Ahmet Aydın is COO of Constructor Knowledge and Vice President of Growth and Engagement at Constructor University. He leads international student recruitment, marketing, communications, events, and CRM across a global higher education ecosystem. With over 15 years of experience in international education and digital growth, Ahmet brings a strategic, data-driven perspective to innovation, partnerships, and scalable education models worldwide.

Akos Kiraly is a senior leader in international higher-education marketing and strategic sales. With extensive experience across institutions including Lancaster University Leipzig, SRH Hochschule Berlin and GISMA Business School, he specialises in global student recruitment, business development and growth strategies. As Prokurist at SRH Higher Education GmbH in Heidelberg, he drives international expansion initiatives, including new market development and partnerships. A multilingual speaker, he regularly delivers workshops and lectures across Europe on topics such as internationalisation.

Alexandra is the Managing Partner of College Contact, an AIRC-certified student recruitment agency based in Frankfurt that supports students from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in finding the right study abroad opportunities. With an academic background in international relations and 20+ years of experience in international education, she is a passionate advocate for studying abroad and the transformative power of intercultural learning, and currently serves as an agency delegate on the AIRC Board of Directors

I have extensive experience in international student recruitment, having worked at the universities of Oxford, Southampton, and Sussex (UK). Over the years, I have led teams responsible for recruitment across the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as developing strategies for recruitment through pathways and from international schools worldwide. In my current role as Deputy Associate Director International at Sussex, I manage marketing, administrative, and agent-facing teams. In 2025, I was proud to be nominated for a Sussex Award for my work with Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars, which I combined with my long-standing commitment to mentoring and Widening Participation. I was Project Lead for the University of Oxford’s first-ever Virtual Open Day in 2020, which reached over 30,000 prospective students globally, and received a Senior Leadership Team Recognition Award for this work. 

With over two decades of experience across Europe, the Americas and Asia, Alix Hernández has shaped the international education landscape through leadership roles in admissions, marketing, and community relations. Her work draws on strong insights from student recruitment, global mobility, community engagement and strategic enrolment. Passionate about global citizenship, intercultural communication, DEI and human centred service design, she is currently based in Shanghai and using this transition period to deepen her sector engagement. A past recipient of the CIS Future Leader Award, she remains committed to strengthening inclusive and globally minded learning ecosystems.

Amanda Johnson, Ph.D., is Director of Kent State University’s Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, where she leads major global engagement initiatives, teacher-training programs, and international partnerships across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. With more than 20 years of experience in international education, she has designed and managed multimillion-dollar U.S. Department of State–funded exchanges, microcredential programs, and global leadership trainings for thousands of educators worldwide. A strategic thinker and advocate for global learning, Dr. Johnson brings deep expertise to impactful teaching and learning.

Dr. Andrés González is a political scientist based in Quito-Ecuador. He obtained his PhD in Political Science and International Relations at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich and has taught in several universities and high schools in Germany and Ecuador. He is the President and Academic Director of POLITIKUM, a private education corporation based in Quito and Berlin. The work of POLITIKUM is focused on citizenship and political education, as well as on academic and professional coaching for high school and university students. POLITIKUM’s latest project is the promotion of the concept of Corporate Political Responsibility for companies in Ecuador and Latin America. Dr. González is also the author of the book “Governance for the 21st Century: The Fight Against Corruption in Latin America (LIT Publishing House).

Professor Angelos Stefanidis is the Founding Dean of the School of AI and Advanced Computing at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China. He is an experienced academic leader with a long record of international partnership development, large-scale programme innovation, and strategic research growth across AI, digital health, IoT and computing. His career spans senior roles in the UK and China, with achievements in transnational education, industry collaboration, and large research initiatives. A Chartered IT Professional and Fellow of the HEA, he has chaired major reviews, led accreditation processes, and contributed extensively to global higher education development.

Anne Marie Graham has extensive experience of international education and has led a range of high-profile education programmes and projects promoting study mobility and international partnership, with senior leadership roles at UKCISA and Association of Commonwealth Universities, and impactful programme management at Universities UK International, and the UK's National Centre for Languages. Before moving into the education sector, Anne Marie spent several years in the language services industry managing high-profile accounts with multinational engineering and pharmaceutical companies.

I am a graduate of Istanbul University, Department of Economics, with nearly 20 years of experience in international education consultancy based in Istanbul. For the past 10 years, I have been working with my spouse under the umbrella of Real International Education. I have supported hundreds of Turkish students in achieving their dreams of studying abroad, helping them build better lives through the international education opportunities they pursued.

Becky leads work in higher education at the intersection of global engagement, enrolment, and institutional change. She has worked across international campuses, partnerships, and complex cross-functional initiatives, often brought in to create clarity, alignment, and momentum in complex and evolving environments. She is known for stepping into ambiguity and turning it into focused, practical action by bringing people together, staying curious, challenging assumptions, and moving priorities forward. Recognized as a 40 Under 40 leader, she brings a collaborative style, strategic insight, and a commitment to fostering inclusive, globally connected learning environments.

Carmel has significant Executive expertise in International Higher Education, in strategy design and execution. Her most recent role was as Executive Director International at the University of Melbourne, where she delivered international student business growth and developed and led key partnership relationships. Carmel has experience as a non Executive Director of on and offshore companies. Carmel now consults across International Higher Education, mentors International professionals and appreciates volunteering for Make-A-Wish.

Catherine Winter is Group CEO of Ecctis and Enroly, representing long-established expertise in international education, qualifications and skills, alongside the UK’s leading platform for universities in student compliance, visa and arrival management. Catherine has over 30 years’ experience across education, commercial, and not-for-profit sectors, with a particular focus on qualifications, regulation, and international education systems. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, her work centres on how education frameworks can support mobility, recognition, and student outcomes across borders.

Before joining Ecctis, Catherine spent eight years at the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), where she led the development of qualifications delivered to more than 1,000 schools and colleges in the UK and internationally. Working closely with the Department for Education and Ofqual, she developed provision aligned to regulatory requirements while responding to the needs of learners, institutions, and employers. She also supported large-scale education projects across the MENA and Indo-China regions.

Catherine holds a degree in Economic History from the University of Liverpool and a Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education. Her professional interests include education quality, innovation in qualifications design, and the role of trusted standards in an increasingly global education landscape.

Dr. Cheryl Matherly serves as vice president and vice provost for international affairs at Lehigh University, guiding its internationalization strategy. In 2021, Lehigh received NAFSA’s Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. Dr. Matherly’s work focuses on employability and education abroad, especially regarding international internships and experiential learning. A former AIEA president, she was named SIO of the Year by IIE in 2020 and recognized by PIE as one of North America’s 50 Voices. She holds an Ed.D. from the University of Houston, an M.S. from Indiana University, and a B.A. from the University of New Mexico, and is a two-time Fulbright recipient.

Christina Bosilo, Director of Brock International, has more than 15 years of experience in post-secondary education, including recruitment, admissions and student awards. Christina has a deep understanding of the impact that effective internationalization can have, and the importance of embedding this work throughout many academic, administrative, and student experiences. Christina re-joined Brock International after 5 years in the office of the registrar, as Director of Admissions. Prior to her role in admissions, Christina spent 11 years in international services, support services for international students, student mobility and strategic partnership experience. She received her education at Brock with a Masters in Political Science (International Relations specialization), and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science.

Christopher is the CEO of the ILSC Education Group, which encompasses ELS Language Centers, ILSC Language Schools, and Greystone College locations across Australia, Canada, India, and the USA. Christopher is an experienced senior executive in the higher education sector, having held roles at vocational colleges in Canada and the USA and was previously a VP in EY's Transaction Advisory Services Group. Since 2020, Christopher has been an active Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors of Languages Canada. He is the Vice Chair of the Canadian CIRP Qualification Program and has been involved in its education process since 2011.

Conrad Heyns is the Director of the Centre for Academic Language and Literacies at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is an inspector for five different quality assurance schemes: the BALEAP Accreditation Scheme (BAS), the Evaluation and Accreditation of Quality Language Services (Eaquals), the International House World Organisation (IHWO), the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) TrustEd scheme. He also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP).

I have worked in international education throughout my career, primarily in student recruitment related roles. Predominantly, I have specialised in the Middle East, as I was Regional Manager for the University of Birmingham in this region for 3 years, and have also worked on the Chevening Scholarship reading committees for countries in this region for a number of years. I currently lead the Professional Services Team in the Law School at the University of Birmingham, and have oversight of our international partnerships, being an integral part of the team that launched an undergraduate law degree in Dubai, and having worked to establish partnerships in Malaysia, Thailand and Canada.

David is the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sri Lanka) of Edith Cowan University and the CEO of ECSLS. His career in international education spans over 30 years across Australia, Canada, the USA, Malaysia, Japan, Turkey and Europe and over the last 5 years he set up ECU’s new campus in Sri Lanka as well as supporting and establishing two other TNE projects in Asia for other Australian and UK universities.

Devina Sivagurunathan is the Executive Director of MABECS, Malaysia’s most experienced UK education agency. Devina has 20 years of student recruitment experience in Malaysia and the UK. She was an International Officer at The University of Warwick and SOAS, University of London. She had a short foray into the world of football when she spent a year as the International Marketing Manager at UCFB. She then spent two years as the Head of International Recruitment at the University of the Arts London before deciding it was time to move to warmer climes to helm MABECS. 

Dirk Figueiredo is a senior international education leader with over 25 years’ experience across education, aviation and sales. Currently Global Sales Manager at Wimbledon School of English, he works closely with executive leadership on international growth, market strategy and partner development across Europe, Asia and Latin America. His perspective is shaped by long term, cross cultural collaboration with international agents, institutions and education networks.

I have over 20 years of experience in international education, with a background spanning international admissions, student recruitment, pastoral care, and business development. I’m passionate about connecting people, building partnerships, and creating global opportunities that empower students and institutions. Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to advancing global engagement and fostering meaningful relationships that make a lasting impact.

Head of Higher Education International Marketing Education and Youth Board of Estonia, Estonia Eero Loonurm has been active in higher education internationalisation for nearly 15 years. His responsibilities in the Estonian Education and Youth Board include the development and execution of the national higher education marketing strategy for "Study in Estonia" and representing Estonia in communications-related working groups on the state level and European level. He is the marketing and communications expert in promoting Europe as a study destination for the European Commission project “Study in Europe”

Elaine Cunningham-Walker is a globally recognised education strategist and founder of Everything’s Education, a premium advisory firm serving high net worth families, independent schools, and institutions across the UK, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States. Featured in Forbes, The Times, BBC, Channel 5 and The Telegraph, she is known for bridging global education systems and creating strategic pathways for the next generation of leaders. Elaine has led international education missions to Ghana and speaks on admissions excellence, diaspora engagement, and educational investment. As a mother of two Mensa endorsed sons who play seven instruments at distinction level, she brings lived insight to her work. As a judge, she evaluates excellence through impact, innovation, and integrity.

With over 35 years experience working in leadership roles in tertiary education, with a [articular focus upon international education I have a deep understanding of the sector both locally and(Australia) and more broadly. I have held senior roles on peak bodies and provided detailed advise and guidance on numerous government committees (state and federal) in relation to international students & providers, students safety & wellbeing, academic matters and more. I currently convene IHEAs International provider network (since 2022), and was recently elected to the executive of ISANA. I am an active member of IEAA and have strong working relationships with English Australia.

Flora took up the position of CEO at the Chartered Association of Business Schools and Executive Director of the Small Business Charter on 1st May 2023. Prior to this, she was the Director of Financial Services at the CBI. Whilst there she was responsible for directing the CBI’s lobbying on issues related to financial services, including sustainable finance and for the development of guidance materials for small and mid-tier businesses She also had the responsibility for the CBI’s overall relationship management with the key UK and global players in the financial services sector. Prior to joining the CBI in 2014, Flora has worked for the ATM Industry Association, Public Relations Consultants Association and Association of Measurement & Evaluation of Communication. Her earlier career included working for The Profile Group, BBC Worldwide and Two-Ten Communications, a Press Association subsidiary.

François is a senior higher education leader and international consultant with 30 years of experience across six countries on four continents. He specialises in university strategy, research management, and global education trends, with significant leadership roles in Africa, Asia, and Europe. François advises universities on branding, talent, and research impact, regularly publishing and consulting for global academic audiences. He is also deeply interested in sustainable development and integrating innovation and AI into academic strategy, and is an active content creator and advocate for international collaboration in the sector.

Gavin has had 30 years of experience in education. He has held numerous leadership roles with the New Zealand education system including roles as an Assistant and Deputy Principal. Currently as International Director at Nayland College, Gavin is responsible for the marketing, recruitment and pastoral care of the international students attending the College from various countries around the world. Gavin is passionate about international globalisation and providing opportunities for students to experience different cultures. In 2024 Gavin was awarded the Schools International Business Association of New Zealand (SIEBA) Service Award for Outstanding Leadership in International Education.

With nearly two decades in global marketing, I specialise in shaping education products that reach learners everywhere. My career spans leadership roles at the British Council, Pearson, and Kaplan, where I’ve launched international campaigns, built digital strategies, and enabled global sales teams. Growing up in a family of educators, I’ve focused my work on international education—where technology, AI, curriculum and pedagogy intersect to expand access to high-quality learning worldwide. I’m passionate about elevating student experience, supporting cross-border mobility, and building brands that help learners achieve their ambitions in an increasingly global, connected world.

Holly Sanders is the Chief Transformation Officer at World Education Services. Currently, she oversees a multi-year project that aims to improve technological and organisational structures that undergird WES’ core business so that the organisation continues to grow in a dynamic and competitive landscape. Throughout her career, Holly has taken on complex projects that need strategic oversight and a strong and decisive leader who can manage competing departmental priorities. With a well-earned reputation as a highly effective problem-solver, Holly is also an empathetic leader who looks for ways to blend the strengths of people, processes, and technology to improve results and drive change.

Dr Ianis G. Matsoukas is Deputy Principal (Strategic Projects & Reputation) and a member of the Academic Council of the University of Keele – Greece. He led the full development and establishment of the University of Keele’s Greek campus, including the academic, regulatory, and partnership frameworks underpinning its new School of Medicine. An international higher education strategist with a PhD from Warwick and postdoctoral research at Cornell, ETH-Zurich, and Warwick, he previously served in senior UK HE roles and now shapes governance, innovation, and institutional visibility across Europe, contributing regularly to QS Conferences, Times Higher Education, and British Council fora.

I lead global student recruitment and admissions at University College London, driving bold transformation that reimagines how students connect with higher education worldwide. With nearly two decades of experience, I’ve championed data-driven innovation, digital engagement, and market diversification to deliver growth and equity at scale. My work spans pioneering CRM strategies, international partnerships, and scholarship frameworks. Currently completing a Doctorate at the University of Bath, I explore the global marketisation of higher education. As a UCAS board member, I've shaped sector-wide strategy and advocate for ideas that inspire change and redefine student engagement globally.

Jonathan Galloway is a Professor of Comparative Competition Law and Regulation, an Attorney at Law (New York), and is the Provost and CEO of Newcastle University’s campus in Singapore. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to his role, having held various leadership positions across a diverse range of portfolios and disciplines, including Head of Newcastle Law School, and Associate Dean for Internationalisation and Strategic Projects. His expertise lies in developing strategic partnerships, driving academic excellence, and fostering an inclusive culture of continuous improvement, whilst also being passionate about education, and global engagement, as drivers for social mobility.

Prof. José Celso Freire Junior has a PhD degree in Computer Science from Grenoble Alpes University, France. He is an Associate Professor at São Paulo State University, UNESP, in Brazil, and the current Associate Provost for International Affairs. Prof Freire is the President of FAUBAI, the Brazilian Association for International Education, and, in his internationalisation trajectory, has served as a panellist at several international education events, including Going Global, EAIE, NAFSA, and AIEA.

I have over a decade of experience in the international education industry, specialising in marketing, operations, event management and quality assurance. My career is driven by a passion for bringing the world closer together and delivering high-quality experiences for students, agents and partners. Alongside my role at Quality English, I founded Gecko Projects, providing reliable, hands-on support to organisations across the sector in my key areas of expertise. I also volunteer as an Assessor for Green Standard Schools, contributing to environmentally responsible practices. I am passionate about excellence and sustainability and committed to advancing quality across international education.

Dr. Kelly McGee is Senior Director, University Partnerships at EUSA - Academic Internship Experts, a non-profit educational organization that works in partnership with colleges to create for-credit academic internship programs across Europe. She has spent her career building and leading global initiatives in higher education, government and government-adjacent work, language-immersion programs, and the non-profit sphere, all of which have been formative to her philosophy around work in international education.

Kyla Steenhart is an experienced insights and research professional specialising in market intelligence and international education strategy. Based in New Zealand but with extensive global experience, she leads work that translates data into actionable insights to inform government and institutional decision-making, enhance student experience, and achieve global education ambitions. With a background in education-related policy, sector analysis and market research, Kyla brings a deep understanding of global trends shaping student mobility and engagement. She is passionate about using evidence-based insights to advance the role of education as a force for positive global impact.

Margherita is an accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in higher education, primarily at Università Cattolica (Italy), where she oversees partner relations and study abroad program development. She currently serves on the CANIE Global Board, following 2 years as the Europe President. Margherita has been a leading advocate for climate action in Higher Ed since 2020, contributing to the creation of the CANIE Accord and designing and leading the#TravelWithCANIE initiative that won the PIE Sustainability Int'l Impact Award in 2024. She is a certified expert in virtual and in-person training (EAIE, NAFSA, Forum). She holds 2 Master's degrees and speaks 4 languages fluently.

Maria de la Pisa has over 20 years of experience in international higher education and leads the University of Bristol’s International Partnerships and Relations team overseeing strategic and educational partnerships, transnational education projects and engagement with overseas sponsors and scholarship bodies. She also leads the strategic direction and development of Think Big, the University of Bristol’s highly successful flagship international scholarship scheme and development programme. Originally from Spain, Maria has pursued higher education studies in Belgium, Spain, the UK and the USA. Having benefited from transformative international scholarships herself, she is committed to creating opportunities that help students from across the world access higher education and life‑changing experiences.

At Waipapa Taumata Rau|University of Auckland, Martin has implemented an institution-wide internationalisation strategy that weaves Te Ao Māori indigenous principles into its design. With three decades of international education experience, Martin’s work has covered a broad portfolio of activities including admissions, recruitment, enquiries, mobility, partnerships, transnational education, student experience and marketing. Martin holds an MBA in Higher Education Management at the Institute of Education, University College London and is Co-Chair of Universities New Zealand’s International Committee.

A passionate driver of change and a fierce advocate for a diverse, global society, Melanie Macfarlane is a registered migration agent and a migrant herself to Australia. Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, she then grew up in Vanuatu and Indonesia and was educated in the UK. She founded her business MMMigration & Recruitment and VETA Education & Migration in 2007 and since then has helped over 10,000 migrants secure visas, from students to permanent residents, as a registered migration agent. She has a diverse team of migrants and Australians working together in the business and with her company’s mantra, Happy People Happy World, her aim is to help people reach their full potential, no matter what their background. Melanie acted as Chair of ISEAA, the International Students Education Agents Association, now merging with ECAA, and is State President of the Migration Institute of Australia NSW/ACT committee.

Montserrat Taylor is a Dubai based international education entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in global student mobility and education delivery. As Co-Founder and CEO of ES World, she has been instrumental in positioning Dubai as an international study destination and in building education platforms that respond to the evolving needs of students and institutions. She is recognised for her visionary leadership, innovative thinking, and ability to reimagine how international education is designed, delivered, and experienced.

Namita Lotlikar serves as the Founder and Chief Consultant of Ensquares Education Consulting Services, utilizing over 20 years of experience in student and faculty mobility along with institutional collaborations to assist universities in redefining their approach to internationalisation. Operating from Mumbai, India she provides guidance to both Indian and global higher education institutions on establishing lasting partnerships, developing transnational education (TNE) frameworks, and promoting student mobility initiatives. Through Ensquares, Namita collaborates with educational institutions and businesses within the international educational landscape to enhance their footprint in India while supporting Indian universities in achieving international recognition and excellence. She is an advocate for creating diverse TNE models focused on cross-border knowledge transfer that requires a comprehensive understanding of local cultures, educational standards, and communication methods. Ms. Lotlikar has expertise in market entry strategies and domestic representation for Global Higher Education Institutions interested in partnering with India. Her prior positions include serving as the India representative for the University of Lincoln in the UK and working as Country Manager at Nanyang Institute of Management in Singapore. She assists universities with operational planning, engagement with faculty members, and executing partnerships aimed at bolstering their global influence. Her initiatives highlight sustainability, innovation, and active involvement between students and academicians across borders.

I am a Director at Think Pacific, a UK social enterprise delivering ethical, high-impact global mobility programmes in Fiji, Bali and Thailand. With over 15 years’ experience building international partnerships across higher and further education, I specialise in sustainable programme design, student development and innovative approaches to global experiential learning. Under my leadership, Think Pacific was proud to win a PIEoneer Award in 2023 and be named a finalist again in 2025. I work closely with universities, governments and NGOs to create transformative, culturally immersive experiences that enhance student employability, global citizenship and long-term community impact.

Phil is an educator by trade and conviction. He is the Hooke Family Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership at the University of Sydney, which includes his role as the Founder and Director of the Sydney Character Initiative – Australia’s tertiary home for character education. He is the Founder and Managing Director of the CIRCLE Education Group including the global educational consulting agency a School for tomorrow. and its research institute CIRCLE - The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education. Phil is also Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and has been awarded Fellowships by the Teachers' Guild of NSW, the Royal Society of Arts, the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (at national and state levels) and the Institute of Management and Leadership. Internationally recognised for his work in character education, boys' education and leadership in the South Pacific, Professor Cummins has led an extensive global educational research program for the past decade, lectured and spoken widely (including at Oxford University), and is the author of over thirty five books and numerous other publications in his original discipline of history, and in future-fit educational strategy, leadership, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Most recently, in 2022 he co-authored Game Changers: Leading Today's Learning For Tomorrow's World, and in 2025, he released the Dr Phil Cummins Character Education Series and A Journey, all published by Amba Press. In 2026, he will be publishing two books for Amba on character and boys’ education that will contribute a distinctively Australian perspective of excellence and equity to the international conversation in both areas. Phil is also host of the Game Changers Podcast which now exceeds 1,000,000 episode listens in 18 series across more than 75 countries globally.

Philipp Reichert is a senior leader and strategist in international higher education, serving as director of global engagement at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus and founder of PN Reichert Consulting. He holds leadership roles with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), serves on the board of directors of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), and is a member of the UBC Board of Governors. His work bridges policy, institutional strategy, and the student experience, shaping national and international approaches to immigration, mobility, and global engagement.

Pooja drives the Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships between Australian and Indian institutions at the university and school level. In her numerous roles spanning two decades, she has worked across industries in the US, Germany, India and lived in Nigeria and the UK.​ Pooja’s commercial acumen and wealth of experience in the education sector are instrumental in advancing bilateral collaborations and fostering new opportunities for Australia-South Asia cooperation. She is also a motivational speaker and has spoken on numerous stages both in the corporate arena and education sector.

Full Professor of Applied Social Sciences at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, where he is also currently serving as Director of International Affairs. An Economist by training, he holds a PhD in Science and Technology Policy (2009) from UNICAMP with an internship at GeorgiaTech. He has experience in Social Studies of Science and Technology, working mainly on the following themes: technologies for social inclusion; technology and democracy; comparative science and technology policies.

A pioneer of the international education industry for over 30 years, Rob has helped create many of the world’s most celebrated initiatives. These have included the due diligence behind scores of offshore campuses, TNE partnerships, national brand strategies and new global ventures. 2014 recipient of the IEAA Award for Distinguished Contribution to International Education, he has conducted 160,000+ personal interviews across 38 countries, for 61 universities, 90 institutions, numerous governments & groups. Rob has worked across strategy, research, marketing & comms. He has world best practice due diligence credentials & exemplar knowledge of market behaviours, dynamics & selection drivers.

Rohit Sharma, previous CEO International for the IU Group. In his role, Rohit oversaw the UK & Canada operations, as well as spearheads the group’s expansion ambitions into additional markets worldwide. With extensive global experience across the human capital sector spanning higher education, workforce development, and assessments, Rohit has held key roles at Laureate Education, ThriveDX, ACAMS, and most recently at ETS.

Sabri Versan is Director of the International Marketing Office at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Türkiye. He leads global student recruitment, brand positioning, and international partnership strategies across diverse markets. With extensive experience in international higher education marketing, Sabri has worked closely with institutions, agencies, and stakeholders worldwide to enhance visibility and enrolment. His expertise spans market development, digital marketing, and cross-cultural engagement, supporting universities in navigating an increasingly competitive global education landscape and sustainable growth.

I have worked for 15 years in International Higher Education as part of BPP University. I have grown the Business School from 500 students in 2017 to 15,000 international students in 2025 and have led innovation across programme design, onboarding and support for international students. I have driven market development in regions such as India, Pakistan, Nepal and China and have set up a global recruitment office in Dubai. I am on the BPP Education Group executive team as the Chief of International Student Strategy and I am Dean of Higher Education within BPP University. In 2026 I will be leading BPP's global strategy including institutions in Canada and Australia.

I am the Chief Operating Officer of OneStep Global, a leading market-entry firm in South Asia supporting universities with transnational education, high school engagement, and government relations. Based in Gurgaon, I work closely with the founder to drive strategic growth and deliver impactful client solutions. With over 16 years of experience in international education, I have held leadership roles at ETS, Education New Zealand, and Domus Academy, following earlier positions with Pearson, NIIT, XSEED Education, and IndusInd Bank. My expertise spans student mobility, strategic partnerships, and market development across diverse global education ecosystems.

Sirin Myles is Co-Founder and Director of The IC Global, a training, development and consultancy organisation advancing internationalisation and global engagement in higher education. The IC Global was co-founded by Sirin and Charlene Allen in 2020, reflecting their shared commitment to building a supportive and values-led professional community for the sector. Sirin has over 25 years’ international leadership experience across diplomatic and higher education organisations, including senior roles at the British Council, the University of Southampton and the University of Reading. She now leads and works globally as a consultant, adviser and accredited leadership coach.

Dr Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools, is a passionate linguist and High Performance Learning (HPL) expert with over 30 years of senior leadership experience in Europe and the Middle East. He is an Honorary Vice President of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), a co-founder of the international division of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, and an HPL Fellow. He was named one of The PIE's 50 Voices 2025 – International Schools edition.

As founder and CEO of Interlearn Global, Stephen leads innovation for access to higher education around the world, building social-impact collaborative university programs for underserved students and families across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. With over three decades of academic and enterprise experience, and a rich background in teaching and learning, institutional partnerships, and strategic engagement across diverse interests, Stephen is committed to education as a force for personal, community, and global change. Prior to founding Interlearn Global, Stephen taught at Harvard University and served as Senior Vice President at Kaplan International. He is a graduate of Pomona College and Princeton University, where he received a PhD in modern European intellectual history.

Stephen Carey is a recognised global marketing and partnerships leader with 20+ years of success driving growth for English language assessments, and in supporting international education standards. Stephen has worked with governments, sector bodies and institutions to ensure they incorporate English Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) into their decision-making. Currently at ELSA, Stephen acts as Senior Advisor on partnership development and promotion of the authority, ensuring increased transparency and visibility for rigorous standards of validity, reliability, fairness and security – critical for ensuring the duty of care to international students, as well as ensuring long-term success for institutions. Stephen is highly regarded internationally as an expert in promotion, partnership development and testing, as well as being a passionate advocate for quality in international education, and soft power in international relations.

Combining his experience as current Chair of UNESCO's Global Recognition Convention with past experience as President of ENIC Recognition Network, Director of Academic Affairs at Norwegian HEI and as a diplomat to UNESCO, Stig Arne is well placed to offer expertise in international education. An active contributor of insights to international higher education media such as The PIE News, Stig Arne has also previously been nominated for The PIEoneer Awards twice.

Sunita is a collaborative data and strategy leader at Kaplan International, known for guiding teams toward insight-driven decision-making and meaningful business impact. She specialises in transforming complex data challenges into clear priorities, fostering strong partnerships across academic, commercial, and technical teams. With a focus on improving recruitment performance and enabling smarter forecasting, Sunita champions a culture where intent becomes measurable impact. She brings energy, thoughtfulness, and a people-first approach to her work, empowering teams to connect, grow, and deliver results that matter.

Susan brings over two decades of extensive experience in the international education sector and has held top senior leadership roles since SUN Education Group was established more than 15 years ago. Susan has broad and in-depth industry knowledge, having overseen diverse functions including Sales, Product, Marketing and Admissions. She has also successfully lead the teams to navigate student recruitment across multiple destinations covering the UK, EU, USA, Canada, ANZ and Asia through ever-changing market trends and government policy landscapes. In addition, Susan has firsthand experience as an international student herself as she holds a Master of Commerce degree from Macquarie University, Australia.

Susie Morris is Assistant Dean of International Programs at UCLA Extension, where she transformed projected losses into £8 million annual revenue while building 200+ global partnerships across six continents. Her expertise spans transnational education innovation, sustainable partnership development, and strategic program design that balances mission with financial sustainability. A presenter and DEI category sponsor at the 2024 PIEoneer Awards, Morris has shared her work at NAFSA and FORUM conferences, with publications in Palgrave Macmillan on international education innovation. Active across EAIE, APAIE, NAFSA, and AIEA, she brings both senior leadership perspective and operational ins

Thomson Ch'ng is an award-winning international education professional with over a decade of experience. He is currently a key member of Study NT, an agency within the Northern Territory Government of Australia. Born and raised in Penang, Malaysia, as a third-generation Chinese Malaysian, Thomson moved to Australia as an international student in 2009. He was a Founding Delegate and National President of the then Australia’s peak body for international students, and co-convenor of the inaugural ASEAN-Australia Education Dialogue (AAED). Thomson also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the UN Trade and Development's Youth Action Hubs to empower global youth for a sustainable future.

I am a global communications and marketing strategist with more than 15 years of experience in international education. I have led marketing, communications, and student recruitment in Canada and New Zealand, designing campaigns that drive enrolment, build trust, and strengthen institutional reputation. My work spans multi market nurture journeys, digital transformation, AI informed strategy, and high impact storytelling. I have delivered international development projects in Africa and Asia and spoken at global conferences on data driven recruitment and student-centred communications. I specialize in bringing clarity, structure, and human insight to complex global challenges.

Victoria M. Bamond, PhD, is an international higher-education leader with over two decades of experience advancing academic excellence and global learning. She has served as CAO/Provost, overseeing academic strategy across multiple international campuses, and has held senior leadership roles driving innovation, internationalization, and digital transformation. A published researcher and award-winning educator, she has contributed to global panels, research, and advisory boards, including Cambridge University Press and Technovation Girls. Her long-standing commitment to quality, global engagement, and academic innovation is widely recognized.

A connector and systems thinker, Wagaye brings strategic vision to the intersection of talent development, organizational transformation, and business growth. She spent 15 years at the Institute of International Education, where she led the award-winning Generation Study Abroad initiative, and in leadership roles at DA Global Access Network and World Learning championing access, inclusion and innovation in global education. Wagaye serves on the education committee for the Netherlands American Foundation and on the Advisory Council of the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies.