Coach and Therapeutic Team Lead. Ms. Smith has extensive knowledge of school-based support teams within multi-tiered support systems and has helped school teams establish a more welcoming environment for students, regardless of disabilities or backgrounds.

Founder and education consultant at Journey 2 Bloom

Lisa Richer is a certified Neurodiversity Consultant who believes we must first seek to understand the learner to effectively support their unique needs and development goals. She is a sought-after podcast guest and speaker on Neurodiversity and Inclusion. Lisa serves as Neurodiverse Learners Advisory Committee Chair at The Mandala School and is Executive Board Chair for By, With and For Autistic Adults. A parent of 2 neurodivergent boys with over 20 years combined Leadership, Human Resources, Training, Neurodiversity Consulting experience, and years as an Elite level athlete, Lisa leverages her lived experiences and professional training in her consultancy, Journey 2 Bloom.

Learning Support at American International School of Johannesburg, Founder of iLabSchool Online Intervention Clinic

Fi is a dedicated inclusion advocate with over 15 years of experience as a Learning Support Teacher and Reading Specialist in elementary and middle schools in both Asian and African regions. She has a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from the University of the Philippines and is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She promotes the importance of accommodating diverse learning needs within the mainstream classroom through co-teaching, utilizing a multi-tiered system of support, differentiation and modification tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. Fi firmly believes that education should be a transformative and inclusive experience for every learner. Fi is also the founder of iLabSchool, an online intervention clinic, providing literacy and numeracy intervention support to students across continents who have limited access to outside support services.

Founder and CEO of Northshore Learning

Jessica has worked with schools worldwide as an instructor, a professor of education and classroom management, and as a consultant. She is passionate about helping to equip educators to work with students with varying academic and behavioral needs. Dr. Werner specializes in behavior support, including social and emotional learning, student regulation and self-management, wholistic approaches to student behavior and communication for students in both the general classroom and also students with additional learning needs.

Professor & Curriculum Designer for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners – Relay Graduate School of Education; Inclusion, Curriculum Design & Instructional Consultant

MaryAnn DeRosa, Ed.D is a passionate progressive educator with over 20 years experience working in the classroom as a teacher, special educator, and instructional and SEL/Equity coach. As a teacher-leader and teacher-trainer, she has led professional development on topics including SEL, Equity and Inclusion, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, UDL, and Cultivating Creativity. MaryAnn earned her doctorate from Northeastern University with coursework focused on social justice and equity in education. Always from a change agent lens, her research centers on fostering creativity and designing inclusive, justice-centered engaging learning environments. MaryAnn has spent her career teaching in Washington DC charter and public schools as well as in international schools in China, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Milan, Italy. MaryAnn is a member of AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color) and an ASCD Champions in Education. 

Head of educational partnerships at iCanStudy; former international school teacher and director; consultant who supports school accreditation for a leading accreditation agency

Leo Thompson is Head of Educational Partnerships for ‘learning to learn’ specialists, iCanStudy. He has nearly 25 years of experience in international education through multiple roles as teacher, school director and contracted accreditation agency consultant. Leo has written and spoken extensively on well-being, inclusion, global citizenship and learning; looking at ways that schools can truly empower individuals to become their best selves; and be happy, safe, connected, and in good mental health. To move the education industry forward, Leo designed the Inclusion Umbrella model that is now widely used and referenced. An IFIP Distinguished Fellow recognised for his work supporting inclusion, Leo is based in Vienna and a proud dad of twins!

Lead Learning Specialist, Keystone Academy in Beijing, China

Meera Raghu has an unwavering dedication and passion to provide the best possible options for the children, families, and colleagues she works with. As an educator and active member of SENIA, she specializes in language learning, reading and writing difficulties, and the behavioral challenges that often accompany these issues. She has a wealth of experience in the fields of Dyslexia therapy, learning needs, and inclusion at international schools — both established and founding institutions — for over 18 years. She has organized workshops and delivered presentations to inspire and train fellow educators. Meera actively contributes to the pastoral aspects of school life beyond academics, fostering the well-rounded development of students’ emotional and social well-being. Meera’s commitment to students has earned her recognition from school leaders and parents alike. She is a strong proponent of student voice and self-advocacy.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Meera finds joy in spending time with her family, indulging in reading, exploring her culinary skills, and embarking on new travel adventures.

Neurodivergent Consultant Psychotherapist and founder of Untangling Minds

Emmeline is on a mission to break down the barriers to mental health support for neurodivergent individuals. Autistic and diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. She combines her lived experience with over 30 years of work in social services, international school counseling, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy—offering a fresh, humanistic perspective on neurodiversity.

As a solo parent of three sons, spanning their teens to thirties, Emmeline knows firsthand the unique challenges neurodiverse families face. From navigating special education systems to international schooling, she’s experienced the ups, downs, and occasional sideways journeys. In her work, Emmeline brings a mix of humor and heart, speaking on neurodiversity and neuro-inclusion with a focus on practical, real-life strategies. Her therapies and group workshops aim to empower neurodivergent individuals and their allies by creating supportive, neuro-inclusive spaces where everyone’s voice is heard, valued, and celebrated—even if it takes a bit of creative chaos to get there!

Head of Learning Support Services​, Kampala International School Uganda

Kelvin is a passionate advocate for inclusive education, with expertise in special education and student-centered methodologies. His experience includes building learning support teams, developing and implementing data-driven strategies to enhance student outcomes. He focuses on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and evidence-based practices to ensure equitable access to education for all students.

In leadership roles across international schools, Kelvin empowers educators to integrate inclusive practices into mainstream classrooms, improving both academic and social outcomes. He is committed to continuous growth and innovation in advancing global education inclusion and shifting culture around schools.