Facilitators

• Debbie Downes
  The International Centre of Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC)
  Director of Global School Initiatives
  

  In August 2022, Debbie Downes joined The International Centre of Missing and Exploited Children as the Director of Global School Initiatives. In this role, she develops and provides child protection training, support, and resources to schools around the world. She has been supporting ICMEC’s work as a regional trainer since July 2020.

  Debbie has worked in international education for 18 years, first as an elementary teacher, then as a school principal, and then as the Accreditation and Child Protection Lead for Quality Schools International. She developed and revised handbooks, policies, and resources to support child protection efforts at a group of 36 international schools. She also supported schools with on-site and virtual professional development.

  Debbie’s background in child protection includes an MSW from the University of California at Berkeley and several years of experience working in the court unit of Children and Family Services in Contra Costa County, California. Debbie’s overseas career began with 3 years as a health education volunteer with the Peace Corps in Kolda, Senegal. She has since lived with her husband, 2 children, and 2 rescue dogs in Thailand, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, and her current location of Minsk, Belarus.

• Dr. Jordan Greenbaum
  The International Centre of Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC)
  Medical Director
  

  Jordan is a retired child abuse physician, a board member of the International Society on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) and a past president of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. She has provided training and technical assistance to international school staff, health and mental health professionals, as well as social workers, law enforcement officers and prosecutors globally to improve the community response to child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. She provides training and technical assistance regarding the trauma-informed, rights-based approach to interacting with children and families who have experienced trauma related to sexual, physical or community violence, and forced migration.

• Calley Connelly
  International Community School of Addis Ababa
  Elementary Principal
  

  Calley Connelly is the Elementary Principal at the International Community School of Addis Ababa. Calley has over 20 years of educational and leadership experience and has led the Elementary School in Addis as it develops into a Learning Community model. The Elementary School was Awarded Exemplary PLC school status in 2021. Before joining ICS Addis, Calley was a mathematics learning coach with the American International School Chennai, India.

• Elmeka Henderson
  International School of Dakar
  Head of Student Support
  

  Elmeka Henderson is a seasoned educational psychologist with over 15 years of experience in helping students achieve their academic, social, and emotional learning goals. As the Head of Student Support at the International School of Dakar, Elmeka is deeply committed to addressing the intersectionality of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) and Child Protection, focusing on protecting students from identity-based harm and supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ children and youth on the African continent.

• Maipelo N'Guessan
  International Community School of Abidjan
  Service Learning Coordinator, Designated Safeguarding Lead
  

  Maipelo is a passionate educator with over twelve years of experience in Education. She is currently the Service Learning Coordinator and Designated Safeguarding Lead at the International Community School of Abidjan (ICSA) in Côte d’Ivoire. Maipelo holds a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University and has previously taught several high school science classes including Environmental Science and IB Chemistry. Maipelo also holds a certificate of International School Leadership and is currently a member of ICSA’s Senior Leadership Team.

  Maipelo is particularly interested in decolonial approaches to service learning programs through the critical examination of community interactions, disruption of harmful narratives and building authentic connections with communities.

• Kirsten Pontius
  International Wellbeing Consultant
  

  Kirsten Pontius is an international wellbeing consultant and holistic health coach with a diverse educational background spanning communications, a master’s in administration, and specialized training in behavioral science from Yale’s School of Public Health. Her expertise encompasses integrated nutrition, complemented by her role as a seasoned yoga instructor and training in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Kirsten’s dedication lies in fostering wellbeing within international communities, collaborating with schools, embassies, and organizations to provide comprehensive support for workplace wellbeing and assisting transient and international communities.

  Kristen draws from her vast experience living in locales such as Japan, The Republic of Georgia, Cambodia, Romania, and her current residence in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. Beyond her professional endeavors, Kirsten enjoys hiking, forest bathing, lakeside serenity in her home state of Minnesota, and exploration through travel.