This is a show we’ve wanted to do for a long time. We so admire women leaders, and we have some major players on with us today! Kim Cofino is a well-known voice in the areas of women in leadership and instructional coaching. Madeleine Maceda Heide is a former head of school in South America, Europe and Asia and is the co-founder of the Women in Leadership organisation associated with the AMISA region of schools. Rhonda Norris is Superintendent of the International Schools Group in Saudi Arabia and has been a head of school in the Caribbean and in Asia, and Heather Naro, a returning guest, is Head of School at Schutz in Alexandria, Egypt. Among them they have many years of experience in Asia, South America, Europe, Africa,the Caribbean and the Middle East.Their wisdom runs deep and their compassion is overflowing. This was a heartfelt and intimate conversation where the ladies shared all of their best tips for aspiring women leaders, with a big one being: “Go for it!”
Full Bios:
Kim Cofino has been an educator in international schools since August 2000. Having lived and worked in Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan, Kim has had a variety of roles in international schools, including (her favorite) instructional coach. Kim is the host of the #coachbetter podcast, and frequently speaks and writes about the power of coaching to sustain change in schools. In addition to her work in education, Kim is also a competitive powerlifter, currently on the Thai National Team as the 63kg M1 representative for Thailand. Based in Bangkok, Kim is the Founder and CEO of Eduro Learning, where she supports educators and schools to develop sustainable and successful instructional coaching programs. Kim is also the Executive Director and Founder of the Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (AAICIS). Learn more about Kim and Eduro at Eduro Learning.
Dr. Heather Naro is an experienced international educator and school leader who began her overseas career in 1992 after leaving her native Canada. She has held leadership and teaching positions in diverse countries including Egypt, China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and Côte d’Ivoire. Dr. Naro is recognized for her commitment to inclusive education, having introduced and championed inclusive practices at several international schools.
She served as the Lower School Principal at the International Community School of Abidjan from 2021 to 2024, where she led initiatives to support diverse learners and fostered a collaborative, research-based approach to education. In July 2024, Dr. Naro became the Head of School at Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt.
Madeleine Maceda Heide is a seasoned international educator and consultant, recognized for her leadership in schools and organizations across the globe, including Argentina, Ecuador, India, Hong Kong, Belgium, Taiwan, the Philippines, the United States, and Canada. She has served in prominent roles such as Head of School, Divisional Principal, Educational Coordinator, and teacher, working with students from early childhood to university level, as well as adult professionals.
A proud Filipino-Canadian, Madeleine grew up in Manila in a multicultural household, which shaped her global perspective and commitment to diversity and inclusion. She is now a Senior Consultant with Carney, Sandoe & Associates, focusing on international school leadership recruitment, professional development for women, and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Madeleine remains active in mentoring, speaking at conferences, and supporting educational communities worldwide.
Rhonda Norris is a distinguished educational leader and Certified Public Accountant with over 36 years of combined experience in education and business. She currently serves as the Superintendent of the International Schools Group (ISG) in Saudi Arabia, a role she began in August 2024. Prior to this, Norris was the Director of the Anglo-American School of Moscow from 2018 to 2024, and has held senior leadership roles at international schools across the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean, including the Carol Morgan School in the Dominican Republic, International School of Beijing, Canadian Academy, and Singapore American School.
Known for her expertise in strategic planning, school operations, and fostering collaborative relationships, Norris has led schools ranging from 200 to 3,800 students and staff teams as large as 650. She is recognized for her commitment to purposeful learning, community engagement, and building organizational capacity for educational excellence.
Our Guiding Question was “What have been some of your most useful lessons learned as a woman leader in International Education?”
Here are a few of the topics covered in this episode:
Reasons for becoming leaders
Pathways to leadership
Barriers to women becoming leaders
Steps to take and advice to becoming a leader
Advice not to take along the way
The importance of mentoring, modeling, perspective taking, service, finding your fit, adaptability and lots more!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools - AAICIS
American International Schools in the Americas (AMISA) Women in Leadership website
Kim’s Website, Eduro Learning and her book co-authored with Christina Botbyl - Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership
Kim’s Coach Better Podcast - #coachbetter
Our podcast episode with Claire Gaul - On Followership and the Complexities of International Teaching (Episode 82)
LinkedIn Contact Information:
The show was recorded on June 16, 2025. Categories: Leadership | School Life
