Leadership transitions in international schools rarely end with the appointment itself. The more interesting story often begins afterwards, as new leaders take time to understand their communities, build trust and begin shaping the future direction of the school.
Recently, Pauline O’Brien, Director of Global Recruitment Strategy & Leadership at International Schools Services, caught up with Dr Liz Gale, Head of School at the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi), and Maria Chung, Board Chair, to reflect on Liz’s first semester of Headship at UNIS Hanoi and the school’s evolving strategic direction.
Liz was appointed following an international search supported by ISS. Now approaching the second half of her first year in Hanoi, the focus has shifted from transition to deeper engagement with the community and the development of a new strategic framework for the school.
For Liz, the past months have been defined by listening.
“The first half of the school year has really been about developing a deep understanding of the community,” she explained. “We’ve spent time engaging with many groups across the school, asking what people value most about UNIS Hanoi and how we continue to build on those strengths.”
Those conversations have included listening tours and focus groups with faculty, support staff, parents, students and board members. Together with insights from the school’s recent self-study and the community’s work to further define the mission, the perspectives gathered through these listening sessions are now helping to inform the development of the school’s next strategic plan.
Liz plans to consolidate the themes emerging from these data points over the coming months and present draft strategic directions to the leadership team and board later in the spring, with the aim of launching the new plan at the start of the next academic year.
For Liz, one of the defining characteristics of UNIS Hanoi is the alignment between academic ambition and a strong sense of global responsibility.
“Families here certainly value academic excellence, but they are equally committed to raising young people who will use their education to make a positive and sustainable impact on the world,” she said. “At UNIS Hanoi, learning is inseparable from purpose. Our connection to service, global citizenship, and the Sustainable Development Goals is not an add-on; it is central to who we are as a community.”
From a governance perspective, Maria Chung believes Liz’s approach during her first year has been an important foundation for the work ahead.
“She has taken the time to really understand the community before setting direction,” Maria said. “That listening phase has helped build trust and has given the board confidence that the strategy emerging will genuinely reflect the school.”
The conversation also touched on the evolving role of boards in international schools With governance responsibilities becoming increasingly complex, clarity of roles, expectations and collaboration between boards and Heads of School has never been more important.
These themes will also feature in the upcoming Governance as Leadership Training Institute (GALTI), which brings together heads of school and board leaders to explore governance, leadership and collaboration across the international school sector. This year’s conference will introduce a more interactive, conference-style format, featuring a series of focused workshops and facilitated sessions designed to encourage practical discussion, case-based learning, and the sharing of experiences among participating schools. Through this structure, participants will have multiple opportunities to engage deeply with key governance challenges while learning directly from the perspectives and expertise of peers across the international school community.
For Pauline, gatherings such as GALTI reflect an important shift in the international education landscape.
“The relationship between boards and Heads of School is becoming more complex,” she
noted. “Creating space for honest conversations about governance, leadership and alignment helps schools navigate those challenges more effectively.”
Maria agrees that these conversations are increasingly valuable.
“We all learn from one another,” she said. “Leadership and governance continue to evolve, in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world and opportunities to share experiences with other schools are incredibly helpful.”
During the discussion, Maria also reflected on the Head of School search that brought Liz to Hanoi and the role ISS played in supporting the process.
“ISS supported the search thoughtfully and professionally,” she said. “I’ve been happy to speak about that experience and continue recommending their work when schools ask about search partners.”
For Pauline, reconnecting with schools and leaders after a placement is always an important moment.
“Leadership searches do not end with the appointment,” she reflected. “The real work begins once a leader and community start shaping the future together.”
As UNIS Hanoi prepares to launch its next strategic plan and continues strengthening the collaboration between leadership and governance, the school remains firmly focused on its mission: preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the world.
And, as Liz noted during the conversation, this period of leadership has also coincided with a joyful personal milestone: the recent arrival of a new addition to her family. Reflecting on the experience, she shared how meaningful the support of the UNIS Hanoi community, particularly the Board, has been during this time. “Stepping into a new headship while welcoming a new baby is certainly a unique season of life,” she said with a smile, “but I have felt extraordinarily supported by the Board and the entire UNIS Hanoi community. Their encouragement and understanding have meant a great deal to my family and to me, and it speaks volumes about the kind of community this school truly is.”
You can also read Liz Gale’s original ISS Leadership Spotlight from June 2024, reflections from when she accepted her position at UNIS Hanoi.
