Ms. Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa has over 30 years of experience with UNESCO, UNICEF, and JICA across global, regional, and country levels. She currently serves as Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta and UNESCO Representative to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste, and Liaison to ASEAN. Prior to this, she was Director of the Division for Education 2030 at UNESCO Headquarters and Executive Secretary of the Transforming Education Summit Secretariat in 2022. She holds Master’s degrees in Educational Planning and Early Childhood Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.

Maria Carolina “Teacher Maricar” Gustilo De Ocampo is a distinguished education consultant, early childhood care and development specialist, teacher trainer, and college lecturer with over five decades of experience. An Assistant Professor at De La Salle University since 1996, she is also co-founder of Keys School Manila and a long-time consultant at the Makati Medical Center. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College, New York, and is completing her PhD in Educational Leadership and Management at De La Salle University. Widely respected as a mentor, speaker, and trainer, Teacher Maricar continues to shape early education and parenting through her deep expertise, research-based practice, and compassionate advocacy.

Mr. Ericson Perez is a seasoned educator and advocate with more than 25 years of leadership in inclusive education across the U.S.A., Kenya, and the Philippines. A graduate of Brown University and The George Washington University, he is a former U.S. National Board–certified teacher specializing in special education and an International Baccalaureate Special Educational Needs Workshop Leader in the Asia Pacific. As a founding board member and chair of the Special Education Network in Asia (SENIA), he has mentored youth with disabilities to become advocates and presenters in international conferences. Now serving as Head of School at The Vanguard Academy, he spearheads the Transcend Program, partnering with over 40 companies to provide training, internships, and employment for students and graduates with disabilities. Through his work, Mr. Perez continues to transform schools and communities into spaces where meaningful inclusion and equity are the norm.

Louie is an Associate Professor and the current Pedagogical Lead and Assistant Dean of the University of Santo Tomas College of Education. At present, he currently serves as the National Secretary of the Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines (BIOTA) National Governing Board and an Associate Member of the National Research Council of the Philippines. His research interests involve curriculum development and

implementation, teacher agency in curriculum making, and STEM Education. Louie was involved with several research and development programs with IDEO Shanghai and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Department of Education Pasig and the Pasig Local Government Unit, PS Bank, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute, Philippine Business for Education, and Philippine Institute for Development Studies. At present, he leads research projects under the Research Initiatives in Teacher Education funded by the Teacher Education Council in support of The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2).

Rinoa Chill V. Garcia is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. A consistent Dean’s Lister and recipient of the Gawad Dunong Award, she demonstrates both academic excellence and a strong passion for teaching young children. She has held multiple leadership roles, including President and Auditor of the Elementary Education Society, and has served as Overall Chairperson and Project Head for significant academic and community events. With experience as a Teacher Aide at Goodstart Progressive Preschool and active involvement in various seminars on child development and pedagogy, Rinoa continues to cultivate her skills in communication, leadership, and instructional material development, all geared toward supporting children’s holistic growth.

Mr. Noeneil R. Villanueva is a dedicated Special Education professional with extensive experience in teaching, interpreting, and educational leadership. He is currently serving as a Special Education Teacher II at the Department of Education, Philippine School for the Deaf, since 2019, and has been a Registered Interpreter for the Deaf with the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf since 2020.

His teaching journey also includes a role as a Part-Time Instructor II at the University of Santo Tomas, College of Education, from 2021 to 2023, and a Part-Time Lecturer at Great Plebian College, Alaminos, from 2020 to 2021. He has contributed significantly to the field of Special Education at institutions like Kolbe International Academy and Linden Tree Institute Inc., where he served as a Special Education Teacher from 2012-2013 and again from 2015-2019. Additionally, Mr. Villanueva held a leadership position as the Special Educational Needs Focal Person (Coordinator) at United International Private School in Dubai from 2013 to 2015.

Mr. Villanueva holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Major in Special Education, from the University of Santo Tomas, completed in 2012. He further enhanced his expertise by earning a Master of Arts in Education, Major in Special Education, from De La Salle University - Manila in 2020. His comprehensive background in Special Education, coupled with his commitment to supporting the needs of students with diverse learning abilities, highlights his passion for fostering inclusive learning environments.