The international schools market is a growing opportunity for US education suppliers, but success requires understanding its distinct needs and dynamics.
Join Rachel Rogers from ISC Research with expert panellists George DeBakey and Michael Campbell, Advancing Global Edu and Phil Redhead, EdV, for a practical session on how US-based businesses can enter and thrive in the global K–12 space on 21st May at 4 pm GMT +1.
The webinar will explore:
- Why international schools are a valuable market for US providers
- Key compliance, customisation, and cultural considerations
- Effective strategies for market entry, scaling, and building partnerships
- Channels and networks to connect with school decision-makers
- Success stories and lessons from US companies already in the field
Whether you’re exploring the international market or ready to expand, this session will offer actionable insights to support your growth.
Meet the panel:
Rachel Rogers, Head of Sales at ISC Research
Rachel has over 25 years’ experience in the education sector having spent most of her career working in Edtech, supporting schools to realise the benefits of technology to support teaching and learning. Before Joining ISC Research, Rachel led an International Sales team at GL Education selling to schools across the globe. ISC Outreach was a key tool for her teams’ sales planning activities!
After studying psychology at university, she has always been interested in how psychology is applied to organisations and businesses. She completed her Masters research looking at Leadership across Multi Academy Trusts.
Phil Redhead, Education Partner at EdV
Phil is the Education Partner at EdV, a unique, service-led consultancy that drives sustainable international growth for Edtech businesses and education suppliers.
With over 25 years of experience in global education, digital transformation and consultancy, Phil is recognised as a pioneer in education innovation. In his early days with GEMS Education, he led the first large scale deployment of iPods and iPads in UAE schools and co-developed and launched the region’s first customised mobile app for home-school communication.
A qualified teacher and school leader, Phil has taught and led in outstanding schools in the UK and the Middle East. He led the digital learning transformation of GEMS Education, where he was Group Head of Education Technology and Digital Learning. As Director of Strategy for Future Gate, Phil was responsible for the impact of learning technology in 25,000 public schools across Saudi Arabia. He also led Deloitte Middle East’s edtech business, delivering high profile projects across the region. Phil is an experienced speaker at global conferences, including GESS (Dubai), BETT Middle East (Abu Dhabi), 21st Century Learning Conference (Hong Kong), Harvard Business Review Edaralab (Dubai), USAID Mobile Learning Symposium (Washington DC), Arabnet Digital Transformation Summit (Beirut) and Monshaat Forum for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (Riyadh). Phil has chaired various technology industry events, including the IoT Integration Summit in Muscat and the Chief Digital Officer Conclave in Dubai, where he was also recognised as The Middle East Digital Disruptor of the Year. Phil’s experience as a large-scale buyer of edtech, together with his expertise in implementation and as a practitioner, enables him, as part of EdV, to provide clients with unique insights into the nuances of successful international edtech sales and sustainable growth.
George T. DeBakey has over 40 years of international business experience in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on expanding educational firms into the Middle East, U.S., and other global markets. His work spans K-12 international schools, universities, vocational training, EdTech, STEM, Arabic language products, AI, VR/AR, robotics, literacy, and professional development. He has collaborated with organizations from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Estonia, and the Middle East, and serves as an international advisor to Advancing Global EDU.
He has contributed to initiatives involving NGSS, Common Core, digital literacy, and cutting-edge STEM tools like robotics and virtual labs, and has spoken widely on education and business development. His career began with Rockwell International and included senior roles in the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he promoted U.S. high-tech exports globally.
Mr. DeBakey holds degrees from Drake University (BS), Thunderbird (MIM), and Southern Methodist University (MBA). He has held advisory roles with the Smithsonian, Arab American Museum, Conrad Foundation, edWeb.net, and helped found the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Michael Campbell, Founder and President of Advancing Global Edu
Michael is known as a connector in the education industry. Michael’s passion for improving education through innovation has helped private and non-profit organizations market solutions supporting the learning community. He has served in various strategic executive marketing management positions in PK–20 technology and publishing industry. Before his current position at Advancing Global EDU, Inc., Michael held leadership positions with Forward Thinking EDU, Learning Bird, Follett Software Company, ETA hand2mind, Pearson, Cengage, and McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Michael’s enthusiasm for innovation in education extends outside of the office. Michael has served on the board of the Educational Technology Industry Network (ETIN), a division of the Software Information Industry Association (SIIA). He has also served on his local village library board and was elected to the Illinois RAILS board (Reaching Across Illinois Library System), which serves over 1300 libraries in Northern Illinois, where he served as the board President from 2020 – 2021. Michael has also served on the Northern Illinois Girl Scouts Board of Directors and the local school district’s Parent Teacher Organization board.
Michael frequently contributes to podcasts, webinars, and conferences, speaking on multiple topics ranging from sales and marketing strategies in education to funding opportunities for schools and businesses.
