Sarah Reich, your host, serves as the Director of Community Relations at the International School of Hamburg. With a career in European government relations and public affairs, Sarah has worked within EU institutions, the consular corps, and leading international companies. Her academic and professional interests have always centred on governance and citizenship, making the mission of the International School of Hamburg—to prepare students as tomorrow’s global citizens—a perfect fit. In 2022, upon joining the International School of Hamburg, Sarah launched the Kids Gone Global podcast. This initiative aims to provide a platform for sharing the insights of experts and students in the dynamic field of international education. Through the podcast, she engages parents and the broader community in discussions about modern educational approaches and how international schools are addressing contemporary challenges in learning and growing up in a global environment.

Ana-Mara Leppink, born in Hamburg, holds both German and Dutch nationalities and is now attending Harvard University and plans to do a double major in “Environmental Science and Applied Math”. Ana-Mara attended the International School of Hamburg from the age of five in 2010 until her graduation in 2023. Among her favourite school memories are the NECIS volleyball tournaments, in which she participated since 5th grade, the Duke of Edinburgh Trip in 11th grade, and the vibrant International Fairs. Throughout her school years, Ana-Mara was an active member of the student council and spearheaded various initiatives, including setting up the house system in 2022 with the students council and founding the Green ISH club to enhance environmental awareness and practices among her peers and the broader school community thereby setting the school on the path to an eco-school accreditation. Ana-Mara is a strong advocate of student-to-student mentorship and support and remains a dedicated member of the ISH Community.

Dr. Nneka Johnson is an educational consultant who is dedicated to supporting schools in creating human-centered solutions that empower students, educators, staff, and school leaders. She believes in the use of innovative methodologies to make a positive impact within diverse school communities. In 2023, Nneka became the first Fellow at the Council of International Schools (CIS). Before joining CIS, she spent five years at the International School of Dakar (ISD), where she held the position of Director of Innovation and Strategic Development. In her senior leadership role at ISD she was responsible for several school strategic initiatives. She is a member of the AISA Board and sits on the Membership Committee. She has been a member of the AISA Professional Learning Design Team since 2019. Nneka is an EDSAFE AI Women in AI Fellow. EDSAFE AI is a global initiative led by InnovateEDU, designed to foster a safer and more trustworthy AI education ecosystem through research, policy, and practice. Nneka’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Queens College in New York City, a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Mercer University in Atlanta. Nneka is a frequent presenter on topics such as Design Thinking, generative AI, student voice, and DEIJ.

Navin Proff, a German national, graduated from the International School of Hamburg in 2024 and is about to begin his freshman year at Yale University, where he plans to pursue a double major in Philosophy & Economics. An avid learner, Navin started studying Law at the University of Hamburg at the age of 16 and has completed the Harvard Extension School undergraduate “Social Justice” certificate. Navin recently published his first book “Telosismus” in 2023 which he refers to in this episode. As the Founder and President of the international honour society Alpha Epsilon Omicron, Navin leads initiatives focused on philosophical, social, and environmental projects. His research at Universität Hamburg’s Center for Natural Science and Peace Research is centered on climate change and its societal impacts, conducted within the Cluster of Excellence (CLICCS). Navin has also interned at prestigious law firms and achieved his professional certifications from the New York Institute of Finance and The Wharton School. Driven by a passion for knowledge and social impact, Navin aims to leverage his diverse experiences at school and beyond to foster positive change and innovation. At ISH for example he took a number of extra-curricular initiatives such as lead the student Council, speak at the TEDx event hosted at the school in 2024, joined the Tunisia and Tanzania projects and started a number of popular clubs.