Cognia Leadership

Abdulrahman R. Alghofaili is an accomplished educational executive with extensive experience leading and transforming educational institutions across Saudi Arabia and internationally. He has advanced through a broad spectrum of academic and executive leadership roles, playing a pivotal role in the design and implementation of high-impact educational models that drive learning excellence, strengthen leadership capacity, and deliver measurable gains in student achievement aligned with global best practices. Throughout his career, he has led schools to attain multiple local and international distinctions in recognition of institutional performance, innovation, and excellence in learning environments. He is widely regarded for a strategic, people-centered leadership approach that builds high-performing teams, cultivates a culture of excellence and accountability, and delivers sustainable, long-term institutional growth. He currently leads Riyadh Schools, affiliated with Misk Foundation, where he spearheads strategic development and organizational advancement. His leadership reinforces alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 while ensuring the delivery of a world-class educational experience that prepares future-ready, globally competitive learners equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Mrs. Mervat Bassiouni is a seasoned educational leader with more than four decades of experience in international and bilingual education. She holds a degree in English from Ain Shams University and completed her schooling at Ramses College for Girls, grounding her leadership in strong academic and cultural foundations. Currently serving as Superintendent of the Egyptian Schools and System Leader of the Egyptian Educational Development Projects, she oversees three academic programs across four branches, driving strategic coherence, instructional quality, and sustainable growth. Mrs. Bassiouni is widely recognized for her commitment to leadership excellence, capacity building, and long-term institutional development.

Dr. Yasemin Bayraktar is a medical doctor, researcher, and international education leader whose work bridges medicine, child development, and education. Her medical research has focused particularly on birth and child development, examining the factors that influence children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Alongside her medical career, Dr. Bayraktar is the founder and owner of medical centers, K–12 schools, and higher-education institutions across Türkiye, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Her international experience has shaped her commitment to creating educational environments that combine academic excellence with character, values, identity, and global awareness. Dr. Bayraktar also serves on international committees and advisory bodies, contributing her perspective to discussions on educational quality, accreditation, innovation, and the future of learning. Bringing together her experience as a physician, researcher, and education leader, Dr. Bayraktar is passionate about supporting the development of future generations. Her work is guided by the belief that education should nurture the whole child, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially, while preparing young people to become confident, responsible, and compassionate global citizens.

Mr. Fouad founded and launched Metropolitan School in New Cairo with the vision of providing an exceptional international education while preserving the Egyptian values he deeply cherishes. Recognizing the importance of preparing students for the global market, he introduced a specialized entrepreneurship program to equip graduates with essential skills for future success. As Chairman, Mr. Fouad brings extensive experience in education. He is the owner of the long-established St. Fatima Schools in Cairo, known for over a decade of delivering high-quality, affordable education. Additionally, he serves as the CEO of the Higher Futures Institute and is a Board Member of a charitable senior housing project, reflecting his commitment to both education and social responsibility. Mr. Fouad holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Nantes, France, and is a graduate of the French University of Egypt. As a passionate educator and entrepreneur, he is dedicated to positioning Metropolitan School as the leading U.S. curriculum school in Egypt.

Mr. Adolfo J. Gonzalez has served as Director of Lincoln International Academy in Nicaragua since 2008. He has guided the school through four successful accreditation cycles and has also served with Cognia as an accreditation reviewer throughout Latin America and in Saudi Arabia. He holds a Master of Education from Framingham State University and a second master’s degree in Educational Administration from Tecnológico de Monterrey. His professional development includes programs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, including the Leadership: An Evolving Vision (LEV) program and the Certificate in School Management and Leadership; artificial intelligence programs at the University of Pennsylvania; Instructional Leader Certification from ISTE; and a fellowship at the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. In 2026, he was appointed President of the AASCA Board and became a member of the Tri-Association Board. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Innovation.

Emily Hu is an education leader with more than 40 years of experience across public and international education, specializing in teaching, accreditation, school leadership, and China–U.S. educational collaboration. Beginning her career as an English teacher, she went on to found and lead both a public school and a U.S.-standard international experimental school, building deep expertise in curriculum, instruction, school management, and student development. Emily has served in key national education initiatives, including a Ministry of Education-related research project on teacher standards and professional training, and was selected by the U.S. Department of State as a representative of China's education sector for its International Visitor program. She has produced award-winning educational media, authored publications on college pathways, and frequently speaks at international education forums. As founder and Co-Chair of the China–U.S. Education Innovation Alliance, she leads initiatives that foster collaboration among educators, institutions, and policymakers. Today, she continues to advance global partnerships focused on innovation, teacher development, and student success.

Lachlan MacKinnon is Director General of Emirates National Schools in the UAE, leading six campuses and serving 15,000 learners under the guidance of the Presidential Court. His ambition is to make ENS the first Emirati school system rated Outstanding, preparing future leaders who embrace innovation, honor their heritage, and contribute confidently to the nation’s future. With more than 30 years of experience across Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, Lachlan has served as a CEO and Principal and led schools offering IB, American, British, UAE, and African curricula. He is also an experienced school evaluator and inspector, working with international accreditation and inspection bodies, including PENTA International, Cognia, WASC, ETIO, and Education Trust. Lachlan is inspired by the courage, kindness, and potential he sees in learners, families, and colleagues. He believes leadership is about walking alongside people, creating a strong sense of belonging, and enabling each person to flourish and achieve more than they imagined possible.

Professor Hu Min is a leading Chinese educator and entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience advancing language education, international learning, and global competence. Founder and Chairman of New Channel International Education Group, he has helped build one of China's largest international education organizations, with more than 70 schools, over 300 learning centers, and hundreds of published educational resources. Recognized as a pioneer in IELTS, TOEFL, and postgraduate English training in China, Professor Hu has played a significant role in expanding access to international education opportunities. He serves in numerous academic and advisory roles, including appointments with leading educational institutions in mainland China, Hong Kong SAR of China, and Japan. His contributions have earned him honors from both the British Council and ETS for their impact on English-language education. An accomplished scholar and author, Professor Hu continues to promote global competence, cross-cultural understanding, and educational innovation through research, publications, and large-scale youth engagement initiatives.

Dr. Joseph Nagy is a distinguished K-12 educational leader with more than 40 years of experience in international and U.S. education. He is best known for his 23-year tenure as Director of Colegio Bolívar in Cali, Colombia, where he led strategic growth, strengthened governance partnerships, and maintained a legacy of academic excellence in a multicultural setting. Appointed to his first school director role at age 29, Dr. Nagy has spent decades advancing international education throughout Latin America and is widely respected for his deep regional expertise and commitment to student-centered learning. His leadership has guided schools through successful accreditation processes, long-term strategic planning, and significant institutional development. By 2026, he will have overseen the graduation of more than half of Colegio Bolívar's alumni, reflecting the enduring impact of his leadership. In 2024, he received the Paul G. Orr Award for exceptional contributions to education. Following his retirement in June 2026, Dr. Nagy continues to reside in Cali, Colombia.

Gustavo Sever is an experienced international education leader with more than two decades of leadership experience across Venezuela, Bolivia, Curaçao, and the United States. Since 2021, he has served as Superintendent of Colegio Internacional de Caracas (CIC), leading the school through successful strategic initiatives, including Cognia reaccreditation with merit in 2026. Previously, he served as General Director of the American International School of Bolivia and held multiple leadership roles at the International School of Curaçao, including High School Principal, Human Resources Manager, and Guidance and College Counselor. Gustavo's expertise spans educational leadership, AP and IB program implementation, teacher supervision and evaluation, professional learning, coaching, neurodiversity, inclusion, school governance, and human resources. He serves on the Cognia International Advisory Council and has participated in engagement reviews across Latin America since 2017. Passionate about collaboration and continuous improvement, Gustavo is committed to advancing excellence in teaching, learning, and student success.

Seyduddin is an international education entrepreneur and visionary leader with over a decade of experience in online K–12 education. He has a deep understanding of online schooling and has contributed to developing policies, systems, and operational frameworks for online schools. His work has supported more than 25,000 students across over 100 countries. He is committed to expanding access to affordable, flexible, and high-quality schooling worldwide.

Tri Tran is the Director of APU Educational Development Group, where he has spent more than two decades helping build and operate an international K12 school system in Vietnam. His work has included school operations, curriculum development, accreditation, teacher leadership, parent engagement, institutional strategy, and the development of educational pathways connecting K–12 students with higher education opportunities in the United States and internationally. Through his work at APU, Tri has focused particularly on how the American education curriculum can be adapted to regional contexts outside the US, while maintaining strong academic standards, supporting teachers, and strengthening the partnership between schools and families for the child. Before entering education, Tri spent approximately a decade working in U.S. capital markets, an experience that continues to inform his approach to institutional development, governance, finance, and long-term strategy. Alongside his work at APU, Tri is the founder of JurneeGo, an education technology initiative exploring how artificial intelligence can support student inquiry and thinking while keeping parents and teachers meaningfully involved in the learning process.