Women’s+ Leadership

A global community supporting women leaders in international education.

The ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s+ Symposium brings women leaders from around the world together to connect, reflect, learn, and grow as leaders in international schools.

Through the annual Symposium, leadership certificate, year-round resources, and community conversations, ISS supports aspiring and established women leaders while helping schools build more inclusive leadership pathways for the future.

Find what’s right for you

Where Would You Like to Begin?

Choose the path that best matches how you want to connect with ISS Women’s Leadership.

ISS Women’s Symposium

Nominate a delegate to join women leaders and allies for meaningful conversation, professional learning, networking, and reflection focused on women’s leadership in international schools.

Women’s Leadership Certificate

Explore identity, systems, wellbeing, and influence through flexible learning designed to help international educators grow as leaders on their own schedule.

Leadership Resources

Access recordings, newsletters, reflective prompts, and shared resources from past Women’s Leadership gatherings and Womenar conversations.

Stay
Connected

Sign up for communications, nominate a delegate, or learn how your school can support women leaders in international education.

A Look Back at the Women’s+ Symposium 2025

The 23rd ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s+ Symposium took place on June 20-22, 2025, bringing together a dynamic group of women educational leaders from around the world. This year’s theme, “Women as Global Leaders: Creating a Legacy,” celebrated the ongoing transformative power of leadership and connection.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our inspiring speakers and panelists, Fran Prolman, Nicole Furlonge, Liz Cho, Tiwanna Merritt, Katrina Daniels-Samasa, Meredith Klein, Azra Pathan, and Mayamouna Sakho, whose invaluable insights and expertise, fostering rich discussions and collaborations. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue the conversations through our virtual community, offering free webinars to all Women’s+ Symposium members, ensuring year-round connection and professional development opportunities through our new certificate for Women Leaders.

Since 2002, this annual symposium has helped to advance women educators in leadership in international schools – as well as provide important role models to future generations of women leaders.

Each year, over two dozen leaders from international schools around the world assemble for the annual ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s+ Symposium to discuss the context for women leadership in international schools, network, and further their own professional development in a stimulating series of workshops and conversations. In recent years, symposium alumni have organized workshops at regional conferences for both male and female leaders.

Learn More About Mary Anne Haas

Quotes

A leader sees greatness in other people. You can’t be much of a leader if all you see is yourself. Only equals make friends. A man or woman who sees other people as whole and prepared and accords them respect and the same rights has arranged his or her own allies.

Maya Angelou

2013, Harvard Business Review interview

Making an Impact in Women’s Leadership

According to data from the Academy of International School Heads (AISH), over the past decade, the percentage of women heads at international schools has increased from 27% to 33%. That growth is attributable to the early female pioneers as well as to many male and female champions who encouraged women to seek leadership roles in international schools.

There is still more progress to be made! If you are an aspiring woman head or an established head interested in championing women in leadership, please let us know.

Nominate a Delegate

From the Symposium: Resources & Insights

Free Presentations from the 2023-2024 School Year

The Power of Connections: Tools to Leverage Networks, Mentors & Sponsors

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Exploring Trends & Patterns in Women's Leadership (Part 1)

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Exploring Trends & Patterns in Women's Leadership (Part 2)

ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s+ Symposium Padlet

From articles about leadership, to reflective prompts from facilitators, this padlet collects the great resources shared during previous Womenars. Anyone is welcome to access for free!

View Padlet

View Past Newsletters

Stay connected and view our previous newsletters. Keep up-to-date with the latest topics and trends from ISS.

View Newsletters

About The Sponsors

Womenar Series Spotlight: #LiftEachOtherUp through Creative Leadership

Where do we fall? What do we do as women leaders to bring sense of all the things that make us… us? How do we #lifteachotherup? How do we lead? How do we create our own voices? Let’s come together to work it out. To move together in our Leadership with heart. Come with curiosity to find the audacity and courage to breathe authenticity and creativity into your own leadership.

Presented by Liz Cho, Principal of Teaching and Learning at Korea International School

FAQ

Questions Answered

Have questions about ISS Women’s Leadership, the Mary Anne Haas Women’s Symposium, the Women’s Leadership Certificate, nominations, resources, or sponsorship opportunities? Start here for quick answers.

CommonlyAskedQuestions

What is ISS Women’s Leadership?

ISS Women’s Leadership is a global community that supports women leaders in international education through the Mary Anne Haas Women’s Symposium, leadership learning, resources, and year-round connection.

Who is ISS Women’s Leadership for?

The community is designed for aspiring women leaders, current school leaders, educators, and allies who want to support stronger leadership pathways and representation in international schools.

What is the ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s Symposium?

The Symposium is an annual gathering that brings women leaders together to discuss leadership in international schools, network with peers, learn from guest speakers, and continue their professional growth.

What is the Women’s Leadership Certificate?

The Women’s Leadership Certificate is a flexible learning opportunity for women leaders and allies. It explores identity, systems, wellbeing, influence, and leadership growth in an international school context.

Can I nominate someone to participate?

Yes. Schools and community members can nominate a delegate or express interest in future Women’s Leadership opportunities.

Are resources available outside the Symposium?

Yes. ISS shares recordings, newsletters, Padlet resources, and other materials that help the community stay connected and continue learning throughout the year.

Can organizations sponsor ISS Women’s Leadership?

Yes. Sponsorship helps support the ISS Mary Anne Haas Women’s Symposium and related Women’s Leadership programming. Interested organizations can contact ISS to learn more.

Next Steps

Continue the Conversation

Whether you are an aspiring woman leader, an established school leader, a school championing leadership development, or an organization interested in supporting the community, ISS Women’s Leadership can help you connect with meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and move forward together.