The NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group is a group of practitioners from NAIS member schools who serve as advisers to NAIS on global education and international student programs at independent schools, as well as topics relevant to international schools in the U.S. and in other countries.
As a cohort during the 2026-2027 school year, the NAIS global ambassadors will engage independent school educators in discussions on global and experiential education, international students, and international school topics; share their stories and knowledge with our community; and create resources relevant to NAIS boarding and day schools, at various grade levels.
NAIS Global Ambassadors
The following experts are participating in the 2026-2027 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group:
- Ariane Baer-Harper, head of school, Austin International School (TX)
- Nichole Foster-Hinds, head of upper school, The Nightingale-Bamford School (NY)
- Laura Hille, international admission director, Menaul School (NM)
- Hilary McDonough, director of global and civic engagement, The Nightingale-Bamford School (NY)
- Kendra Sisserson, director of global studies, The Pennington School (NJ)
- Tom Woelper, head of school, Cheshire Academy (CT)
Click here to read the biographies for the 2026-2027 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group. To view a list of NAIS Global Ambassadors from previous years, click here.
Objectives
The objective of this working group is to:
- develop a thought-piece or advisory on a topic related to global education and experiential learning programs, international student programs, or international schools;
- present a webinar with other NAIS global ambassadors;
- serve in an advisory role to NAIS on trends, challenges, and opportunities in global education and experiential learning, international student programs, and international schools; and
- engage the NAIS Connect Global community in discussions and share any relevant resources.
Focus of Work
This year’s cohort will have the opportunity to:
- stay up to date on trends affecting global education, international student programs, and international schools;
- demonstrate how bilingual education, global education, experiential learning, and international student programs contribute to the value proposition of schools; and
- connect with other practitioners in similar roles.
Selection Criteria
Members of the NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group have knowledge and experience with:
- driving and creating change in schools;
- supporting international students in an independent day or boarding school setting;
- starting and expanding global education and experiential learning or international student programs;
- opening a branch or satellite campus abroad;
- working at international schools in the U.S. or abroad; and/or
- providing thought-leadership on topics related to the work of this year’s cohort.
Benefits of Participation
The NAIS global ambassadors will have the opportunity to:
- engage, network, and collaborate with peers in NAIS member schools in the U.S. and in other countries;
- be viewed as experts in their field;
- serve in an advisory role to NAIS;
- initiate discussions as well as engage the NAIS community on relevant topics;
- join a growing network of like-minded professionals that served as NAIS global ambassadors in previous years;
- have written thought-pieces published and promoted by NAIS; and
- be recognized by NAIS through a variety of channels including the website, newsletters, magazines and blogs, online webinars and meetups, and the NAIS Annual Report.
Resources
To browse resources developed by past and present NAIS Global Ambassadors and other resources on global education and international student programs, click here.
Questions? Contact Ioana Suciu Wheeler, NAIS senior director of global initiatives, at wheeler@nais.org.