Board of Directors Candidate Statements

Having postponed our election in May due to COVID-19, the Board of Directors has rescheduled our annual Election General Meeting (EGM) to 23 September at 18:00 via Zoom.  We anticipate three vacancies on the board for the 2020-21 school year. According to the school’s Articles of Association, one of these vacancies is for an association member (school parent or legal guardian) who is affiliated with the U.S. government (employee or spouse). The other two vacancies are open to any school parent.  We are lucky to have several strong candidates for these positions. We have asked each candidate to provide a short bio. Please review them below and remember that, in accordance with the school’s Articles of Association and By-Laws, you must be present at the meeting on 23 September in order to vote. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!
 
Candidates for U.S. Government-Affiliated Vacancy (one vacancy, two candidates listed alphabetically by surname):
 

• David Burrows: I am honored to be considered for membership on the AISL Board of Directors. My two children – now 7th and 9th graders – joined the Early Learning Center soon after we arrived in Zambia in 2009. This long-term view provides a historical perspective on how AISL has met, and sometimes fallen short, of our vision of helping every student thrive. As a board member, I will be committed to recruiting and retaining quality teachers, strengthening student support services for a consistent learning experience, and improving transparency around school decision-making. I was proud to serve on the Reopening Task Force. Our team listened and incorporated parent concerns and ensured a safe and accessible return to school. And I believe my nearly two decades of experience in managing USG-funded development projects will serve me well on the AISL board. I currently work at Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, managing a project portfolio funded by USAID, CDC, and DOD.  My wife, Emily, is employed by USAID as a Senior Nutrition Advisor. Thank you for your consideration.

 

• Chad Moore:  I am a married father of two daughters – 11th and 10th graders at AISL.  While only recently arriving in Zambia, my entire family is committed to becoming involved in the community throughout the next three to four years of our tour here.  I currently serve as the U.S. Embassy’s Human Resources Officer and have had previous tours with the U.S. Department of State as a Consular Officer and also a General Services Officer (managing Embassy operations).  Prior to joining the State Department in 2015, I worked in Sales, Sales Management, Business Strategy, and Product Management in the U.S. Healthcare Information Technology sector for 14 years.  I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. I am eager to engage with the AISL community and would very much enjoy putting my business acumen and people management experience to use serving on the AISL board. 

 
Candidates from the Parent Association At-Large (two vacancies, four candidates listed alphabetically by surname):
 

• Simon Cole: I am a 56-year-old British expat who has spent the last 16 years working in over 20 countries, primarily in Africa. In my 33-year career I have split my experience between private and public sector, remaining in the health sector. I have launched a private healthcare brand in South Africa and had my own brand management and consultancy business in the UK, which I ran with my wife Fiona. For the last 4 overseas posts I have travelled with my family; Fiona and Sophie (currently in grade 9), we have lived in Mozambique, Guyana, Mauritius and now Zambia, each time we integrated ourselves in the local community, and more importantly the international school there. My family and I are looking to stay in Zambia to at least 2024, and I believe I can add value to the school through practical experience and good business knowledge.

 

• Aki Georgiou (incumbent): I am a Permanent Resident of Zambia. I have spent my working life in the digital printing and advertising industry. I was the co-founder and owner of Grandad Digital Printing and am currently the CEO and owner of  Six Light Media . I have served on the AISL Building Committee since 2015 and I have been a Board member since May 2018. I have two children,  Anthony and Christina. Anthony is currently in Grade 5 at AISL and Christina is in Grade 1. I believe it’s important that Board Members have a long term role on the board for the sake of continuity during these uncertain times. As a parent whose children will most likely complete their primary and secondary education at AISL, I look forward to assisting the board if re-elected and playing a positive role in ensuring that Every Student Thrives at AISL. 

• George Kanja: I am a lawyer by profession and hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Zambia; a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Queen Mary College, University of London, specializing in Commercial and Corporate Law; a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from the School of Law, University of Turin, Italy; and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights from Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights, University of Lund. I was admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court for Zambia in December 1995. I am also a Co-founder of the University of Lusaka (UNILUS). I am a Board Member of UNILUS; a Board Member of ZESCO Limited, and Vice-Chairperson of the Patents and Companies Registry Agency (PACRA) Board. I am a law lecturer at UNILUS and practice law as a Partner at the firm of George & Bwalya Advocates. I have authored two law books namely, Intellectual Property Law published by the School of Law, University of Zambia in 2006, and Understanding Banking Law in Zambia published by Juta, South Africa.

 

• Rob Munro (incumbent): I have been an elected member of the AISL Board of Directors for over two years, and currently serve as the Board Secretary and a member of three of the Board Committees.  A British citizen, I have lived and worked in Zambia for the last 28 years, initially in management positions in the commercial farming sector and then in the field of agricultural market development.  I recently changed paths and now work in the world of conservation as the Zambia Country Director of The Nature Conservancy, combining my career with my passion for Zambia’s wildlife and wild places. I am the father of Adam in Grade 8 and Sophie in Grade 6 and both children have thrived at the school since they were six, developing into the independent, confident young people that AISL is so good at nurturing. I look forward to continuing my service on the Board of Directors, providing the continuity that is so critical to the governance of the school as it faces and surmounts the challenges of 2020 and beyond.