Our Local Board

Kim Davis

Board Chair

Kim is originally from Sydney, Australia and has taught in International schools for over 30 years. Kim began her education career as a mathematics and science teacher before moving into student support. She has a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Kim previously worked at Canadian Academy in Japan and has also worked at international schools in Fiji, UK, Botswana, Czech Republic and Luxembourg. She is passionate in working with school communities to create inclusive learning environments for all students.

Vacant - Secretary

Job description

Supports Chair(s) in orientation of new members, creating meeting agenda, and ensuring chapter bylaws are updated and followed.

Responsible for internal board governance documentation , including annual workplan documentation, evaluations and and minutes

If interested, contact us with your CV, and share why you’d be great in the role.e-mail: vietnam@seniainternational.org

Morgan Dobroski

Social Media & Communication Officer

Morgan is a neurodivergent teacher who is currently working as a High School Learning Support Teacher in Hanoi. She has taught in America and Thailand before moving to Vietnam. Morgan has a Master's Degree in Special Education and is passionate about inclusion and being an advocate for neurodiverse students. When Morgan is not in the classroom, she loves exploring national parks and searching for wildlife.

Francis Saez

Social Media & Communication Officer

Francis Saez, a passionate advocate for inclusive education with over 17 years of experience as a Special Educator/Learning Support Teacher in Manila, Singapore, California, Japan, and now Vietnam. A dedicated husband and father, Francis has been a devoted member of SENIA since his Manila days and proudly served as a board member in SENIA Japan. He's committed to shaping a world where inclusion is a way of life, ensuring every child receives the education they deserve

Christine boswell

Event Coordinator (Hanoi)

Christine is the current secondary learning support coordinator at the British international school, Hanoi. She is a qualified teacher and has her bachelor's degree in sports marketing and management.

Christine has a passion for working with neurodiverse students and helping others understand why inclusive education is so important.

She moved to Hanoi, from South Africa, two years ago and loves traveling and exploring all that Vietnam and Asia have to offer.

Melanie Casul

Events Coordinator (HCMC)

Melanie works at RMIT Vietnam as an Equitable Learning Services Advisor, Wellbeing - Office of the Executive Dean. Our team provides support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness, and/or mental health conditions and primary carers of individuals with a disability. I have more than 25 years of experience as a lecturer, learning & development professional, communications specialist, and multi-media producer/ content creator. I have worked in companies that have given me experience working in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and Sweden. I have called Vietnam my second home since 2008."

Jenn Szwarc

Membership Coordinator (Hanoi)

Jenn was born and raised in southern California, USA. She has been working as a special educator for the last ten years in San Diego, California, Thailand, Romania and Vietnam. Jenn is passionate about diverse learners and inclusive education, and feels incredibly lucky to be part of this community to learn, educate and spread awareness.

Elena Cistoldi
Membership Coordinator (HCMC)

Elena Cistoldi currently serves at ISHCMC Vietnam as Learning Support Coordinator. Elena is originally from Italy but, since 1998, she worked towards inclusive practices and individualized learning journeys around the world including England, Portugal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam. Over the past 15 years, Elena has led multi-cultural teams towards the development of student support programmes within the IB curriculum frameworks and modified curriculum programmes.

Elena is a passionate educator who believes that all students can achieve at their very highest level, when they are engaged in meaningful and appropriate learning experiences and all teachers can be effective facilitators when they share good practice and learn from each other.

Elena holds a Masters of Education in Diversity and Inclusion, a Master of Science in Marine Environmental Protection, a Bachelors Degree In Natural Sciences. Her passion for science helped Elena to pursue a lifelong journey of inquiry into best practices and a solution oriented approach to challenges.

Ton van der velden

Hanoi Community Rep (English)

Ton is from the Netherlands. He earned a BA in Psychology from Tilburg

University, an MD from Erasmus University and an MPH from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

He has over 30 years of INGO experience in working on health system strengthening in Asia, including Việt Nam , Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan. Ton is currently a Director of Hibiscus Health Holdings (HHH) based in Singapore, and the Director of two home nursing care agencies in Việt Nam.

Atsuko Chiba

Hanoi Community Rep (Japanese)

Originally from Japan. Atsuko lives in Hanoi with her husband and a son. She has been working in various educational settings around the globe. Currently, she serves the Japanese community in Hanoi as a family consultant and a therapist. Her passion is to raise awareness about neurodiversity and to bring support and empowerment to families and educators in the community. Atsuko obtained several degrees and certificates while raising her neurodivergent child. Her educational background includes a BA in Middle/High School Science Education/Environmental Conservation Education from the University of Northern Iowa, USA, and an MA in International Education from the University of Sussex, UK. She is also a certified child developmental supporter and Social Skill Training Specialist, Safe and Sound Protocol™ , and DIRFloortime®Therapist, and Common Sense Parent® (CSP) trainer.

Anh Vu

Vietnamese Teacher Representative

Anh Vu was born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam and is currently working as ES counselor at St. Mary’s International School. She holds a degree in School Psychology from Hanoi National University of Education and has worked as both a school psychologist and teacher at multiple school settings. Her passion is to spread kindness and compassion within the community, and to help local teachers and practitioners access the resources they need. She is especially interested in neurodiversity and how to create more safe and inclusive spaces for children. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, photography, and writing about the small joys of working with kids.

Inger Kristin Kroken

Application Manager

Inger has 10+ years experience working with Digital Media as a Web Consultant/Application Manager. She has two daughters and has been living in Hanoi from 2019-2023 and now lives in Singapore. Inger is passionate about learning more about neurodiversity and is excited to volunteer her technical expertise to support a great organisation. Inger enjoys traveling, hiking and running.

Thanks to former board members

SENIA VN would not be possible without its volunteer board members.

Since being established in 2019, these emeritus members devoted many hours in service to accomplishing our goals. We thank them!

Sarah Devotion Garner (Board Chair), Dana Ashley Sherwood (Secretary), Vicki Gardner (co-chair), Lindsey Tate (co-chair), Ian Young (co-chair), Mike Beard, Michael Hayes, Zandri Byleveldt, Morgan Newcomb, Teresa Winterstein, Miggie Shum, Trang Nguyen, Antonia Bell, Chloe Sutcliffe, Amy French, Sarah Battersby, Dylan Meikle, Catherine DiLeo, Lewis McLean, Nick Wilding, Katie Nolan, Thao Anh Ngo, & Nguyen Lam, Khuyen Luu. Shyla Stuar, NGa Huynh

On behalf of the SENIA Vietnam community, we send them our appreciation for their years of dedication and service.

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