Governance

EAB is an international school that operates as a non-profit organization and is overseen by a dedicated group of volunteers known as the Board of Directors. If you're interested in learning more about the governance of our non-profit school, including our governing documents, the role of the board of directors, and the individual volunteers who serve on the board, you've come to the right place.

With a rich history of 61 years in teaching and learning, EAB takes pride in its vibrant community. We hold our school, faculty, staff, and students in high regard. Although we do not intervene in day-to-day operations, our unwavering commitment lies in consistently striving for excellence in all aspects of our board governance practices. We aim to create a world-class environment for teaching and learning not only for the present but for the coming decades and beyond.

About the School Board

What does the Board do?

The board's responsibilities include embracing and upholding EAB's mission, vision, and strategic direction, as well as safeguarding the organization's long-term sustainability and financial well-being. They are responsible for the hiring, support, and evaluation of the Head of School.

The Board carries out its work through the following committees: finance, facilities, governance, and audit. In addition, the Board utilizes ad hoc task forces to focus on specific concerns or initiatives related to school governance.

In terms of time commitment, Board members typically participate in 10 monthly board meetings per school year in addition to participating in one of aforementioned committees. In addition, they engage in two two-day retreats annually. On average, Board members contribute 15-25 volunteer hours per month.

How is the Board organized and its members selected?

In accordance with the EAB bylaws, the Board is composed of at least seven and at most eleven voting members. The Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America in Brasília, or his or her duly authorized representative, is automatically a non-voting member of the Board of Directors. At least 50 percent of the Board must be citizens of the United States of America. Two members must be Brazilian citizens. The remaining members are chosen to reflect the diversity of the EAB community. With the exception of the United States of America, no more than two members may be of the same nationality. At least half of all Board members will be EAB current parents.

The Board of Directors is a self-perpetuating board. Each year, the Governance Committee submits a list of suggested and rank ordered candidates to fill vacated spots. Board members will vote and appoint new members after hearing the Governance Committee’s recommendations. The Governance Committee, drawing as widely as possible from the community, collects nominations with an aim to achieve a Board that reflects the goal of cultivating citizenship and valuing diversity by ensuring that the Board of Directors represents diversity of gender, ethnic background, nationality, and professional background.

Individual members serve on the Board for a period of two years. Members may be reinvited by the existing Board no more than three times, for a period of two years for each re-election. The term limit established is eight years. Board Members strive to stagger terms such that approximately one-quarter of the board will rotate every year. Terms will begin and end at the end of the school year, on the date of the annual General Assembly of the Association.

How does EAB achieve an effective board?

The school board actively seeks individuals who embody the essential qualities necessary for effective board membership, including:

Long-term perspective and fiduciary responsibility: Board members should possess the ability to consider the school's long-term goals and act in its best interests.
Absence of personal agenda: It is important for board members to prioritize the school's objectives over personal interests or agendas.
High ethical standards: Upholding a strong sense of ethics and integrity is crucial for board members in maintaining trust and accountability.
Teamwork and collaboration: Board members should be adept at working collaboratively as part of a team, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a positive group dynamic.
Dedication to the mission, vision, and strategic direction: A strong commitment to the school's mission, vision, and strategic goals is essential for effective board members.
Effective communication skills: Board members should possess good communication skills, both in expressing their ideas and actively listening to others.
Sensitivity to the diverse community: Recognizing and understanding the needs and concerns of EAB's diverse community is important when engaging in board activities.

These attributes collectively contribute to the overall effectiveness and success of the school board.

Who interacts with the Board?

Meet the School Board

Anna More

Anna More

Board President

Anna More is a professor of literature whose research focuses on Latin American cultural and social relations. She currently teaches at the Universidade de Brasília and previously was a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Anna is originally from Providence, Rhode Island but grew up in Washington D.C. She holds a B.A. in History and Literature (Harvard University) and a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures (UC Berkeley). She is the mother of Clarice (grade 11) and Olivia (grade 5) at EAB.. Anna has a strong interest in the pathways from K-12 to higher education and in debates on the humanities as a tool for global understanding.

Meredith Rubin

Meredith Rubin

Board Vice-President

Meredith Rubin is a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, currently serving as the Deputy Economic Counselor at U.S. Mission Brazil. She has served previous assignments in Iceland, Kosovo, Uzbekistan and Washington, DC. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Meredith worked for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and taught English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine. Meredith holds a M.A. in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University and a B.A. in Government and Russian Studies from the University of Notre Dame. She currently lives in Brasilia with her husband and two children.

Paola Babos

Paola Babos

Board Secretary

Paola arrived in Brasilia in January 2019. She is an Italian national currently serving as UNICEF Deputy Representative for Brazil and the mother of Arturo, who is in the lower school at EAB. She previously worked with UNICEF in Burkina Faso and Senegal, with the UN Secretariat in New York, and with the OECD and other UN agencies in the Balkans. Paola is passionate about the role of education in activating leadership for an equitable, sustainable future. She holds an IB from the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West, a BSc in Government and Economics from the London School of Economics, and an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago.

Márcio Queiroz

Márcio Queiroz

Board Treasurer

Márcio Queiroz was born in Brasília. He is married to Fernanda Queiroz and they have four children at EAB, Ana Carolina, Maria Fernanda, Maria Sophia and Márcio Henrique. He graduated in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in 2003 and has been acting in this area since then. Márcio has an executive MBA and joined a Board Member Development Program, both by Fundação Dom Cabral. He likes to swim and also practices triathlon in his spare time, but his real passion is a good barbecue.

João Victor Mokdissi

João Victor Mokdissi

João Victor Mokdissi was born and raised in Brasilia and attended the American School of Brasilia from preschool to high school graduation. As a student at EAB, João Victor was involved in student government, Model United Nations, Entrepreneurship Club, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, and volleyball. João Victor currently works at Grupo Carlton, a real estate investment company. Prior to that, João Victor lived in New York City and worked at J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking Division doing mergers and acquisitions. João Victor has a Bachelor of Sciences in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate from The Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania.

Márcia Farias

Márcia Farias

Marcia Farias is a retired Prosecutor at the Tribunal de Contas do DF, where she was Chief Prosecutor for five two-year terms. She holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Brasilia-UnB, and a Master of Law degree from the University of Pernambuco-UFPe. Marcia was a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow (2005/2006) at Boston University. In her year in the USA, she held professional affiliations with HUD-Region 1 and EPA-Region 1, as well as with the Planning Department of the City of Newton, MA. Marcia is an EAB alumna (Class 83), and her three children attended EAB (Classes of 2010, 2014, and 2016). She is currently an Independent Educational Consultant-IEC member of the Higher Education Consultants Association-HECA.

Manuel Wally

Manuel Wally

Dr. Manuel Wally has over 15 years of professional experience in civil society, democratic accountability and elections in over 50 countries across six continents. Wally has authored methodological studies for the European Union (EU) Parliament and other EU institutions, and he has served as the lead author of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance handbook on International Obligations for Elections.

Wally’s professional experience includes drafting election provisions in constitutions; election and political party legislation and regulations; drafting and conducting comparative analysis of constitutional and legal frameworks for elections; and providing technical electoral assistance in project formulation,
evaluation and execution.

Wally has been engaged by a wide range of democracy and governance organizations, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the African Union, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Democracy Reporting International, The Carter Center, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, the United Nations (UN) Development Programme, UN Women, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, the Max Planck Foundation and the Venice Commission. Wally is fluent in six languages and holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of London and a master’s degree and doctorate in social sciences from the University of Salzburg.

Julie Williams

Julie Williams

Julie Williams is a graduate of Xavier University (Ohio) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English Literature, and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in
Nursing at the University of Louisville. Julie is a Registered Nurse with over 18 years of
experience ranging from adult Intensive Care Units in Level I trauma centers to caring for our most precious assets as a school nurse in the southern Maryland school district. Julie is a proud military spouse to a military service member. But most importantly, she prides herself as the mother of five bright and amazing children whom all attend EAB and span all three school levels.
As a registered nurse, Julie has dedicated her career to caring and supporting those in need.
She is an advocate and voice for her patients, especially those that may feel overlooked and often underrepresented. As a school nurse, Julie was able to have the unique perspective from being placed inside of schools and seeing the challenges that educators and administrators oftentimes experienced in order to provide stellar education to their students, as well as from
the perspective of a parent, and all the questions and concerns that are associated with parents wanting their child to have the best education possible. This outlook encouraged her to
volunteer and put her knowledge and skills to use and strive for a school environment of not
only optimal learning, but a community where everyone feels welcome, and their excellence is showcased. Julie has served as a member of the PTO stateside, as well as a PTO board member internationally, and is currently entering into her second term as a member of the EAB Board of Directors this school year.
In her free time, Julie loves to spend quality time with her family and friends. She enjoys
cooking, traveling, and watching movies during ‘family fun movie nights’.

David Bargueno

David Bargueno

David Bargueño is a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, currently serving as the “climate guy” (and Deputy Counselor for Environment, Science, Technology, and Health affairs) at U.S. Mission Brazil. His previous assignments include Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa, and Brazil (São Paulo). In Washington DC, he worked in the office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and the Secretary of State’s Office of Global Food Security. David earned degrees from Princeton (Bachelor’s) and Yale (Master’s). An avid runner, he lives in Brasilia with his husband, son, and two Rhodesian Ridgeback hounds.

Tracy Musacchio

Tracy Musacchio

Tracy Musacchio is a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and is currently service as the Deputy General Services Officer at the U.S Embassy. Her previous State Department assignments have been in Luanda, Angola; Manila, the Philippines; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tracy’s husband, Cesar, is from Sao Paulo. They have two children, a daughter who is in the Lower School and a son who will attend EAB beginning next year. Tracy is originally from the suburbs of Chicago and studied Egyptology at Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, Tracy is an avid knitter and sewist.

David Bergknut

David Bergknut

David Wallensteen Bergknut is from Sweden. He studied at Uppsala University in Sweden. His professional background is within Human Resource Management. He has worked for many different types of organizations, among them The Red Cross / Red Crecent movement in Sweden and Switzerland, Tetra Pak, AstraZeneca, Ericsson, Karolinska University Hospital and Swedish embassies. The family has lived in Ethiopia, and this is the second time in Brazil and Brasilia. The family consists of two teenagers at EAB, a wife working at the Swedish Embassy in Brasilia and one adopted Brazilian street dog.

Catherine Hamlin

Catherine Hamlin

Ms. Catherine Hamlin is the Environment Office Director in USAID/Brazil. A career Foreign Service Officer with 20 years of experience working in international development. In Brazil, she
oversees a $29 million annual budget environment portfolio that supports innovative solutions to advance biodiversity conservation,
safeguarding rights of traditional communities, and building a sustainable, standing forest economy in the Brazilian Amazon. Prior
to Brazil, she led food security and good governance programs in West Africa and Phillippines, including support electoral and constitutional strengthening in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Her
career included support for democracy and governance programming in El Salvador and Washington DC with USAID, as well as serving
five years in Angola, first managing monitoring and evaluation of agricultural cooperative and finance development activities in the
field, and then managing a range of projects with USAID/Angola that
spanned workforce development, environment, and economic
growth program. .She helped structure public-private alliances with
Chevron, ExxonMobil and Coca-Cola, as well as loan portfolio
guarantees with the Angolan financial sector.

Born and raised between Knoxville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia,
Ms. Hamlin holds a B.A. in Sociology from James Madison University, and a M.S. in Environmental Studies from Ohio University. She
speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and some French. Prior to joining USAID, Ms. Hamlin worked in social services (Native American boarding school in South Dakota, 4-H program in Georgia, Center for Immigrants and Refugees in Phoenix, Arizona) and environment and natural resource management (revegetation management in
Grand Canyon National Park, wildlife biology technician in Klamath National Forest, ecotourism guide in Costa Rica and Manaus, Brazil).

Board Minutes

Board Committees

Facilities Committee

The responsibilities of the Facilities Committee encompass policy-making and strategic planning related to the school's physical assets. This includes overseeing the construction, maintenance, and security of the school's facilities, as well as ensuring the safety of faculty, staff, and students. The committee also plays a vital role in developing a comprehensive long-term master plan for the efficient utilization and preservation of physical assets and resources.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee collaborates with the administration to develop the annual operating and capital budgets, as well as a long-range financial plan. This committee is responsible for closely monitoring all financial activities in greater detail compared to the board as a whole. Additionally, the Finance Committee plays a key role in establishing financial policies and presents relevant matters, along with regular financial reports, to the board for approval and informational purposes. Furthermore, the Finance Committee provides oversight for the investment advisory committee.

Audit Committee

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for the financial reporting process, the system of internal control, risk assessment and mitigation strategies, internal and external audit functions and compliance matters. Its responsibilities include reviewing and recommending approval of EAB’s annual audited financial statements to the Board. In addition, it is responsible every three years for evaluating and recommending an external auditor to the Board.

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is responsible for the institutional stability of the Board. The Governance Committee manages the process for recruitment and selection of new Board candidates seeking to ensure that, to the extent practical, prospective candidates reflect the diversity of the EAB community. The committee coordinates and supports orientation to incoming Board members. It identifies and disseminates opportunities for professional development opportunities for Board members. This includes coordinating with the Head of School and Board President on internal and external retreats. The committee reviews and updates the Board Policy Manual and governance-related documents (i.e., policies). In addition, the committee coordinates on the evaluations of the Board of Directors.