Dedicated to supporting
our global arts community

Mike, a specialist in international arts education, is an active filmmaker and artist. His professional journey has been dedicated to creating innovative strategies to help young people access high-quality arts experiences. Before joining ISTA, he led the global development of the International Baccalaureate’s (IB) Diploma Programme theatre, film, and visual arts courses. Mike holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts Education and a Doctorate in International Education, with his doctoral research focusing on how IB World Schools can overcome barriers that prevent students from opting for IB DP arts courses.

As ISTA’s Executive Director, Mike leads the organisation and works with the Board of Trustees to set and deliver its strategy. Together with ISTA’s leadership team, he oversees all of ISTA’s work, builds partnerships with arts organisations, foundations and the International Baccalaureate, leads fundraising, and is the strategic lead for Encore, ISTA’s on-demand learning platform, championing ISTA’s mission of empowering young people through world-class experiences in theatre and the related arts.

Contact for: Strategic initiatives, projects, partnerships, Encore, fundraising and grants.

Tom studied management, adult education teaching, and is also a qualified life coach. Before joining ISTA in 2014, he built a career in local government with a focus on education, championing its importance at a national level. Driven by a passion for empowering people to achieve their potential, he believes the arts are a powerful catalyst for making this possible.

As ISTA’s Head of Operations and Governance, Tom leads the systems, finances and governance that support ISTA’s work. He oversees financial planning and control, risk and safeguarding, HR, the annual events schedule, and ISTA’s operational and commercial platforms, and supports the Board of Trustees with the assurance it needs to govern.

Tom lives in Falmouth, UK, with his partner, Logan, and their Cocker Spaniel, Leo.

Contact for: Operations, governance, finance, risk, health and safety, and HR.

Helen holds a BA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an MA in Shakespeare and Theatre. As a theatre director and practitioner, she co-founded the theatre company Light Bulbs in Soil in 2018 and was honoured with the John Fernald Award in 2017. Helen’s recent work includes serving as Guest Director for Hope Valley Hotel & Spa with Separate Doors, Associate Director for Persuasion at the Rose Theatre, Alexandra Palace, and Oxford Playhouse, and Movement Director for ISTA’s Digital Global Production 2020 Vision, which was nominated for an Outstanding Drama Initiative award. She also works as an ISTA artist, Artistic Director, and Artist in Residence.

As ISTA’s Head of Programmes and Pedagogy, Helen leads ISTA’s artistic and educational work, making sure every festival, workshop and professional learning experience is pedagogically rigorous and true to the ISTA Ensemble Method. She oversees ISTA’s student, educator and youth leadership programmes, including Artist in Residence, leads the recruitment and development of ISTA artists, and heads the programmes team.

Contact for: ISTA artists, programme quality, and the Artist in Residence (AIR) programme.

Keriann holds a BA (Hons) in Sociology with minors in English and Drama in Education, as well as a BEd for primary, junior, and intermediate levels, with experience teaching both the IB PYP and MYP curricula.

As ISTA’s Head of Brand and Communications, Keriann leads ISTA’s brand, voice and marketing, and the content that goes out across the website, email, social media and video. She oversees the experience of ISTA’s website and membership hub. She also enjoys working as an ISTA Rep at events, allowing her to fully engage with the ISTA experience.

Contact for: Brand, marketing, communications and the website.

Vicki is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, holding an Honours Specialist BA in Drama, a BEd in Intermediate/Secondary Drama & English, and an MSc in International Education. Her teaching career began in Canada, followed by international teaching and arts administration roles in Bahrain, Norway, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic. Vicki specialises in IB DP Theatre and secondary drama and serves as a senior examiner for IB DP Theatre.

Joining ISTA in 2021, Vicki now calls Prague home. As ISTA’s Programming and Membership Manager, she looks after ISTA’s member community, from onboarding and engagement to membership services, and manages ISTA’s CRM and membership data. She also supports the planning of ISTA’s global events programme and works as a Rep at TAPS, festivals and IB workshops.

Contact for: Membership and programming.

Sophie holds a BA in Theatre Acting and a PGCE in Drama. She has taught in drama schools in the United Kingdom and internationally, working with various curricula and exam boards.

As ISTA’s Professional Learning Manager, Sophie leads ISTA’s professional learning offer for educators worldwide, including IB workshops, professional development and learning (PD&L), bespoke training for schools, and professional learning courses on Encore. She produces ISTA’s monthly classroom resource for members, develops ISTA’s network of IB workshop leaders, and manages educator events.

Contact for: IB workshops, professional development and learning (PD&L), educator resources and Encore courses.

Emily is a bilingual theatre director, practitioner, and performer. She trained as an actress at ENSATT in Lyon, France, and holds a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre Arts from Middlesex University in London.

Her recent work includes The Path of Words directed by Thomas Masters at Momo Art Space, Italy, Assistant Director/Dramaturg on Light by Gerry Carroll, and Romeo and Juliette Reimagined with Butterfly Theatre and Emerge Productions. In addition to her freelance work, Emily runs her own company, Join the Dots Theatre. She also works as an ISTA Artist and Rep.

As ISTA’s Student Programmes Manager, Emily plans and delivers ISTA’s student programmes, including festivals, TAPS and FRAME, working closely with host schools, participants and artists. She leads the Creative Leadership Programme (CLP), ISTA’s pathway for Young Creative Leaders aged 16+, and connects ISTA with new host schools, venues, artists and theatre companies.

Contact for: Student events, the Creative Leadership Programme, host schools, TAPS companies and artists.

Jodie holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and brings experience from both the private and public sectors. She began her career in accountancy practice before moving into school finance for UK local authorities. In addition, she spent five years running her own e-commerce business, managing national and international sales.

As ISTA’s Finance & Administration Manager, Jodie oversees ISTA’s financial operations, from budgeting, bookkeeping and management accounts to invoicing, payments and the annual audit. She also runs payroll, supports HR administration, tracks e-commerce revenue, and keeps ISTA compliant with UK charity reporting requirements.

Contact for: Accounts, payments and invoices.

Alona is an academic, artist, and theatre educator based in The Netherlands. She holds a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Performance Practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and is in the process of completing her MA in Jewish Studies at the University of Amsterdam. Having studied and worked in international schools, Alona particularly values ISTA’s mission of inspiring global citizenship through creative pursuits.

As ISTA’s Event Coordinator, Alona supports the delivery of ISTA’s festivals, workshops and professional learning events, coordinating travel, accommodation, schedules and event documentation, and liaising with host schools and venues. She also manages selected events and is a first point of contact for schools with logistical questions.

Contact for: Event logistics, travel and accommodation.