Human Flourishing — ECIS Leadership Conference
A two-day leadership gathering exploring wellbeing, ethical leadership, and future-ready practice for international schools.
Schedule Overview
18:00–21:00
Opening,Speech by Keynote Speakers,Networking
09:00–16:30
Workshops, Lunch and Closing
10:00–15:30
Opening Ceremony, Activities, Lunch, Discussions, Closing Ceremony
Opening Ceremony Speakers
Francesco Banchini
Director of European Azerbaijan School, Chairman of CCAAIBWS
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Kam Chohan
Executive Director of ECIS
Dina Khalaf
IB’s Development and Recognition Manager
Workshops
AI Governance — Rita Bateson
On this strategic foundation day, you’ll cut through the hype and examine AI’s real implications for your school. You’ll unpack
the six critical risks AI introduces to schools—and begin assessing your own context across each one.
You will:
• Understand the six key risks AI poses to schools
• Evaluate your school’s current approach to AI literacy, data protection, and student safety
• Explore the EU AI Act and other regulation to benchmark school governance
• Assess your readiness using our protocols
Presented by Rita Bateson
Rita Bateson is a respected educator, author and mentor with over 20 years of experience in international education. She currently serves as the Director of Education and co-founder of Eblana Learning, where she guides schools in navigating AI adoption and technological change.
Her career spans roles as a Senior Curriculum and Assessment Manager at the IB Global Headquarters in The Hague and was the founding Head of Secondary for Nord Anglia International School in Ireland. Her passion for IB curriculum and mathematics education is reflected in her authorship of several textbooks, widely used in international schools worldwide. Rita’s influence extends beyond curriculum development. She is a seasoned workshop leader, school authorisation team leader, and consultant, regularly commissioned by leading educational organisations to shape and enhance educational programmes. Her unique experience as a curriculum developer, textbook author and IB programme advisor makes her a sought-after expert in international education. More recently, she has focused on the role of AI in education, helping schools harness its potential ethically, with confidence and clarity.
Facilitative Leadership — Nancy Squicciarini
Effective leadership hinges on the ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue, navigate team dynamics, and move ideas into action. This interactive session invites senior leaders to explore a holistic approach to facilitation, engaging the heart (emotional intelligence), head (strategic thinking), and hands (practical tools) to lead with clarity and purpose. Participants will analyse group dynamics, identify typical participant profiles, and discover how to harness diverse contributions in team settings. Leaders will also take part in a facilitation design sprint, a powerful tool for reframing and resolving collaboration challenges providing a structured pathway to unlock the full potential of their teams.
Presented by Nancy-Lhoest-Squicciarini
Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini is the Head of Middle Leadership, hosts the #ISLECISLoft, and facilitates the Middle Leader Cafés. With over 35 years of experience in international education, her previous roles have included Head of Community Relations, Assistant Principal, and Director of Teaching and Learning.
As a skilled facilitator, she has spent over a decade as a trainer for the Principals’ Training Center, was a trainer for the Council of International Schools Evaluator Course and is a member of the International Association of Facilitators.
Nancy is a passionate advocate for women in education, serving as a Trustee and Global Strategic Leader for @WomenEd and co-leading @WomenEdLuxembourg. In both 2022 and 2024, ISC Research named her an #Edruptor for her influential social media presence in the international school community.
Coaching — Rebecca Tickell
Coaching is a powerful leadership approach that help leaders unlock and unleash the potential of their teams. In an educational context, coaching empowers individuals and teams to solve problems, navigate change, and build resilience. It fosters wellbeing, enhances communication skills, and supports people in gaining the confidence to tackle challenges with calm, clarity and purpose.
At an organisational level, coaching is pivotal to sustainable development. This workshop equips leaders with the beliefs, skills, and strategies to embed a coaching approach into their leadership practice, ensuring long-term impact and people excellence.
Participants will leave with the skills and confidence to lead with a coaching mindset, fostering growth and development
within their teams. They will be equipped to create a culture of trust, empowerment, and continuous improvement in their
organisations. This workshop will provide practical tools and strategies to help leaders unlock potential, inspire excellence, and drive meaningful change.
Presented by Rebecca Tickell
Rebecca is an experienced educator, with a background spanning a variety of educational roles and contexts. Having previously led a highly successful centre for school-centred initial teacher training, she is currently completing a DPhil in Education at the University of Oxford, where her research uses a multiple and mixed methods approach to explore
teacher mentoring through the lenses of competency, self-efficacy, and lived experience. As a development-focused early career researcher, she is able to combine her expertise in teacher development and school leadership with a pragmatic approach to utilising, adapting, and conducting educational research. By embedding research within a school’s unique
context, she believes that teachers and leaders will be able to harness its transformative power to drive sustainable, high-impact pedagogical practices.
Managing Conflict — Helen Morgan
Being able to manage and embrace conflict effectively is an essential part of effective leadership if teams and individuals are to maintain a shared sense of purpose and direction. As a leader, one of the greatest challenges in managing and embracing conflict is managing yourself and making sure that communication is clear and effective. During this course, participants learn to identify conflict and what their roles and responsibilities are within such a situation. They develop strategies to manage emotions, manage change and learn how to separate the personal from the professional. On a practical level, participants learn how to have difficult conversations and practise different techniques in a safe and supportive environment. By the end of the course, participants will have a practical toolkit of strategies and protocols to manage and embrace conflict
successfully in a range of contexts.
Presented by Helen Morgan
Helen Morgan is Head of Leadership Development and Learning at ECIS. In her role, she collaborates with schools, groups and organisations to design and deliver impactful training, coaching and consultancy. She has a track record of building strong relationships with some of the most innovative international schools in the world. Prior to her role at ECIS, Helen worked extensively as an independent Educational Consultant with a range of international schools and organisations. These include Cambridge International where she was a Lead Training Consultant, and High Performance Learning where she successfully set up the Fellowship of World Class Schools. Helen is also an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach with the European Coaching and Mentoring Council, empowering executive leaders to drive improvement. She has a master’s degree in education and holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
Transforming Classrooms — Elizabeth Sutherland
Dive into Ron Ritchhart’s groundbreaking work on Cultures of Thinking in Action and explore the 10 Mindsets that can transform teaching and learning. This interactive workshop will guide participants through practical strategies to foster a culture of thinking in their classrooms, empowering students to become active, engaged learners. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, attendees will gain insights into creating dynamic learning environments that promote deep understanding and sustain lifelong inquiry.
Presented by Elizabeth Sutherland
Elizabeth Sutherland received her Bachelors of Science degree from Clemson University, Masters in Education from the College of Charleston, Masters in International Relations from the University of Cape Town, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. Parallel to scholarship, Elizabeth has taught in primary and secondary schools across the globe and trained and practiced as an instructional coach. Her focus areas include economic policies, gender inequalities, digital learning and technology, and educational leadership. Currently, Elizabeth lives in Paris with her husband and two daughters, and is employed by the International School of Paris as the Learning Continuum Director.
Leadership Wellbeing — Richard Parker
Effective leadership in schools requires presence, resilience, and emotional clarity; qualities that are difficult to sustain without intentional attention to personal wellbeing. Just as we’re reminded to “put on our own oxygen mask first,” leaders must learn to care for themselves to lead others with strength and compassion. However, the demands of the role and a culture of selfsacrifice often push wellbeing to the background. In this interactive workshop, participants will reflect on how their personal wellbeing impacts their leadership and team culture. They will explore stress patterns, clarify boundaries, and identify small, sustainable wellbeing practices they can integrate into daily routines. The session will also explore how leaders can model wellbeing with authenticity and purpose, creating healthier, more sustainable environments for those they lead.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with greater self-awareness and a practical toolkit of strategies to prioritise their own wellbeing as a professional responsibility and not as an optional extra.
Presented by Richard Parker
Richard Parker is currently Head of the International School of London. He has been part of the ISL group for ten years. He was born in the UK and studied History at Cambridge University. He began his career in a legal aid firm in London, before changing paths five years later and moving into education. He has a broad experience of international schooling and has had leadership roles in Hong Kong, Portugal, Brunei and Spain over the course of a twenty-one year career. He has taught History and Theory of Knowledge around the world. He is an MYP workshop leader, running workshops introducing senior leaders to the IB MYP programme. He is a CIS Visitor and Chair and has an MA in International Education from Bath University. He is the Chair of the ECIS board of trustees. He has written a chapter on the implications of brain research for school transitions in the book Exploring Issues of Continuity: The International Baccalaureate in a Wider Context. Recently he has written two articles on Creative Leadership. In 2024 he was an Undiscovered Voices winner for a middle grade novel he has written. He is married with two children.
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