Apply now to be a mentor or mentee for our 2023-2024 Cohort.
2023-2024 AIELOC Aspiring Leader Mentor application
2023-2024 AIELOC Aspiring Leader Mentee application






The Aspiring Leaders of Color Program will launch in March 2021 and provide:
• Coaching – Individual coaching on a regular basis from your mentor
• Collaboration – Collaborative learning sessions
• Connections – Network of mentors and mentees
Aspiring Leaders of Color Program Coordinator

Born in Jamaica and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Nadine Richards draws her strength and creativity from her roots and culture. She is a solution-focused leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong communication skills. Nadine has served in the public and international educational systems for over 20 years.
Nadine’s trajectory to education differed from most. It grew out of her desire to make the world a better place and improve learning opportunities for children. This passion fueled a shift in career from criminal justice to education, where Nadine continues to advocate and influence educational policy for the advancement of all learners. Nadine has served as an advocate for special needs children, teacher, dean of students, associate principal, principal, Head of School and CEO. Currently, Nadine serves on the Board of Red Door Early Learning Centers; Co-Chairs the Advocacy Committee for an international diversity collaborative consortium; on the DEI Advisory Board of AIELOC, and is the founder and principal consultant of Nadine INSPIRES LLC . Nadine is a life-long learner with excellent integrity and work ethics.
Her infectious smile personifies her passion – to serve, lift and empower! Nadine is working towards her Doctor of Education degree in Education and Policy Leadership. She achieved her Bachelor of Science and Master of Art degrees with high honors from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, where she was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Nadine has a Post-Graduate certificate in Education Administration and Leadership from SUNY-Stony Brook University. She holds permanent School District Leadership licenses in New York and Georgia. Nadine has a proven record of increasing graduation rates, strategic planning, and closing achievement gaps. Additionally she was the recipient of the STEM Summit Diversity Award, which recognized her initiatives to increase
disenfranchised students’ participation in STEM programs.
Essentially, it takes an interculturally focused and courageous leader to activate pedagogy that nurtures growth in all learners. Nadine is known for her commitment to sustaining a spirited learning environment that nourishes the head, heart and soul of the community. Her leadership style priorities students first and ensures that every child has an opportunity to thrive in the school community. It takes more than great ideas to spark change– Nadine is an exceptional leader who sets a powerful course for the future of the institution and the people she serves. She is the dream catcher — creating hope and designing a future filled with a lifetime of possibilities. The results: happy, thoughtful and engaged young global citizens.
Meet our Mentees:

Renee Foster

Eileen Law

Toni Jones

Umer Sohail

Lachanda Garrison

Elizabeth Palathra

Derek Brown

Rama Ndiaye

Nitasha Crishna

Serenity Smith

Candice Rountree
Meet our Mentors:

Dr. Liam Hammer

Anita Churchville

Tico Oms

Dr. Erin Robinson

Dr. Yerko Sepúlveda

Lianne Dominguez

Margaret Park

Adja Sakho

Dr. Emmanuel Vincent

Adrienne Waller

Dr. Felicia Jackson

Jessica believes that facilitating cross-cultural and diverse conversations around personal identity and culture is a powerful way to build community and understanding in educational settings. Jessica has co-facilitated professional development for school districts and non-profits in creating and sustaining a culture of equity and anti-racism and is also a certified coach for ACSA (Association of CA School Administrators). She is currently living and teaching in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where the maternal side of her family is from. Starting in Fall 2021, Jessica will start as the Vice-Principal of Wellbeing and Wellness at the United World College, South East Asia in Singapore.

Rod was married in 1997 in Sendai, Japan and after two years in Nashville, he and his wife (Yuko) eventually moved to the Bay Area (The Branson School) and then relocated to San Diego where spent 11 years as the Upper School Director at La Jolla Country Day School. In 2013, Rod was appointed founding Head of School at UWC ISAK Japan. He is currently in his 8th year and will conclude his tenure in 2024.
Rod and Yuko have a daughter – Lena – who is 15 years old. Rod enjoys golf, wine, reading, traveling and good restaurants.



Dr. Taylor joined Aga Khan Educational Services in July 2019 where she is currently the Head of The Aga Khan School, Dhaka. Prior to joining Aga Khan Educational Services, she was the Head of School of SEV American College in Istanbul. She moved to Doha, Qatar in 2011 to become the Founding Principal of ACS Doha. She worked for ACS for six years, leading several program initiatives and developments. Dr. Taylor has worked as a lecturer and education program developer for United Arab Emirates University in the United Arab Emirates University, and Providence University in the United States. Dr. Taylor has taught students several different subjects, including English, French, Humanities, psychology, and Theory of Knowledge in several global contexts, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, The United Arab Emirates, Japan, Thailand, Germany, and Qatar. Dr. Taylor has presented papers at the International Baccalaureate Global Conference, The Alliance for International Education, and The World-Wide Forum on Education and Culture. Dr. Taylor worked as a social worker and in social science research for seven years prior to working in the field of education.
Dr. Taylor is an avid reader and bibliophile. She is an ardent supporter of the arts and seeks out spectacular locations to cross country ski.
” Powerful avalanches begin with small shifts ” – Pamela McFarland Walsh, is the quote that most exemplifies her leadership style. Continually building strong learning communities and capacity in others is Dale’s aim, which will ultimately help build exceptional learning experiences for students.

Dr. Nigel began his career as a High School English teacher in the UK before heading overseas to Bahrain, to the Philippines and then to São Paulo where he took up a curriculum director position at St. Paul’s School.
Three years later, adventure called and he was appointed as founding Head of Khartoum International Community School, the first IB World School in Sudan. It was a country that was to be home for Dr. Nigel and his family for the next twelve years. His educational background draws on both UK and US systems. He holds a BA (Hons) in English & European Literature from Essex University in the UK, and an MA in Educational Administration from Michigan State University in the US. In addition, he holds a doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California. Dr. Nigel is honored to be the Head of Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro.
