OUR GOVERNANCE
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
ISD consists of eight members of senior management.
The team meets regularly to provide direction for the day-to-day operation and the continued development of ISD, and to ensure that learning is at the centre of long-term strategic and operational planning.
| MR FRANK TSCHAN |
| Director Since 2001, Frank has been associated with ISD in a number of teaching, coaching and leadership roles, prior to his appointment as Director in 2020. Frank describes himself as a “servant leader who aims to embody the spirit of the lifelong learner”. Passionate about ISD, Frank prioritises the well-being of the ISD community, from students and faculty to parents and alumni. He envisions ISD as a place where opportunities to learn, participate, and belong are fundamental to students' success, aligning with our mission of being a learning community that takes you beyond where you think you can go. Frank studied Education at Cortland State University (New York), the University of Maryland College Park and the National Sports University in Cologne, Germany. He holds his Bachelor and Masters degrees in teaching and has earned highest-level coaching licences from German and U.S. sports federations. Frank has work experiences ranging from schools to universities to national governing bodies across the U.S. and Europe, primarily in the area of teacher training and development, and coaching. Fluent in German, Frank has lived in the Düsseldorf area since 2005, and has a German wife and two grown daughters. |
MR GIL GRANT |
| Director of Sports & Activities Gil, along with his wife and two children, joined ISD in 2022 after working at four International Schools in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Copenhagen over the past 20 years. He has been involved in all aspects of after-school programmes and completed his Masters in Coaching Education in 2010. He is a strong advocate of the IB educational system and how it encourages students to actively participate in sports and activities. His focus is on collaborating with coaches and activity instructors to create positive and enjoyable experiences that teach diverse skills to students. Gil is inspired by the profound impact that sports and activities have on students, nurturing confidence, establishing friendships, and creating lasting memories that extend beyond their time at ISD. |
MS SIBYLLE HARTH |
| Director of Teaching, Learning, & Technology Sibylle joined ISD as Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology in 2022. Her leadership is grounded in a belief that schools are places of hope, where we learn how to be human together. She aims to create the conditions where both young people and adults can thrive: where we care widely, think deeply, and grow in relationship with one another. A passionate advocate for systems thinking and reflective practice, Sibylle has held leadership roles in international schools across the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Vietnam, and Germany. She leads ISD’s work in teaching, learning, professional growth, and technology, from digital learning tools to the infrastructure that underpins them. Sibylle’s work is driven by a commitment to meaningful impact, designing coherent learning experiences, building professional capacity, and fostering a culture of curiosity, dignity, and shared purpose. Sibylle holds a Master’s in School Leadership and a Master of Business Administration, reflecting her commitment to bridging pedagogical expertise with organisational leadership. |
| MS JACKIE LEUER-HINGSEN |
| Director of Community Relations & Advancement As an ISD alumna with a strong background in strategy, brand building, and entrepreneurship, Jackie brings a unique perspective to leadership. Her journey from student to parent within the ISD community has deepened her understanding of its values and potential. Passionate about fostering strong connections, Jackie aims to enhance digital communication channels, ensuring seamless interaction between students, parents, and faculty. She is committed to inspiring alumni to reconnect with and contribute to the beloved ISD community, believing that a united, engaged network can drive positive change and growth. Her philosophy centres on leveraging her diverse expertise to cultivate an inclusive, innovative environment where every member feels valued and empowered. |
MR CLINTON OLSON |
Senior School Principal Clinton believes in the transformative impact of strong student–teacher relationships, recognising that trust, respect, and genuine care are the foundation for deep learning. He values the expertise of ISD’s highly skilled teachers and leaders, and is committed to empowering and supporting them to do their best work for students. Outside of school, he is an active coach within the ISD Sportverein and enjoys travelling, spending time with his family, and taking part in a wide range of outdoor activities. |
MR MATTHIAS PUCKLITZSCH |
| Director of Finance & Administration Matthias originally trained as an administrative officer for the German Government but soon discovered his passion for finance and management. After earning his degree in Business Administration in 2007, he moved to Asia, where he took on a range of managerial roles in finance and treasury. For more than seven of his ten years abroad, he served as Director of Administration & Finance at a German international school, where he played a key role in strengthening its legal and financial position. Returning to Germany in 2017, Matthias worked as Controller EMEA for an American company before joining the International School of Düsseldorf in 2020. He now combines his experience from both the corporate and education sectors to support the school’s stability and growth. Looking ahead, he is committed to further enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of finance services, and to advancing the strategic use of data and emerging AI tools to strengthen decision-making and operational excellence across the school. |
| MS MELANIE TAYLOR |
| Elementary School Principal Melanie’s international teaching journey began in 2004, when she left Melbourne, Australia for what was meant to be a two-year experience in Germany. Twenty-one years later, after twelve inspiring years in Vietnam and Thailand, she and her family are excited to return to Germany and join the ISD community. Melanie’s leadership is rooted in inclusion, belonging, and empowerment. She is passionate about championing diversity, student agency, and joyful, inquiry-based learning. She believes that schools thrive when relationships are strong, voices are valued, and everyone feels safe to be themselves. A reflective learner and thoughtful listener, Melanie is inspired by the everyday moments of connection and growth that happen in vibrant school communities. Her goal is to help create a space where both students and teachers feel seen, heard, and supported to thrive. |
MS MARIE WILLIS |
| Human Resources Manager Marie has proudly served as the head of Human Resources at ISD since 2001. As a trailing spouse, she followed her husband’s career in the golfing world for what was initially a two-year adventure. She studied Business Administration in the UK and has enjoyed living and working for international companies in the UK, Italy and Germany. Throughout her career, she has been committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and is passionate about providing employees with a positive working environment. Marie has been touched by many talented educators and leaders during her time as an employee and as a parent of children who attended ISD. She strongly believes in the importance of an IB education and the supportive offerings of the ISD community. |
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The ISD Board of Trustees consists of seven elected members, along with up to three appointed members, and up to three ex-officio members. Elected members are current parents who are members of the school association. The current Board includes one appointed member and two ex-officio members (the school director and a representative from the US Consulate General in Düsseldorf).
| MS GLORIA GAVIRIA |
| Originally from Colombia, Gloria and her family are now naturalised German citizens, having lived in Düsseldorf since 2015. A pharmaceutical chemist, passionate about production and quality, Gloria’s heart also lies in fostering diversity and inclusion, as is reflected in her roles on the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Council, and co-leading talent management for a Business Resource Group. Gloria was elected to the ISD Board of Trustees in May 2025. She currently has two children at ISD. |
MR. LARS HERREM |
Board Chair 
|
MR. MICHAEL (MIC) KOCH |
Mic is German and, together with his Belgian wife and their Swedish-born son, moved to the Düsseldorf area in 2019. He has over 30 years' executive experience, most recently in the lotteries industry, where he currently serves as Managing Director EMEA Strategic Accounts for a US-based company. He engages with very large, highly regulated customers from government relations, business development, sales, public tendering, implementation and operations. Mic has been a member of the ISD Board of Trustees since May 2021, focusing on ISD’s fundraising efforts. |
| PROF. DR. MICHAEL (MIKE) KOCH |
Mike is a German citizen with one child at ISD. A Chartered Financial Analyst, he studied Economics at the University of California at Santa Barbara (USA) and earned his PhD at the University of Goettingen (Germany). He spent two decades with the World Bank in Washington, DC where he managed economic development projects in Northern Africa and Eastern Europe and issued bonds in the international capital markets. He also spent three years in private investment banking, and four years with the United Nations as finance and communications director. Since 2018 Mike has worked as a professor of economics and sustainability management at a leading German online university. He also consults with the UN and NGOs on matters of climate change, green infrastructure development, and donor relationship management. Mike joined the ISD Board of Trustees in May 2025. |
MS CORINNE MAUROY-BRESSIER |
| Corinne is a French national who has lived and worked in Brazil, Mexico, the USA, France, Switzerland, and Germany. She holds an MBA in Finance from HEC Paris and held senior finance positions in multinational companies before stepping back in 2015 to support her three children, two of whom are now IB graduates, as they navigated diverse international school systems. Since 2020, she has been actively engaged in the ISD community, most recently serving as Co-Chair of the Parent Community Association. Corinne joined the ISD Board of Trustees in May 2025. |
MR EMILIO PÜSCHMANN |
Vice Chair 1 | Treasurer Emilio has a Business Management degree from the University of Surrey (UK) and completed his IB Diploma at the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz in Switzerland. He began his career in London in M&A and Private Equity, but his passion for innovation led him to Latin America where he founded and led two healthcare companies. Today, he invests in and advises ventures across healthcare, pharma, technology, and finance, and is an active member of YPO. Emilio joined the ISD Board of Trustees in May 2025. |
| MS MARA ZAVAGNO |
Vice Chair 2 
In 2021 she gained certification in Board Governance. She is currently Vice President Business HR, Managing Director, and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for a world leading company in the machinery sector. Mara has more than 25 years' experience working in human resources for multinational companies, leading strategic HR projects in change management, talent management, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. She has also been a keynote speaker in several international forums. Mara has been on the Board of Trustees since May 2019. Her eldest child is an ISD graduate, and she has one child still at ISD. |
MR SIMON CHAUDHURI |
Appointed Board member | Secretary Simon holds a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) and an MSc in Management from LSE and the University of Chicago Booth Business School. He is married and the father of two daughters. He is a passionate follower of Fortuna Düsseldorf and active within the city’s business and start-up community. |
| MR JAYSEN LIPPOLDT |
Ex-officio Board Member | US Consulate General representative After the military, Jaysen has worked in various jobs and capacities in the US Government and is currently a civil servant with the US Department of State. Having worked the majority of his life in the public sector, Jaysen prioritises service to others. |
MR FRANK TSCHAN |
Ex-officio Board Member | ISD Director Former Board Chair Andreas Collor, commenting on Frank’s selection from a highly competitive field of candidates and noting his accomplishments in the role of Acting Director, sees Frank as “passionately committed to guiding ISD to a sustainable and exciting future, a trusted leader held in high regard by the ISD community”. Commenting further in the ISD community announcement, Frank “has demonstrated the skills and talent needed to navigate ISD through transition and beyond”. |