The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) Board is thrilled to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Imende as AISA’s next Executive Director to commence in July 2024. Elizabeth will work with the AISA Board to build on the exemplary work of Dr. Peter Bateman, who has led the association for the last 15 years.

Elizabeth has a number of close connections to Africa. An American born to a Kenyan father and a Ugandan mother, Elizabeth went to Kenya at the age of six and attended two international schools in Nairobi from Grade 1-12. Elizabeth’s education continued in the US, where she studied English at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem followed by a Masters in Education in Teaching and Learning and Adult Development at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge Massachusetts.

Elizabeth has been an English teacher in both the US and Germany and was a Supervisor at Northeastern University in Boston, observing and evaluating teachers who were pursuing their license in education. She has also served as the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at the American International School of Cape Town.

Elizabeth was the Founder and Director of Advancing Educators, consulting with schools and organisations around the world, leading multi-year systemic change, serving as an Executive Coach for Directors of Teaching and Learning, and training faculty from a number of international schools in effective curriculum planning practices. She has led professional development on DEIJ and Governance, both issues that are current priorities for AISA. She has presented workshops at AISA conferences for the last 10 years or so and has also been a regular presenter at other regional conferences around the world.

Elizabeth is currently the Assistant Head of School at an independent school in California, Chadwick School, Palos Verdes, where she also previously served as the acting Head of School during a period of transition. Elizabeth will be moving to Nairobi with her husband and two school-aged daughters.

On behalf of the AISA Board, I would like to thank all candidates who expressed interest in the Executive Director position and to everyone who assisted and supported the search process. I especially wish to thank Caroline Jacoby of SEARCH Associates, who was a tremendous support and ally during the entire process. Finally, I wish to thank Dr. Peter Bateman and the AISA Team, who have put AISA in the fortunate position of being a leading international organisation capable of attracting some of the top talent in the world.

Written by Dr. Daniel Jubert, AISA Board Chair