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Director Search

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Elsa Hernández-Donohue as the next Director of Zurich International School, effective July 1, 2024.

The Board's decision to select Elsa was taken after a diligent and thoughtful process over several months with consideration of all involved stakeholders.

Lisa Lyle will continue to lead ZIS until the end of the next school year. During this period, she and her team will work closely with Elsa to ensure a seamless transition of leadership.

 

Elsa Donohue

Elsa will join us from Vientiane International School (VIS), an IB World School, where she has served as Head of School since 2018. Prior to her arrival at VIS, Elsa spent seven years at the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS), first as the Elementary School Principal then as Head of two campuses. Elsa started her career as a teacher in her native Venezuela and, as some might remember, she taught at ZIS Lower School from 2004 to 2006.

Our next Director is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor in Elementary Education. She received her two Masters Degrees in Curriculum and Teaching as well as Educational Leadership from Michigan State University.

Elsa brings over 30 years of experience of working with students, faculty, and parents in a range of distinct school settings. Her values and vision for education align with our mission – Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead. She is an educator at heart and passionate about curriculum. Elsa matches rigorous, disciplined analysis with an open mind for innovation and development. She is an exceptional listener and thoughtful collaborator who works well with all constituents.

In accepting her appointment, Elsa said, "What an honor it is for me to know that I will be in your midst starting in July 2024! Terry and I very much enjoyed our visit to ZIS last week. Although the time was short and focused, the sincere commitment to learning was palpable. It is clear that at ZIS, students matter; parents, educator-leaders, staff, alumni, and trustees care; and everyone gives their best in pursuit of learning.

I look forward to getting to know the community at a deeper level and working in partnership with Lisa Lyle, the Strategic Leadership Team, and the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth transition. For now, as I anticipate joining you, I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you to Learn, Care, Challenge, and Lead as ZIS continues to prepare learners for the future."

This appointment concludes a worldwide search begun by the Search Committee in August 2022, with the assistance of our consultant, RG 175. The whole community was involved and supported this important endeavor. The Search Committee consisted of trustees, faculty, administrators, and parents. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we would like to thank all involved, especially the members of the Search Committee for their invaluable contributions that allowed the Board to successfully fulfill one of its most important tasks, the selection of the school's next director.

We welcome Elsa and her husband, Terry, to the ZIS community.

Communication Archive

Board Chair Carl Hollitscher announces the members of the Director Search Committee in this letter sent by email to parents.

Parents are invited to share perspectives on the ZIS Experience and the ideal profile of our next Director at meetings with the search consultants on September 14 and 15.

Position Statement

The position statement is available below:

Position Statement

Search Committee

The Search Committee will include the following members of the ZIS community:

  • Essa Al-Saleh - Member of the Board of Trustees, Co-chair of the Search Committee 
  • Alexandra Utterman - Member of the Board or Trustees, Co-chair of the Search Committee
  • Mariana Grigorian - Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Carl Hollitscher - Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
  • Catherine Jolly - Lower School Principal
  • Maaike Lange - ZIS Parent
  • Joel Lobland  - Upper School math teacher and Head of the Math Department 
  • Jennifer Model - Middle School World Languages Teacher and Head of the World Languages Department
  • Chicco di Stasi - Member of the Board of Trustees