TREVOR GILE Founder

With a double major in Finance and Management from Washington State University, Trevor spent the first seven years of his career in Chicago and London with investment banks. 

He and his wife Agnieszka then moved to Poland and founded several new businesses, including Liger Investments Limited, which applies advanced technology to trading in the financial markets. 

Trevor’s experiences in the developing world were a motivator to leverage his success with Liger Investments to pursue an innovative model of international development aid that he had been formulating since his time at university.

His experiences with development, poverty, entrepreneurship, and technology came together to form the vision for the Leadership Academy.

AGNIESZKA TYNKIEWICZ-GILE Founder

Graduating from Kazimierz Wielki University in Poland, Agnieszka has a degree in Interior Design from Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. After years of working for acclaimed interior designers, in 2001, Agnieszka and Trevor took a sabbatical and traveled the world with the goal of seeing the most remote places on the planet. This experience greatly influenced her later design work under her own brand Signatura Remi & Gile which she successfully ran for over a decade in Krakow.

A Licensed Italian Farmer (IAP) and Founder of the Terre di San Giustino Vineyard in Italy. She shares her time between her responsibilities as the President of the Liger Charitable Foundation, composing boutique wines in Tuscany and being a mother to her two children – Sophie and Alex.

JEFF HOLTE Education Director

Jeff is an innovative, creative educator with nearly 40 years of experience as a teacher, principal, technology director, school director and designer of pioneering learning models. 

Originally from the United States, Jeff has lived in Qatar, China, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cambodia, working in the field of education since 2006. 

He has been with Liger since 2013 and is passionate about education and the promise it provides to the learner, the community and the world. 

DANIEL COOPER Head of School

Originally from Christchurch, Daniel has spent 16 years of living and working in international schools across Asia and Europe - most recently at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. Across these travels, Daniel has strived to create learning experiences that are personal, authentic, and meaningful for every learner, empowering them to maximise their potential. 

Daniel joined our team in June of 2022 as the Head of School, bringing his extensive wealth of experience and expertise to our Academy. His philosophy smoothly aligns with Liger’s Learning model which recognises the potential and power of all learners.

ADAM STURMAN Facilitator

Adam hails from Rangiora located in North Canterbury although for the last seven years he has been travelling globally as a member of the Think Global School where he has been part of a team that has developed, and subsequently implemented, a new project-based curriculum. He is a New Zealand trained teacher whose interests include a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities as well as most sports. Adam is excited about being a member of the Liger team and having the opportunity to help create a supportive and innovative culture that encourages authentic learning experiences that allow for students to have more voice and choice in their learning.

ROWENA SPEED Facilitator

Originally from Tauranga and inspired by the outdoors, her life is centred around connecting with two things, people and nature. Rowena is a trained physiotherapist and teacher. As an educator, she sees her role is to help learners find experiences that push them just far enough outside of their comfort zone for growth and to introduce tools for reflection. She's put this into action over the last 6 years at an innovative project-based learning school which she travelled the world with. Through this, Rowena has seen the amazing things learners can do if you give them freedom and opportunity, and she hopes to do this at home. That’s why she was drawn to Liger Leadership Academy.

SHIRA FEIFER FACILITATOR

Shira is an educator and lifelong learner. Her teaching philosophy is centered around creating inclusive learning environments and creating and building strong relationships with learners rooted in trust, communication, and collaboration. She is particularly passionate about teaching literacy and supporting learners in seeing themselves as readers, writers, and creative thinkers. Originally from San Diego, California, Shira enjoys hiking, camping, doing yoga, reading, spending time with friends and family, and cooking.

MAX CADY FACILITATOR

Max was on the founding team at Liger Cambodia in 2012, where he worked for three years as a Learning Facilitator and Technology and Innovation Coordinator. Following this experience, he then enrolled at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and graduated with an Ed.M in Technology, Innovation, and Education in 2016. 

Max is passionate about integrating collaboration, play, and curiosity into education. He enjoys thinking about new ideas and dreaming up projects and learning opportunities.

NICK FOSTER FACILITATOR

Nick is a father, teacher, engineer and perpetual tinkerer. Teaching is his calling and he is especially passionate about mathematics, technology and engineering. He and his wife, Cassie, have three children and a faithful dog called Nala.  Nick loves exploring the outdoors – either walking, running or riding trails. He is motivated to create an environment where Liger learners thrive through meaningful projects that create a positive impact in their community

JUDI KEAN OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Originally from Scotland, Judi now calls Queenstown home and lives here with her husband and two children, Henry and Olive.

Judi brings to the team years of experience in high level customer service and has extensive experience with all administrative tasks including scheduling and correspondence.  Judi is on hand to assist both learners and parents with their journey at the Academy so please reach out to her if you have any questions. 

A lover of the outdoors, Judi spends her spare time enjoying the many trails in the region.