Laura Light is the Executive Director of The Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE), which she joined in September of 2021. She brings to AAIE many years of experience working alongside school heads and senior leadership, supporting the most critical task of recruiting teachers and administrative talent.

Before joining AAIE, Laura was known in the international school world for her leadership and dedication as the Director of Global Recruitment at International Schools Services (ISS). Prior to joining ISS in 2007, Laura was an international educator for many years, with posts that included time in Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Singapore, and London, as well as positions in Oregon, California, and New York. Her knowledge of international schools is deeply rooted in her upbringing as she is also a Third Culture Kid.

Laura has served on the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) Educational Board and is a member of the Diversity Collaborative. She understands the challenges faced, has an enviable network of longstanding relationships, and, already knowing so many in the international community, is a natural community builder and an assertive advocate for quality leadership in our international schools worldwide.

Laura greatly enjoys her work supporting international school leaders and values the interactions and experiences she encounters while traveling, which is her biggest joy. When not on the road, she resides in New Jersey with her partner where they enjoy the outdoors (walking, biking, hiking) or just spending time together.

Jeff Paulson has a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Policy and Administration (Ed.D.) from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA; a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology (Ed.M.) from Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (B.A.) from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. In addition, Jeff attended the Klingenstein Head of School Program for international school Heads at Columbia University and is an Executive Scholar with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Jeff was recently recognized for life-long service to international education by the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE).

Kevin Simpson is a native of Flint, Michigan. He owns and operates KDSL Global, an international education consulting company which launched in 2016 in the USA and in the United Arab Emirates. He and his team have served thousands of schools, educators, and leaders worldwide in over 60 countries. The majority of his work in education has centered on American curriculum schools overseas.

Since 2008, he has been focused on education in the MENA region, assisted numerous schools with accreditation, training, development, and served as a thought partner with investors on school start-up projects. Simpson is founder of the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color, Co-Founder of the UAE Learning Network, leads the GCC ASCD Connected Community, and is Co-Founder of Resourceya. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University (USA).