Leadership and Governance
Meet the leaders who guide, support, and shape the future of ISBerne.
At the International School of Berne (ISBerne), we are a private day school in Gümligen, welcoming more than 275 students aged 3–18 from Switzerland and around the world. Since 1961, our school has been built on strong relationships, academic excellence, and an inclusive international community.
Our experienced leadership team, Board of Directors, and Parent Advisory Board work together to provide strategic direction and support every member of our school community.
Whether you are exploring ISBerne, already part of our community, or interested in joining our team, we invite you to meet the people who help lead our school.
Get in Touch
Our Welcome Desk specialists, Ms. Françoise Boillat and Ms. Alice Germann, are happy to answer your questions in English, German, and French and connect you with the right member of our leadership or school community.
📞 +41 31 959 10 00
✉️ office@isberne.ch
Current Families
Current ISBerne families can find contact information for teachers, school leadership, and staff through the Parent Portal. Login required.
Our Leadership Teams
We welcome and connect. We nurture and inspire. We challenge and prepare.
ISBerne is led by experienced educational leaders and supported by dedicated governance groups who work together to ensure every student receives an outstanding educational experience. Below you can learn more about the people responsible for the strategic direction, academic leadership, and long-term success of our school.
Senior Leadership Team
Provides the overall strategic leadership and day-to-day management of ISBerne.
Denise Coates
School Director
Appointed the Director of ISBerne in 2018, Denise Coates is an outstanding and experienced school leader originally from the United Kingdom. Ms. Coates was formerly the Director of Knightsbridge Schools International, Morges, and the Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Lead for the Knightsbridge Schools group. She is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) Lead Educator for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
Interview in 'International School Parent Magazine'
LinkedIn Profile
Margrit Schürch
Business Manager
Margrit Schürch is a graduate of the Berne University of Applied Sciences in Economics and Business Administration. She has more than thirty years of financial and management expertise in various industries. Prior to joining ISBerne in 2008, she was a Manager at Ernst & Young in Switzerland. She also spent a number of years in Dubai and UAE working for a German insurance company and later in regional management of the Gulf and Pakistan for a European airline.
Pedagogical Leadership Team
Supports teaching, learning, curriculum, and student wellbeing across the school.
Kevin Boyd
Upper School Principal
Before becoming Upper School Principal, Mr. Boyd joined ISBerne as a German Teacher for Grades 6 to 12, as well as our Futures and University Counselor.
Annelize Deuchar
Middle School Principal
Originally from South Africa, Mrs. Deuchar started her career as a Mathematics and Science teacher. Before becoming Middle School Principal, she joined ISBerne as Subject Area Leader for Mathematics. She holds a Master's degree in Education from North-West University in South Africa.
Richard Dowse
Primary School Principal
Originally from Australia, Richard Dowse has taught in schools in Australia, Ireland, and Switzerland. Before becoming Primary School Principal, he had been at ISBerne for eight years teaching Grade 3 and Grade 4. He earned his Bachelors in Education degree and Diploma of Teaching at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia.
Dom Thomas
Head of Operations and Communications
Originally from the United Kingdom, Dom Thomas has taught in international schools in Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan for more than twenty years. He has previous International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) leadership experience in both China and Azerbaijan, as well as being a Visiting Team Member and Workshop Leader for the IB.
Board of Directors
Provides governance, strategic oversight, and long-term guidance for ISBerne.
ISBerne is owned by Pansophic Learning, a global school management company. Four representatives from Pansophic Learning sit on the ISBerne Board of Directors. ISBerne's Board provides strategic oversight and meets quarterly with the ISBerne's Senior Leadership Team to ensure our school's continued success.
Ron Packard
CEO and Co-Founder of Pansophic Learning
Ron Packard is CEO and Co-Founder of Pansophic Learning and is widely recognised as an educator, entrepreneur, and leader in education. He is the author of Education Transformation, exploring the role of technology in the future of education. Before founding Pansophic Learning, Mr. Packard founded and led K12, helping build it into a leading education company. Throughout his career, he has founded numerous education organisations and received the Education Industry Association's Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.
Maria Szalay
Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Pansophic Learning
Maria Szalay serves as Chairperson of the ISBerne Board of Directors and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategy, operations, and educational leadership. She is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Pansophic Learning.
Before co-founding Pansophic Learning, Ms. Szalay played a key role in growing K12 from a start-up into a leading publicly traded company. Earlier in her career, she was Practice Director at Operon Partners, where she advised on business strategy and organisational transformation.
Martha Burnige
Executive Vice President and General Manager, International Schools, Pansophic Learning
Martha Burnige is a senior education executive and lawyer with more than two decades of experience working with schools and educational institutions worldwide.
Alongside serving on the ISBerne Board of Directors, Mrs. Burnige chairs a group of seven schools in the United Kingdom and serves on the boards of international schools in the Middle East and Uganda. She also serves on the Board of the ISBerne Foundation, which provides educational scholarships.
Steve Goetzinger
Senior Vice President, Finance & Accounting, Pansophic Learning
Steve Goetzinger brings extensive experience in accounting, finance, and business management across the education, technology, service, and manufacturing sectors.
As Senior Vice President of Finance & Accounting at Pansophic Learning, he provides expertise in financial reporting, corporate governance, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic financial planning. His experience helps support the long-term financial strength of ISBerne.
Parent Advisory Board
Strengthens communication between families and school leadership. To ensure strong parent engagement, ISBerne has a Parent Advisory Board. It serves as a vital link between parents and the school leadership, providing valuable input and feedback on school initiatives. The Parent Advisory Board meets quarterly prior to each Board of Directors meeting to ensure that the perspectives of our diverse parent community are heard and considered in all key decision-making processes.
Meet Our Teachers and Staff
Behind every student's experience is a dedicated team of teachers, specialists, and support staff. Learn more about the people who make ISBerne such a welcoming and inspiring place to learn.
Join Our Team
Interested in working at ISBerne? Explore our current employment opportunities and learn more about becoming part of our international community.