Every principal has met this student. Top of the class. Board results framed in the school foyer. A confident speech at the farewell assembly. And then, a year or two later, a telephone call from a worried parent. The first real setback at university has become a crisis. The first decision taken without a teacher or parent in the room has become paralysis. Nobody failed that child in the way our report cards measure failure. And yet something was missed. That student was on m

Humankind is a race that was given the gift of gab, but much of our tribe seems remarkably inept at using it. We mistake speaking for communication, filling silences for conversation, and having something to say for knowing how to say it. We have never had more ways to talk to one another, and yet, somehow, we seem to be getting worse at actually talking. Conversation is an art. And like any art, it requires more than simply showing up with a voice. To communicate is to make

Dr. Nicole Bien joined the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2016, bringing nearly two decades of experience in equitable and inclusive education. She has held senior leadership roles including Global Director of Learning and Teaching and Chief Schools Officer. She currently serves as Chief Community Partnership & Development Officer, advancing global partnerships and transformative educational initiatives.

Victoria Pugh is Director of Education and Professional Learning at the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), having previously served as Assistant Director of Accreditation. A former Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester, she specialises in PSHE, RSE, diversity and inclusion. Victoria leads teacher development and professional learning programmes, championing inclusive education and strong professional cultures.

Darlene Fisher, EdD, has over 40 years of experience in education. She is a Senior International Accreditation Leader with NEASC and a Lead Educator and workshop designer with the IB. She also represents NEASC in developing the Collaborative Learning Protocol and is designing a coaching based leadership programme for NEASC Lead Visitors.

Capt. Rohit Sen Bajaj, Head of Pathways School Gurgaon, is an internationally recognised educational leader with extensive experience in IB education, school leadership and curricular transformation. A former Indian Army officer, he has served as IB Recognition Ambassador, IBEN Evaluation Leader, and President of the Association for Heads of IB World Schools India. He has also contributed to CIS and NEASC accreditation and AIU initiatives.

Misbah has been a PYP educator for the past 5 years. He is the co-founder of Toddle as well as Toddler's Den, a network of Reggio Inspired preschools. An engineer at heart and passionate about education, he leads school success and sales at Toddle. Prior to co-founding Toddle and Toddler's Den, Misbah led innovation for South Asia in Unilever.

Kam Chohan is Executive Director of ECIS, having joined the organisation in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. With a background in education and leadership, she is committed to social justice, diversity, inclusion and intercultural understanding. A former mathematics and business lecturer, Kam has championed innovation and inclusive leadership, earning the 1885 NEASC Award and the Kam Chohan Global Inclusion Award.

Conor Burns is an international education consultant at Renaissance, working with schools and education communities across India and South Asia. His work focuses on assessment, teaching and student development, combining international perspectives with regional insights. He supports educators in making evidence-informed decisions and developing practical approaches to evolving learning needs.

Nikhil Taneja is an award-winning writer, producer, podcaster, entrepreneur and youth mental health advocate. He co-founded Yuvaa, serves on Girl Rising’s board, and has advised the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers initiative. His honors include the 2024 Kamla Bhasin and Laadli Foundation Media Awards.