Head of School
Antwerp International School vzw (Belgium)

Dear Search Associates Colleagues,

On behalf of Antwerp International School, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Marc Mesich, Ed. D. has been appointed as the new Head of School, commencing August 2027.  

Nils Schillewaert, President of the Board of Trustees and Els De Cremer, Vice President of the Board of Trustees and Head of the Search Committee, shared the following with the Antwerp International School Community:

Dr. Mesich joins Antwerp International School at an exceptionally historic moment as the school approaches its landmark 60th anniversary. Selected through a rigorous global search process, Marc stands out as a visionary, results-driven educational leader with a proven track record of driving strategic advancement, operational excellence, and collaborative community cultures within International Baccalaureate World Schools.

Ms. Els Cremer commented, “we are thrilled to welcome Marc to Antwerp International School at this important moment in the school’s journey. His experience, vision,  and collaborative leadership style position him ideally to build on AIS’s strong foundations and lead the community into its next phase of growth.” 

Dr. Mesich brings an impressive academic background alongside extensive executive experience leading premium international institutions. He holds a Doctor of Education in K-12 Senior Leadership from the University of Calgary and a Master of Teaching from the University of Toronto. Most recently, he has served as the Principal and CEO of Uplands International School in Malaysia, where he spearheaded the campus redevelopment and successfully implemented the IB Middle Years Programme. Prior to his tenure in Malaysia, he served as the Principal and Founding Director of Osaka YMCA International School in Japan, where he successfully secured dual MYP/DP IB authorisation.

His administrative journey has been built around the development of IB programmes, growth of institutional capacity and the facilitation of academic results well above the global average. Furthermore, Dr. Mesich brings a distinct strategic advantage to our school through his long-standing role as an active Evaluation Chair, Workshop Leader, and Lead Educator for the International Baccalaureate Organisation. His deep expertise in leading comprehensive school evaluations involving joint international accrediting bodies including NEASC will be invaluable as Antwerp International School prepares for its upcoming accreditation visit in autumn 2027.

In describing his leadership philosophy, Dr. Mesich emphasises a balance between institutional sustainability and an approachable, student-centred focus, noting that successful leaders provide a clear definition of purpose through thoughtful, collaborative action. He intentionally blends the principles of distributed and student-centred leadership to empower educators while deeply prioritising international mindedness and intercultural understanding. He is additionally passionate about experiential education and has extensive trekking, mountaineering, and kayaking experience. He is committed to a deeply humanistic approach to school leadership.

In response to his appointment as the new Head of School at Antwerp International School, Dr.Mesich shared, “it has been an absolute pleasure to connect with the AIS community. Throughout this experience, I have been impressed with the sense of community, care, and professionalism.  On behalf of my family, we are thrilled to be taking the next step in our professional and academic journey.”

Over the coming year, the Board of Trustees will work closely with Dr. Mesich to ensure a seamless leadership transition before he officially takes office. We look forward to sharing opportunities for parents, faculty, and alumni to formally welcome him and his family to our vibrant school community.

The Board of Trustees wishes to extend its gratitude to the members of the search committee for their dedication and diligence throughout this comprehensive global process. We also offer our sincere thanks to all the faculty, staff, students, and parents who actively participated in the search and provided invaluable insights, as your collective feedback was instrumental in helping us select a leader who so perfectly aligns with the mission and future of Antwerp International School. Please join us in extending our warmest congratulations and a heartfelt welcome to Dr. Marc Mesich.

Search Associates extends thanks to the AIS Search Committee members for their highly effective partnership and ongoing support during the search process for the Head of School.  Moreover, Search Associates thanks all the candidates who applied for the Head of School position at Antwerp International School, and also everyone who played a part in the successful search process.  We wish Dr. Mesich all the best with his new position at Antwerp International School.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Lewis, MEd

Senior Consultant, Search Associates

Please click here for full position details and application instructions.