Dr. Mari Simpson

Vice Principal at Emirates National School

Speaker

Dr. Mari Simpson is a school transformation specialist with a track record of driving measurable, sustainable improvement in international school settings.

As a former principal, she led a whole-school turnaround that achieved 76.8% enrollment growth, raised staff retention from 69% to 92%, and earned 98.5% parent approval of a school-wide shift to project-based learning. Her work is grounded in the conviction that lasting change begins with adult capacity: building the right people, aligning systems, and cultivating a culture of belonging before expecting agency.

A published author and doctoral practitioner, Mari's book, "Built for Capacity: How Leaders Build People, Systems, and Culture for Lasting School Improvement," distils 14 chapters of hard-won insight on sequencing change, visible learning, operational discipline, and parent trust.