our Leadership
leadership at VERSO International School of Bangkok, thailand
VERSO’s School Leadership Team brings together experienced educators and administrators who collaborate to enhance learner achievement through strategic decision-making and shared governance.
This dedicated group analyzes educational trends, develops improvement plans, and ensures all initiatives align with school-wide goals. Through their collective expertise, they foster a culture of accountability and educational excellence while guiding our school community toward continuous improvement.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dr. Ryan Persaud
BBA (Business Administration), Wilfrid Laurier University
BEd & MEd (Education), University of Toronto
EdD (Educational Leadership), University of Western Ontario
Dr. Ryan Persaud, our Head of School, has over twenty (20) years of experience as a teacher, coach, and leader in international schools. He began his professional career as an ESL/EAL teacher in South Korea in 2000 before returning to Canada to obtain his teaching credentials. Ryan was the Instructional Program Leader (K-12) at Halton District School Board in Canada where he coached and facilitated the professional development for K-12 staff on creating inquiry-based lessons and units of study with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) lens.
In 2014, he returned to Korea International School in Seoul as a classroom teacher before quickly being promoted to the role of Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning where he developed school wide systems such as the Assessment Policy, Climate and Culture Policy, and created a Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Cycle to guide professional learning and standardize curriculum review.
In 2018, he joined the International School of Curitiba in Brazil as the Director of IT & Innovation where he planned, designed, and implemented a Design and Innovation Center, a new Student Information System, a new Learning Management System and a new Admissions System. He also developed his team’s expertise in Stanford’s Design Thinking Framework. In 2020-2021, Dr. Ryan took on the role as interim Head of School and facilitated the development of the school’s strategic plan.
Dr. Ryan became Head of School at VERSO International School since the 2023-2024 school year and is joined by his wife, Sarah and twin daughters.
Lower Loop Leader
(Early Years 2–Grade 4)
Cushla Jones
BE (Teaching, Primary), University of Waikato
MEd (Educational Leadership and Change), The Education University of Hong Kong
Cushla Jones, our Lower Loop Leader, has held leadership roles as a Curriculum Coordinator, Elementary Assistant Principal and Head of Lower School.
In addition to working in New Zealand she has also worked in China and Japan. She served the Marist Brothers International School in Kobe for 8 years and was the former Elementary Assistant Principal at St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo prior to joining VERSO.
She has a strong background in instructional leadership, curriculum development and helping educators grow professionally.
Middle & UPPER Loop Leader (Grades 5–12)
Giles Pinto
BA (English Honors), University of Toronto
BEd (Education), University of Toronto
MEd (Counseling Psychology), University of Toronto
Giles grew up as a ‘third culture kid’, attending international schools in Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Middle East. These experiences give him insights into how best to support learners as a school leader.
He earned an M.A. in Asian Studies and M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Toronto, which is where he completed his B.Ed. for teacher training at the Intermediate/Senior level. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in English Literature.
Giles has previously worked at international schools in Canada, the Bahamas and Japan as a teacher and program coordinator as well as an educational leader. Within the International Baccalaureate system, he has been a workshop leader, curriculum reviewer, consultant and school evaluator. He also worked in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher for English.
Director of Curriculum AND Learning
Suzanne Kitto
BA (Japanese Studies), The University of Waikato
BEd (Tchg) (Japanese and English Curriculum), The University of Waikato
Suzanne Kitto has spent two decades living and working at international schools in Asia – Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, with her child, Jules, in tow.
She started her career as a Japanese Second Language, English and Social Studies teacher in New Zealand before being introduced to the International Baccalaureate, specifically the Exhibition year of the PYP and becoming an IB Workshop Leader and School Visit Team Member. She has also led professional development workshops at conferences all around Asia.
Suzanne is fascinated with visual literacy and is a self taught amateur designer. She became particularly interested in learner-driven pedagogy when given the opportunity to pilot a self-directed learning model at the International School Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in 2017.
Suzanne has come to see learning as an ever-evolving adventure—one that sometimes outpaces the one-size-fits-all model of traditional schooling. She believes learners thrive when they develop independence and self-management, build skills for life, and learn how to learn—thinking for themselves while being considerate of and striving for the greater good—and that curiosity is a superpower, turning every situation into an opportunity to discover, create, and grow.
Director of educational technology AND innovation, data protection officer
Dr. Rolly Alfonso-Maiquez
BA (Educational Psychology), Ateneo de Manila Loyola University
MA (Clinical Counseling Psychology), University of Guam
EdD (Instructional Technology and Distance Education), Nova Southeastern University
Dr. Rolly Alfonso-Maiquez serves as Director of Educational Technology & Innovation and Data Protection Officer (DPO) at VERSO, where he leads, plans, and implements educational and operational technology initiatives. As an Apple Distinguished Educator (Class of 2010) and an avid believer in robotics and AI in education, Dr. Rolly firmly believes in technology’s potential to enhance the educational environment.
He engages in various projects throughout the school aimed at improving and streamlining both educational and general operations. Dr. Rolly sees artificial intelligence as having significant potential to assist with tasks while making processes more enjoyable and effective.
His vision combines practical technology implementation with a focus on meaningful educational outcomes. At VERSO, he works to create systems that support both teaching and administrative functions, always with an eye toward how technology can serve as an enabler rather than becoming the centerpiece of education.
Through his leadership and expertise, Dr. Rolly demonstrates a commitment to leveraging technological innovation while maintaining that the primary focus remains on learning itself—with technology serving as a powerful tool to enhance the educational experience.
Director of ATHLETICS
Jay Leroy
BA (Social Science), University of Western Ontario
BEd (Tchg), Southern Cross University, New South Wales
Certificate in Intermediate Physical and Health Education, Trent University, Ontario
Jay is from London Ontario, Canada, and married with two lovely children, a 5-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl. He is a former collegiate and semi professional athlete in the sports of American football and lacrosse. Jay enjoys family, travel and physical fitness.
Jay has been working internationally for 17 years. His experience includes teaching and leading athletic programs in Australia, The United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Colombia and now here in The Kingdom of Thailand! He is also a certified personal trainer with specializations in youth strength & conditioning and exercise therapy from Lionel University in California (ISSA).
Director of marketing AND admissions
Langelihle (Langa) Ndiweni
BA (Communication Science, Corporate and Marketing Communication), University of Free State
MBA (International Marketing), IU International University of Applied Sciences
Langa Ndiweni joins VERSO as Director of Marketing and Admissions, and is coming to us from Harare International School in Zimbabwe where she worked as the Admissions, Marketing, and Advancement Coordinator.
Langa is a third culture student herself, having studied in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Communications, and a Masters of Business Administration. Langa’s international experience and expertise in educational marketing will be invaluable as we continue to grow our VERSO community.
Director of Operations
Kanoknat (Aey) Amornthewaphat
BCA (Communication Arts), University of Thai Chamber of Commerce
MBA, Ramkhamhaeng University
With over 23 years of experience spanning nearly 10 international schools across Thailand, Kanoknat (Aey), is highly skilled in the complexities of school operations, with deep insights into the multifaceted needs of the international educational environment.
She has been an instrumental figure behind the scenes, ensuring seamless support for a wide array of education, extracurricular, and operational activities.
Aey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, blending her expertise in communication and business management to enhance every aspect of school life.
Driven by a commitment to educational excellence, her vision is to elevate VERSO to become the leading school in Asia, known for its innovative approach and outstanding student support.
Director of finance
Chalida (Lida) Theerasatitchai
BA (Accounting and Business Tax), Chulalongkorn University
MA (Economic Law), Chulalongkorn University
Chalida is our Director of Finance and has worked for Hyundai, Exxon, Volvo, and KPMG amongst others, bringing a wealth of experience from her career in global finance and business management. Chalida has held diverse financial leadership positions, including Head of Finance, Auditor, Business Manager, and Reporting Analyst. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Tax Law, and a Masters in Economic Law.
Her diverse skill set and experience with multinational corporations will be essential in steering VERSO’s financial strategy and operations.