LIS Leadership Team
Bridget Davies is excited to be arriving in Angola as Director of LIS. She grew up in UK and started her career as a French and Spanish teacher. Bridget has worked in teacher and leadership roles in the UK, Rwanda, Sudan and Egypt. She believes the foundation for a successful educational community is a trusting environment where students have voice and agency. Outside school Bridget loves swimming and the beach.
Juan Sheblak has 18 years of experience in education, complemented by roles in the private and government sectors. He has led in schools in Vietnam, South Korea, and South Africa, focusing on student-centred learning, equity, and inclusion. He holds multiple postgraduate degrees and is completing his EdD at William & Mary, USA. In his free time, he enjoys travelling, photography, and exploring new cultures.
Christelle Lonez believes that learning happens when children feel involved and included within a community of learners, a vision already well in place at LIS. She has taught and held various leadership roles in IB schools in the USA, Saudi Arabia, Malawi and Switzerland before joining LIS in August 2024. Christelle loves the outdoors, hiking and enjoying natural wonders.
Kareen Laplanche is joining LIS as the Principal of Business and Finance. She brings 17 years of experience supporting international schools, with a focus on financial sustainability, risk management, and student-centered operations. She values aligning resources and processes with the school’s mission, helping create a stable and innovative environment for learning. Originally from Haiti, Kareen has lived and worked in the DRC, Haiti, and the US. She enjoys nature walks, playing tennis, and exploring new cuisines.
Sheila Bandeira is an experienced professional with over 20 years in Law, Administration, and Human Resources across public and private institutions. She holds a Law degree with a specialization in Human Resources and believes HR goes beyond processes—valuing people for who they truly are and supporting their growth. In schools, she is committed to fostering motivated professionals guided by strong values, knowing they are the foundation of a thriving learning community.
Mila Barradas has been part of the LIS team for 19 years as Executive Administrator and Deputy Leader for Safeguarding and Child Protection. She holds a degree in Business Management and has over 25 years of experience in Accounting, Finance, and Administration. Known for her responsibility and professional ethics, she believes that protecting children’s well-being is key to building a just and sustainable society. In her free time, she enjoys landscaping and outdoor sports.
Born in Russia and raised in Australia, Dan Egorov worked in international schools in Germany, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkey before arriving in Luanda. He successfully led technology departments over the past eleven years. A Council of International Schools accreditor, Dan is an advocate of using technology to empower both students and teachers, enhance learning and streamline systems. Outside of work, he enjoys music, tasting new foods and exploring new cultures with his family.
Jonah believes that every student has the ability and right to learn; that students learn best in a caring and supportive community. As the supervisor of the Secondary Well-being Programme, Jonah actively seeks student voice in creating a positive school culture. Jonah practices stepping out of his own comfort zone at least twice per week as the assistant coach of the LIS Lions JV soccer team.
Susana Pinheiro is the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator at LIS, bringing extensive experience as an educator and a deep commitment to the IB philosophy. Beginning her journey at LIS in 2017 as a Language and Literature teacher, Susana has excelled in guiding students through the MYP and DP Language & Literature and Language Acquisition courses. She believes in education as a lifelong mission and is dedicated to preparing students for both university and life beyond LIS.
Cathy McCann is originally from Scotland but has been teaching internationally for over 20 years. This has taken her to schools in Botswana, Spain, Portugal and Hong Kong before joining LIS in 2013. She is an MYP and DP visual art teacher and was the Leader of Learning for the Arts before becoming the MYP coordinator at LIS. She is passionate about creativity, enjoys inquiry, encourages student leadership, loves outdoor education and being part of the LIS community. Her 3 children have also attended IB world school.
Pieter is from South Africa and joined the LIS community in 2022 after teaching in Taiwan and Thailand for 10 years, 6 of which were in a leadership capacity. He was fortunate enough to have worked in various curriculums ranging from extremely robust to highly inquiry-based. He is passionate about working with children and cultivating a love of learning while emphasizing the importance of community building and inclusiveness.
Darwin joins LIS as PYP Coordinator, bringing experience from international schools in the Philippines, Indonesia, Sudan, and Macao. He has served as PYP Coordinator in three schools and is part of the IB Educators Network. Passionate about student-centered learning and collaborative growth, Darwin believes in putting students first, last, and always while building strong, connected learning communities.
Ali says he is fortunate to be starting my 15th year at LIS and have had the opportunity to wear many hats during his time with us. This is his second year as Cocurricular Coordinator and he looks forward to supporting students and teachers in providing a diverse and balanced array of experiences for students to engage in. Previously, he taught in Vietnam and Canada before calling Angola home. He joined here at LIS with his wife Mrs. Alysha and two children Sarafina and Matteo.