Governing Board Elections 2024

Biographical Data

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and naturalized as Swiss in 1992, Vanessa Mattar Boley grew up in Jamaica, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. She holds a master's degree in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and has been working in different positions for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for over two decades. She has served in Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Kenya, and continues her humanitarian commitment at Headquarters in Geneva.

Her son is a student at LGB.

Vanessa's expertise lies in international protection, program oversight and integrity, and crisis management. She sits on the board responsible for ensuring the integrity of the appointment and recruitment process in UNHCR and has successfully completed IMD's Mastering Board Governance Program.

What does Ecolint mean to you?

A school that squarely suits our family's educational philosophy and successfully provides individual care, guidance and counselling to my child.

What skills/expertise can you bring to the School?

Governance, leadership, strategic planning, international experience, management, risk management, crisis management, communication and political astuteness.

Understanding that the Governing Board focuses on long-range and strategic issues, and not specific management, personnel, or curricular issues, how would you support the Ecolint Mission if you were elected to the Governing Board?

I would support the Ecolint Mission by bringing a diverse range of expertise and skills, focus and dedication to the Governing Board.
 

The Ecolint Governing Board is the key governance body of the International School. What is your understanding of the tasks you are called upon to perform in this context? And, what particular skills and experience would you draw on to fulfil this role?

In my understanding, I will be called upon to have productive discussions, share input, and contribute to the Board's decision making on the Foundation's strategic direction, organisational structure, nomination and evaluation of the Director General, financial management and long-term success, policy formulation and implementation, protection and promotion of reputation and the effectiveness and continuity of the Governing Board.

I have a background in policy-making and oversight at United Nations and governance skills in performance evaluation, stakeholder management, compliance knowledge and crisis management.   My experience in policy formulation, evaluation, inspection, risk management, strategic planning, change management, negotiation and data protection will help me to contribute to the larger Board picture.
 

Fair and equitable access to an education of excellence such as that of the International School of Geneva is at the heart of the objectives on which the Governing Board must focus. What might your thoughts be on this matter at this time? Do you have any particular expertise that you could draw upon in such societal matters?

I believe collaborative efforts and fundraising activities should be expanded and enhanced with the aim of providing more scholarship opportunities and needs-based financial support to students. A more robust scholarship and financial support programme would create a positive social impact, support equitable outcomes and contribute to raising the school's socio-economic diversity. I have extensive experience in advocating for marginalized groups excluded from mainstream economic life and education. I understand how access to an education such as that of the international school of Geneva would dramatically influence a child's chances at life success.
 

Ecolint aims to ensure a framework that serves to provide a distinctive high quality international education through which all students are helped to develop their abilities to the highest level of the potential. In your opinion, what are the different elements that are critical to this framework (buildings, interior and exterior spaces; technical supports and equipment; management team, teachers, and administrative staff; or others...)?

In my opinion, elements critical to an informed, child-centered and inclusive framework include:

• Continuous high quality professional development and support for qualified and motivated teachers to ensure educators remain up to date with the latest pedagogical innovation and the knowledge and attitudes needed to create inclusive learning environment. 
• Access to state-of-the-art resources and inclusive learning spaces, essential to enriching the learning environment and providing all students with the tools needed for a high-quality education.
• Access to a wide range of activities and extracurricular programs to cater to varied interests of students.
• Access to individualized learning support and extended support programs, essential for addressing the diverse needs of students.
• Presence of a robust collaborative para-pedagogical team to enhance the overall support system, fostering collaboration and ensuring students and teachers receive the necessary support and guidance.
• Support by all staff and teams and parents, underpinned by inclusive policies to ensure the success of all students.  
   

Ecolint embraces diversity and honours the unique voice and personal experience of all members of the community. What do you think of this statement in terms of your experience as a member of the community? In your opinion what should be the role of the Governing Board in strengthening inclusion of diversity in the Foundation?

In my experience as a parent, Ecolint demonstrates a warm attentiveness and responsiveness to the needs and perspectives of a diverse parent and student body. The school in my view is committed to fostering a strong, collaborative, and understanding community.

The Board my opinion has a critical role in strengthening the inclusion of diversity in the Foundation. In addition to a continued commitment to the (I-DEA) Initiative, the Governing Board should ensure policies and practices prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within the school system monitor progress. This should include the identification and recruitment of diverse staff that reflects the student population and structured community engagement.

The Board should also adopt an effective approach to supporting diversity in its own practices. The Governing Board should reflect the diversity of the school's community in its composition, foster an inclusive culture within the boardroom itself, and integrate inclusive thinking and behaviors into all aspects of work.
 

Are you aware of the financial information related to the Foundation? While efforts have been made, what else can be done in your opinion, to make the Foundation more sustainable in the long term continuing to ensure affordable fee structures while providing qualitative inclusive education in an effort to make global citizens and optimum capital development efforts?

I have read the annual reports. In my opinion, in addition to ensuring continuous efforts are made to strengthen strategic long-term planning and governance, the Foundation could become more financially sustainable through the increase of fundraising revenue and the diversification of income streams.

By leveraging the experience and skills of its members, the Governing Board can contribute to the Foundation's long-term sustainability. The Foundation's fundraising capabilities and success would be greatly enhanced by the election of a candidate with robust technical skills and extensive experience in fundraising to the Governing Board. A fundraising specialist could effectively provide substantive support, advise and oversee the work of the Director General in this regard, as well as support the Director of Development and Alumni.

The Foundation could leverage the new state-of-the-art Centre sportif by establishing partnerships with local sports teams. Securing long-term contracts for practices, games, or events can provide a stable source of revenue.
 

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