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OpenApply Admissions Conference "Empathy Elevates Education"

Hosted at TASIS Portugal
Estrada Nacional No 9 Quinta da Beloura II, 2710-697 Sintra, Portugal
Friday, April 25
 

8:00am WEST

Shuttle: from Legacy Hotel to TASIS FILLING
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:20am WEST
We have scheduled a shuttle between Legacy Hotel Cascais and TASIS. Feel free to sign up for the shuttle even if you are not staying at the hotel.

One of our team member will meet you at the lobby and take everyone to the bus. Please make sure to be on time.
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:20am WEST
Legacy Hotel Cascais, Curio Collection by Hilton Av. 25 de Abril 528, 2750-511 Cascais, Portugal

8:20am WEST

Morning Tea & Registration FILLING
Friday April 25, 2025 8:20am - 8:45am WEST
Pick up your badge and meet us in the Gallery with some tea and coffee before we start the day!
Friday April 25, 2025 8:20am - 8:45am WEST
TASIS Gallery

8:45am WEST

Welcome Remarks
Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
TASIS Gallery

9:10am WEST

SOUL: What Does Empathy Mean to You?
Friday April 25, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
Empathy is a core ingredient in successful stakeholder engagement in a school.

Discover how we can leverage empathy, happiness, passion, transparency, and transformation to craft powerful stories that resonate with our school communities. Storytelling is integral to marketing/enrollment/admissions but how can we then celebrate these stories and strategize to foster the success of our students equitably?

In terms of ‘inclusivity’ ‘pluralism’ ‘diversity’ - what are we doing to build classrooms that ought to be representative of a wider audience and not only those who can afford our schools? Similarly, do we have a voice (as Admissions folk) at the big table? Diversity isn’t just for the student body but also within the decision-making level at a school. Admissions is an important voice.

This session will include insights, gained from working with students, staff, parents, and alumni/donors on

Establishing a strategic approach towards enrolment, with one important ingredient, 'SOUL'.
Practical tips for enhancing stakeholder engagement through storytelling.
Speakers
avatar for Arjun Puri

Arjun Puri

Dean of Admissions, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Arjun Puri was born and raised in Kolkata and schooled at the prestigious La Martiniere for Boys, where he was appointed the 167th school captain in 2002-03. He graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 and worked with Merrill Lynch International Bank in London for nearly... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
Theater

10:00am WEST

Coffee Break
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am WEST
TASIS Gallery

10:15am WEST

Host School Story – TASIS Portugal
Friday April 25, 2025 10:15am - 11:05am WEST
Founded in 2020, TASIS Portugal is the newest member of the TASIS family of schools joining three renowned schools in Switzerland, England, and Puerto Rico. Amazingly, next year TASIS Portugal will be the largest TASIS school enrolling over 960 students. Learn about the transformation of a former commercial center (shopping mall), the silver lining presented by opening in a pandemic, and how integral a modern enrollment management team is to success. Partners like OpenApply –with us from day one—also play a key role in sustaining/growing enrollment.
Speakers
avatar for Aimee Gruber

Aimee Gruber

Head of Enrollment Management & Marketing, TASIS Portugal
Aimee has spent the past three decades honing her skills in admission and related fields, first as a director of admission and financial aid at boarding and day schools in the United States, and then working for nonprofit educational associations: The Enrollment Management Association... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 10:15am - 11:05am WEST
Theater

11:05am WEST

Short Break
Friday April 25, 2025 11:05am - 11:10am WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 11:05am - 11:10am WEST
TASIS Gallery

11:10am WEST

Building Connections: Empathy and Belonging in International School Admissions
Friday April 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm WEST
At Villiers School, empathy and belonging are at the heart of our international admissions process. We understand the importance of connecting with families from diverse backgrounds and ensure that every applicant feels heard and valued. Our admissions approach goes beyond forms and interviews, focusing on building meaningful relationships that reflect our commitment to fostering belonging. By embracing each student’s unique cultural perspective, we create a supportive environment where all students feel they truly belong. This empathy-driven approach ensures that every student, from the moment they apply, is welcomed into the Villiers School community with care and understanding.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Peña

Susan Peña

Admissions & Communications Manager / EDI Lead, Villiers School, Limerick Ireland
Susan Peña (she/her) is the Admissions, Marketing & Communications Manager at VilliersSchool.Susan is an Alumna of Villiers School and holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Commercefrom the National University of Ireland, Galway, as well as an International Diploma fromShannon... Read More →
avatar for Jill Storey

Jill Storey

Head of School, Villiers School
Jill Storey (she/her) is Head of School at Villiers School.Jill holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Philosophyfrom the National University of Ireland, Galway. Jill has also achieved a Higher Diploma inSecondary Education and Teaching from... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm WEST
Theater

12:00pm WEST

Lunch
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm WEST
Fleming Forum

1:00pm WEST

Social Media That Works: A School’s Guide to Effective Online Presence
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Every school has a story, but is yours reaching the right audience in the right way? This interactive session will guide admissions, communications, and leadership teams in creating a tailored content strategy that resonates with their unique school community. Learn how to align messaging with admissions goals, leverage data-driven insights, and ensure consistency across platforms. We’ll explore real-world examples, workshop audience-specific messaging, and provide actionable steps to refine your school’s content plan. Walk away with a customizable content framework that strengthens your school’s presence and deepens engagement with prospective and current families.
Speakers
avatar for Thaísa Pessoa

Thaísa Pessoa

Marketing and Communications Specialist, TASIS Portugal
Thaísa Pessoa is a marketing and communications specialist with extensive experience helping schools tell their stories in meaningful, impactful ways. Having worked in both local and international settings, she brings a unique blend of creativity and data-driven strategy to every... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Upper School Library

1:00pm WEST

Analytics in Action
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Let’s talk numbers! Join Tom to dive further into the potential for analytics within OpenApply, especially some of the new analytics features in OpenApply. What metrics are important for you that would give you more insight into your school’s admissions and enrolment statistics? 
Speakers
avatar for Tom Kirby

Tom Kirby

Head of Client Experience, EMEA, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
As Head of Client Experience, EMEA, I am responsible for helping our customers in the region to get the most out of our products here at Faria Education Group (OpenApply, ManageBac, SchoolsBuddy and Atlas). Feel free to ask me any questions about OpenApply!I have worked for Fariafor... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Classroom B2.26

1:00pm WEST

Re-Enrolment & Transition
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Conor & Katrease will present how the re-enrolment process works in OpenApply, and the steps needed to prepare for re-enrolment in your school. They will also review the necessary steps to transition from one year to the next.
Speakers
avatar for Katrease Sinclair

Katrease Sinclair

Customer Support Representative, OpenApply
avatar for Conor Grogan

Conor Grogan

Customer Support Representative, OpenApply
Conor is now based in Italy and has built a diverse career in the sports industry since graduating from university. His experience spans business development, lecturing, and sales in the edtech sector, and he has recently transitioned into customer support. Conor thrives on leveraging... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
Classroom B2.25

1:50pm WEST

Short Break
Friday April 25, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm WEST
High School Commons

2:00pm WEST

Beyond the Homepage: Website Pages That Drive Admissions Success
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
Your school’s homepage is just the beginning. While it’s a vital first impression, families looking to enroll won’t make their decision based on a homepage alone. This session dives deeper into the pages that truly impact admissions—those that tell your school’s story, answer key questions, and inspire action. From tuition transparency to student life and application support, we’ll explore what matters most to prospective families and how to optimize these pages for conversion.
Speakers
avatar for Lori Foster

Lori Foster

International Client Success Manager, Finalsite
Lori is a dedicated and experienced Client Success Manager known for her patience and understanding of the unique goals and marketing challenges faced by schools. Her extensive experience working with schools in the UK and Europe gives her a valuable international perspective. Lori... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
Classroom B2.26

2:00pm WEST

Data-Driven Empathy: Enhancing Admissions Through Compassionate Analytics
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
To help school admissions teams learn how to balance data-driven decision-making with empathy in order to create more inclusive, fair, and community-centered admissions processes. Look at strategies for using analytics not just to process applications efficiently, but to truly understand the students behind the numbers.
Speakers
avatar for Francisco Vigo

Francisco Vigo

School Consultant, Letras Práticas Lda
Francisco brings over a decade of expertise in educational consultancy, school operations, and strategic planning to international schools. As a proud International Baccalaureate alumnus, he is deeply committed to fostering innovative and globally minded learning environments.An advocate... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
Upper School Library

2:50pm WEST

Coffee Break
Friday April 25, 2025 2:50pm - 3:10pm WEST
Friday April 25, 2025 2:50pm - 3:10pm WEST
High School Commons

3:10pm WEST

Panel: Empathy Elevates Education
Friday April 25, 2025 3:10pm - 4:15pm WEST
In this panel discussion, Tom will engage with our expert panel to delve into the following topic aligned with the conference theme:
  1. Empathy Elevates Education
  2. Challenges & Opportunities
  3. Analytics & Forecasting
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Ratcliff

Wendy Ratcliff

Head of Admissions & Marketing, Hurlingham School
avatar for Francisco Vigo

Francisco Vigo

School Consultant, Letras Práticas Lda
Francisco brings over a decade of expertise in educational consultancy, school operations, and strategic planning to international schools. As a proud International Baccalaureate alumnus, he is deeply committed to fostering innovative and globally minded learning environments.An advocate... Read More →
avatar for Arjun Puri

Arjun Puri

Dean of Admissions, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Arjun Puri was born and raised in Kolkata and schooled at the prestigious La Martiniere for Boys, where he was appointed the 167th school captain in 2002-03. He graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 and worked with Merrill Lynch International Bank in London for nearly... Read More →
avatar for Catalina Gardescu

Catalina Gardescu

Marketing, Admissions & Communications Specialist
Catalina Gardescu is an experienced Educational Marketing, Admissions, and Communications professional with over 20 years of expertise in international school advancement. She established and led the Admissions and External Relations Department at the American International School... Read More →
avatar for Tom Kirby

Tom Kirby

Head of Client Experience, EMEA, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
As Head of Client Experience, EMEA, I am responsible for helping our customers in the region to get the most out of our products here at Faria Education Group (OpenApply, ManageBac, SchoolsBuddy and Atlas). Feel free to ask me any questions about OpenApply!I have worked for Fariafor... Read More →
avatar for Robin Berting

Robin Berting

Admissions Director, American School of Barcelona
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Robin has "come home"  this year to the American School of Barcelona where he is in the first year of his second stint as Head of Admissions after having worked  at schools in Belgium, Switzerland, and South Korea over the past ten years. Robin... Read More →
avatar for Claudine Hakim

Claudine Hakim

Head of Transitions & Student Support, International School of London
Claudine Hakim is Head of Transitions, Student Support and Advancement at the International School of London (ISL) and is the leader of the award winning ISL Crossroads Transitions programme. Claudine was previously a Head Teacher at an independent Special School and another International... Read More →
avatar for Goncalo Santos

Goncalo Santos

Head of Marketing & Admissions, International Sharing School Taguspark
With an extensive international background, Gonçalo Santos is currently leading the Sales &Marketing team of the SHARING Education Group in Portugal.Having completed his studies at Glion in both Switzerland and London campuses, Gonçalogained invaluable experience working in vibrant... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 3:10pm - 4:15pm WEST
Theater

4:15pm WEST

Shuttle: from TASIS to Legacy Hotel
We have scheduled a shuttle between Legacy Hotel Cascais and TASIS. Feel free to sign up for the shuttle even if you are not staying at the hotel.


Friday April 25, 2025 4:15pm - 4:35pm WEST
TASIS Portugal Estrada Nacional No 9 Quinta da Beloura II, 2710-697 Sintra, Portugal

5:30pm WEST

Happy Hour 🙌🏻 FILLING
We will have a casual happy hour (with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks) at the newly-opened rooftop of Copo Alto in the heart of Cascais. We will start at 5:30pm and end around 7pm so you can freely go on to dinner or explore the city afterwards.
Friday April 25, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm WEST
Copo Alto Largo cidade vitoria 32, Tv. das Flores 4, 2750-348 Cascais, Portugal
 
Saturday, April 26
 

8:10am WEST

Shuttle: from Legacy Hotel to TASIS
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:10am - 8:30am WEST
We have scheduled a shuttle between Legacy Hotel Cascais and TASIS. Feel free to sign up for the shuttle even if you are not staying at the hotel.

One of our team member will meet you at the lobby and take everyone to the bus. Please make sure to be on time.
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:10am - 8:30am WEST
Legacy Hotel Cascais, Curio Collection by Hilton Av. 25 de Abril 528, 2750-511 Cascais, Portugal

8:30am WEST

Morning Tea FILLING
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am WEST
TASIS Gallery

8:45am WEST

OpenApply Roadmap
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
Matt will share an overview of our product roadmap, looking ahead at features that will be launching during 2025.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Craig

Matt Craig

Director, Europe, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
Having worked as an Education Consultant and an Assistant Dean of Admissions at a leading international school in the UK, Matt has years of experience in the education sector. Ranging from within the classroom, advising on educational systems, assisting families through their admissions... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
Theater

9:10am WEST

What's New?
Saturday April 26, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
Tom will demonstrate some new OpenApply features that were released in the last year, and explain how you can make use of these to streamline your admissions process.
Speakers
avatar for Tom Kirby

Tom Kirby

Head of Client Experience, EMEA, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
As Head of Client Experience, EMEA, I am responsible for helping our customers in the region to get the most out of our products here at Faria Education Group (OpenApply, ManageBac, SchoolsBuddy and Atlas). Feel free to ask me any questions about OpenApply!I have worked for Fariafor... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
Theater

10:00am WEST

Coffee Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:20am WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:20am WEST
TASIS Gallery

10:20am WEST

Heart Matters: Supporting Families of Neurodivergent Applicants with Empathy and Integrity
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am WEST
How admissions teams engage with families of neurodiverse applicants speaks volumes about a school’s values, vision, and reputation. Whether the answer is yes or no, every interaction must be rooted in empathy, care, and respect.

Drawing inspiration from the SPAN Speaker Series featuring experts from SENIA International and parents of neurodivergent students, this session explores best practices for fostering meaningful and transparent conversations with families. Participants gain insights into how to:
  • Balance honesty with compassion when discussing admissions decisions
  • Support families through the process with sensitivity and clarity
  • Ensure that every interaction reflects the school’s commitment to inclusion
  • Position admissions as a bridge to trust rather than a gatekeeper

Expect discomfort, reflection and practical strategies that strengthen relationships, uphold integrity, and reinforce your school’s dedication to welcoming all learners.
Speakers
avatar for Catalina Gardescu

Catalina Gardescu

Marketing, Admissions & Communications Specialist
Catalina Gardescu is an experienced Educational Marketing, Admissions, and Communications professional with over 20 years of expertise in international school advancement. She established and led the Admissions and External Relations Department at the American International School... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am WEST
Theater

11:10am WEST

Short Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:10am - 11:20am WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:10am - 11:20am WEST
TASIS Gallery

11:20am WEST

Unconference
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:20am - 12:10pm WEST
We will break into small groups to discuss topics such as:
  1. Data & Analytics
  2. Parent Experience
  3. Re-enrolment
  4. Marketing

Saturday April 26, 2025 11:20am - 12:10pm WEST
Upper School Library

12:10pm WEST

Lunch
Saturday April 26, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm WEST
Fleming Forum

1:00pm WEST

School Tour
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm WEST
Fleming Forum

1:30pm WEST

Connecting with Stakeholders Through Empathy, Courage and Diplomacy
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
To create the perfect recipe for building strong connections with prospective parents, the admissions team needs to first ensure they have the right ingredients—namely solid relationships with key stakeholders within their own school. However, just like in a complex dish, each stakeholder brings their own unique flavor to the table, with different needs and perspectives that can sometimes clash. This can make crafting those relationships a bit tricky. In this presentation, you’ll have the chance to explore how to blend these varied perspectives with a dash of empathy, a sprinkle of courage, and a pinch of tact, all while improving the way you connect with prospective families and making the enrollment process run more smoothly.
Speakers
avatar for Robin Berting

Robin Berting

Admissions Director, American School of Barcelona
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Robin has "come home"  this year to the American School of Barcelona where he is in the first year of his second stint as Head of Admissions after having worked  at schools in Belgium, Switzerland, and South Korea over the past ten years. Robin... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
Upper School Library

1:30pm WEST

Alumni & Advancement
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
Tom will provide an overview of OpenApply's Advancement module, especially highlighting some new features, and how they can be used to build meaningful relationships with your Alumni
Speakers
avatar for Tom Kirby

Tom Kirby

Head of Client Experience, EMEA, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
As Head of Client Experience, EMEA, I am responsible for helping our customers in the region to get the most out of our products here at Faria Education Group (OpenApply, ManageBac, SchoolsBuddy and Atlas). Feel free to ask me any questions about OpenApply!I have worked for Fariafor... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
Classroom B2.26

1:30pm WEST

Strategies for Smarter CRM
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
Matt & Meg will share ideas and encourage discussion around making the best use of OpenApply's CRM features, to communicate effectively with families
Speakers
avatar for Megan Jones

Megan Jones

Solutions Consultant, OpenApply
avatar for Matt Craig

Matt Craig

Director, Europe, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
Having worked as an Education Consultant and an Assistant Dean of Admissions at a leading international school in the UK, Matt has years of experience in the education sector. Ranging from within the classroom, advising on educational systems, assisting families through their admissions... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
Classroom B2.25

2:20pm WEST

Short Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:20pm - 2:30pm WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:20pm - 2:30pm WEST
High School Commons

2:30pm WEST

Strengthening Alumni Relations: Strategies for Engagement, Networking, and Long-Term Community Building
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
This session is in the format of a job-alike meeting in which professionals working in alumni relations share their best practices, challenges, and innovative strategies for fostering meaningful connections with former students. Topics will include alumni engagement, networking opportunities, communication strategies, event planning, and leveraging alumni support for school initiatives. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss successful programs, and explore new ways to strengthen alumni ties. Whether your school has a well-established alumni network or is in the early stages of development, this collaborative session will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways to enhance your alumni relations efforts.
Speakers
avatar for Soleiman Dias

Soleiman Dias

Director of Alumni and International Relations, Chadwick International (Korea)
Director of Alumni & International Relations at Chadwick International, having worked at various educational institutions, including universities and boarding schools in Brazil, the U.S., and, for the last 23 years, in South Korea. Soleiman Dias presided KORCOS for various terms and... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
Upper School Library

2:30pm WEST

Processing Applications from Enquiry to Enrolment
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
Tom & Katrease will share insights and tips for processing applications in OpenApply, from the point of enquiry all the way through to enrolment
Speakers
avatar for Tom Kirby

Tom Kirby

Head of Client Experience, EMEA, Faria Education Group | OpenApply
As Head of Client Experience, EMEA, I am responsible for helping our customers in the region to get the most out of our products here at Faria Education Group (OpenApply, ManageBac, SchoolsBuddy and Atlas). Feel free to ask me any questions about OpenApply!I have worked for Fariafor... Read More →
avatar for Katrease Sinclair

Katrease Sinclair

Customer Support Representative, OpenApply
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
Classroom B2.26

2:30pm WEST

The Parent Perspective
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
Meg will take you on a journey from the parent perspective, looking at how make the process as smooth as possible for prospective families
Speakers
avatar for Megan Jones

Megan Jones

Solutions Consultant, OpenApply
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
Classroom B2.25

3:20pm WEST

Closing Reception
Saturday April 26, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm WEST
Saturday April 26, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm WEST
TASIS Gallery

4:20pm WEST

Shuttle: from TASIS to Legacy Hotel
We have scheduled a shuttle between Legacy Hotel Cascais and TASIS. Feel free to sign up for the shuttle even if you are not staying at the hotel.
Saturday April 26, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm WEST
TASIS Portugal Estrada Nacional No 9 Quinta da Beloura II, 2710-697 Sintra, Portugal
 
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