OSC is registered as a guarantee company and operates as a nonprofit independent school based on the OSC Mission and Vision. Any revenues that exceed expenses are reinvested to improve the quality of education for OSC students.
Parents of every current full fee-paying student are members of the company and are invited to attend and vote at an annual general meeting each year.
OSC is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected from among the full fee-paying parents. The Head of School is a non-voting member of the Board.
The Board’s main responsibilities are to:
- Hire, support, and evaluate the Head of School, who serves as the chief executive officer of OSC
- Provide long-term strategic direction for OSC as an internationally accredited school
- Ensure long-term sustainability of OSC finances and facilities
The board’s role is not to run day-to-day school operations, mediate parent-teacher conflicts, address student behavior issues, decide on cafeteria menus, or create educational curricula. If you approach a board member with these types of concerns, we will generally refer you to our school’s professional faculty or administrators. The board’s focus is on long-term strategic goals.’
School Board Members for 2020 – 21
Mr. Ari Nathan (Board Chair)
Ari is an American citizen and parent of two children at OSC currently working at the U.S. Embassy. Prior to joining the State Department, he worked for the United Nations in a regional seas program, and as legal counsel for the pacific island nation of Palau. Ari has a law degree and a PhD in international relations. Ari brings to the board almost four years on the school board at the Lincoln School in Kathmandu — during which time the school completely upgraded its infrastructure, significantly modernized its governance policies, and choose a new head of school. He appreciates that serving on a school board is a great privilege that allows one to support the children of the OSC community in reaching their full potential. Moving forward, he looks to work to ensure that: OSC continues to provide an outstanding international education, that OSC’s physical infrastructure is upgraded, and that OSC’s governance structure and practice is fully aligned with parents’ needs and concerns.
Mr. Rahul Bhan
Rahul Bhan and his wife Nidhi are parents of two children, both are students at OSC. He moved to Sri Lanka in 2016 and joined the OSC board in 2019. Rahul is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAI-India), holds an MBA (University Nyenrode – Netherlands), and is a Certified Internal Auditor (IIA-USA). Rahul serves as Director – Internal Audit for seven international diplomatic agricultural research organisations (donor driven, non-profit, scientific research organisations) i.e. WorldFish – Malaysia, IRRI – Philippines, IWMI – Sri Lanka, WorldVeg – Taiwan, AfricaRice – Ivory Coast, World Agroforestry (ICRAF) – Kenya and CIFOR – Indonesia. These organisations contribute strongly to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are funded by World Bank, USAID, European Union, DFID, ADB, AfDB, Governments of various countries and other International donors e.g. Gates Foundation. Rahul has lived in and travelled to over 50 countries including Netherlands, South Africa, Kuwait, UAE, and India.
Ms. Tiia Juhkam
Tiia Juhkam is an Estonian citizen. She joined the Board in September 2020. Tiia is married with three kids, the youngest is attending OSC. Tiia is a certified IB PYP Early Years teacher and she has worked at international schools in Bangkok and Dhaka. Also, Tiia has broad experience working with not-for-profit and non-governmental educational organizations in Estonia as a project leader and manager. She has served as a board member of the Adult Education Association of Estonia (EVHL). Before moving to Colombo in October 2019, Tiia worked as an Executive Assistant to the Consul General of the Republic of Estonia in New York.
Mr. Jelmer Kuyvenhoven
Jelmer is a Dutch citizen and moved to Colombo in 2019 with his wife and two children who are at OSC. Jelmer has been active in the telecommunication industry since the start of his working career. He has worked for various telecommunication companies in Europe and West Africa for 20 years. He serves on the board of the Lideke Wery Educational Institute and has been active as a consultant on telecommunication after arriving in Colombo. He has a master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Twente University in the Netherlands. He is also an active field hockey and squash player.
Ms. Aishath Lu-u-lua Hassan
Aisha is a Maldivian citizen and parent of two children at OSC currently working as an independent director on the Board of Maldives Pension Administration Office. A co-founder of Avahteri Gallery, a social business promoting art & culture, Aishath previously served a 5-year term on the Board of Maldives Inland Revenue Authority, was a Manager at CARE Ratings Maldives Branch, and has also worked for the Maldives Stock Exchange and Security Depository. Aisha holds a BA (Hons) Business Management from the University of Westminster, UK. Aishath brings to the board a strong understanding of the work of the board and its committees, gained from previous experiences in governing nonprofit-independent institutions, formulating strategic policies, appointing and evaluating top international expertise, appraising organizational resources and adhering to ethical and legal requirements. She looks to support the board’s work in ensuring that OSC delivers excellence in education for students from a diverse set of countries and backgrounds.
Mr. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar is Sri Lankan citizen and the parent of two children at OSC currently working as: Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals; a regular broadcaster for SKY Sports and STAR Sports; a member of the National Sports Council in Sri Lanka, of the Sri Lanka Cricket technical Advisory Committee, and of the influential World Cricket Committee for over a decade; the appointed player’s representative on the ICC Cricket Committee; Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, Colours of Courage, Ayati and British Asian Trust; and as Co-Founder of the Ministry of Crab and an active board member for several companies. Kumar is a former international cricketer who played 594 matches for Sri Lanka and was national captain from 2009 to 2011. Kumar brings to the board leadership and strategic decision-making skills under pressure with experience being on boards and being a principal member of the main committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club. His career has given him an insight into how to successfully manage and navigate environments of diverse interests and diverse individuals. He looks to ensure shareholder trust by encouraging and creating a board culture of openness, transparency and accountability that puts in place strong and positive governing processes and the discharge of Board responsibilities and duty to enhance the educational experience of students and the engagement of the parent body.
Mr. Stephen Wilson
Steve is a South African citizen and the parent of two children at OSC currently working as Senior Vice President Human Resources at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. Having worked in human resources and talent development for over, 30 years with people from various cultures and nationalities, Steve has a well-developed ability to understand people, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they can best fit into a work environment. Steve brings to the board a skillset in human resources, labor relations, talent acquisition, and learning and development. He looks to contribute to the needs of our OSC families and students by helping ensure that families’ investments in OSC provide a top-tier quality of education and facilities, and that International values of education and standards of teaching and curriculum choices are achieved.
Ms. Aminath Zahir
Aminath is a Maldivian citizen and the parent of a child at OSC who is actively involved in the School Community Network, working as Treasurer since 2017. Aminath has worked in a family-owned businesses in Maldives and Sri Lanka and in the Maldives Monetary Authority with responsibilities in the areas of Bank Supervision and Public Debt. Aminath holds a Bachelor Degree in Business from Monash University, Australia and a Master of Commerce Degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Aminath brings to the board a financial background and international experience helping her understand the OSC’s focus on unity in diversity. She looks to support the board in prioritizing the needs and interests of our student environment to ensure that OSC functions effectively and efficiently in achieving our shared vision.
Dr. Michelle Kleiss (Head of School)
A Dutch/Canadian national, Dr. Michelle Kleiss has built an international school career for the past 27 years. She started her Headship at OSC in July 2019, after 10 years as Head of School in Cyprus – another CIS/MSA and IB authorised school. Prior to Cyprus, she was a Head of School in Saudi Arabia, and an Early Childhood Principal as well as Middle School Principal in Cairo – Egypt. She has worked as a classroom teacher in Munich – Germany, in São Paulo – Brazil, and in the Dominican Republic. She has an Undergraduate Degree in Education from The American University in Washington D.C. – USA, a Master’s Degree in Education in School Administration and Instructional Supervision from Bowie State University, Maryland – USA, and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania – USA.
Mr. Ari Nathan (Board Chair)
Ari is an American citizen and parent of two children at OSC currently working at the U.S. Embassy. Prior to joining the State Department, he worked for the United Nations in a regional seas program, and as legal counsel for the pacific island nation of Palau. Ari has a law degree and a PhD in international relations. Ari brings to the board almost four years on the school board at the Lincoln School in Kathmandu — during which time the school completely upgraded its infrastructure, significantly modernized its governance policies, and choose a new head of school. He appreciates that serving on a school board is a great privilege that allows one to support the children of the OSC community in reaching their full potential. Moving forward, he looks to work to ensure that: OSC continues to provide an outstanding international education, that OSC’s physical infrastructure is upgraded, and that OSC’s governance structure and practice is fully aligned with parents’ needs and concerns.
Mr. Rahul Bhan
Rahul Bhan and his wife Nidhi are parents of two children, both are students at OSC. He moved to Sri Lanka in 2016 and joined the OSC board in 2019. Rahul is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAI-India), holds an MBA (University Nyenrode – Netherlands), and is a Certified Internal Auditor (IIA-USA). Rahul serves as Director – Internal Audit for seven international diplomatic agricultural research organisations (donor driven, non-profit, scientific research organisations) i.e. WorldFish – Malaysia, IRRI – Philippines, IWMI – Sri Lanka, WorldVeg – Taiwan, AfricaRice – Ivory Coast, World Agroforestry (ICRAF) – Kenya and CIFOR – Indonesia. These organisations contribute strongly to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are funded by World Bank, USAID, European Union, DFID, ADB, AfDB, Governments of various countries and other International donors e.g. Gates Foundation. Rahul has lived in and travelled to over 50 countries including Netherlands, South Africa, Kuwait, UAE, and India.
Ms. Tiia Juhkam
Tiia Juhkam is an Estonian citizen. She joined the Board in September 2020. Tiia is married with three kids, the youngest is attending OSC. Tiia is a certified IB PYP Early Years teacher and she has worked at international schools in Bangkok and Dhaka. Also, Tiia has broad experience working with not-for-profit and non-governmental educational organizations in Estonia as a project leader and manager. She has served as a board member of the Adult Education Association of Estonia (EVHL). Before moving to Colombo in October 2019, Tiia worked as an Executive Assistant to the Consul General of the Republic of Estonia in New York.
Mr. Jelmer Kuyvenhoven
Jelmer is a Dutch citizen and moved to Colombo in 2019 with his wife and two children who are at OSC. Jelmer has been active in the telecommunication industry since the start of his working career. He has worked for various telecommunication companies in Europe and West Africa for 20 years. He serves on the board of the Lideke Wery Educational Institute and has been active as a consultant on telecommunication after arriving in Colombo. He has a master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Twente University in the Netherlands. He is also an active field hockey and squash player.
Ms. Aishath Lu-u-lua Hassan
Aisha is a Maldivian citizen and parent of two children at OSC currently working as an independent director on the Board of Maldives Pension Administration Office. A co-founder of Avahteri Gallery, a social business promoting art & culture, Aishath previously served a 5-year term on the Board of Maldives Inland Revenue Authority, was a Manager at CARE Ratings Maldives Branch, and has also worked for the Maldives Stock Exchange and Security Depository. Aisha holds a BA (Hons) Business Management from the University of Westminster, UK. Aishath brings to the board a strong understanding of the work of the board and its committees, gained from previous experiences in governing nonprofit-independent institutions, formulating strategic policies, appointing and evaluating top international expertise, appraising organizational resources and adhering to ethical and legal requirements. She looks to support the board’s work in ensuring that OSC delivers excellence in education for students from a diverse set of countries and backgrounds.
Mr. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar is Sri Lankan citizen and the parent of two children at OSC currently working as: Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals; a regular broadcaster for SKY Sports and STAR Sports; a member of the National Sports Council in Sri Lanka, of the Sri Lanka Cricket technical Advisory Committee, and of the influential World Cricket Committee for over a decade; the appointed player’s representative on the ICC Cricket Committee; Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, Colours of Courage, Ayati and British Asian Trust; and as Co-Founder of the Ministry of Crab and an active board member for several companies. Kumar is a former international cricketer who played 594 matches for Sri Lanka and was national captain from 2009 to 2011. Kumar brings to the board leadership and strategic decision-making skills under pressure with experience being on boards and being a principal member of the main committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club. His career has given him an insight into how to successfully manage and navigate environments of diverse interests and diverse individuals. He looks to ensure shareholder trust by encouraging and creating a board culture of openness, transparency and accountability that puts in place strong and positive governing processes and the discharge of Board responsibilities and duty to enhance the educational experience of students and the engagement of the parent body.
Mr. Stephen Wilson
Steve is a South African citizen and the parent of two children at OSC currently working as Senior Vice President Human Resources at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. Having worked in human resources and talent development for over, 30 years with people from various cultures and nationalities, Steve has a well-developed ability to understand people, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they can best fit into a work environment. Steve brings to the board a skillset in human resources, labor relations, talent acquisition, and learning and development. He looks to contribute to the needs of our OSC families and students by helping ensure that families’ investments in OSC provide a top-tier quality of education and facilities, and that International values of education and standards of teaching and curriculum choices are achieved.
Ms. Aminath Zahir
Aminath is a Maldivian citizen and the parent of a child at OSC who is actively involved in the School Community Network, working as Treasurer since 2017. Aminath has worked in a family-owned businesses in Maldives and Sri Lanka and in the Maldives Monetary Authority with responsibilities in the areas of Bank Supervision and Public Debt. Aminath holds a Bachelor Degree in Business from Monash University, Australia and a Master of Commerce Degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Aminath brings to the board a financial background and international experience helping her understand the OSC’s focus on unity in diversity. She looks to support the board in prioritizing the needs and interests of our student environment to ensure that OSC functions effectively and efficiently in achieving our shared vision.
Dr. Michelle Kleiss (Head of School)
A Dutch/Canadian national, Dr. Michelle Kleiss has built an international school career for the past 27 years. She started her Headship at OSC in July 2019, after 10 years as Head of School in Cyprus – another CIS/MSA and IB authorised school. Prior to Cyprus, she was a Head of School in Saudi Arabia, and an Early Childhood Principal as well as Middle School Principal in Cairo – Egypt. She has worked as a classroom teacher in Munich – Germany, in São Paulo – Brazil, and in the Dominican Republic. She has an Undergraduate Degree in Education from The American University in Washington D.C. – USA, a Master’s Degree in Education in School Administration and Instructional Supervision from Bowie State University, Maryland – USA, and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania – USA.