Biannual Board Retreat: Aligning on Strategy, Strengthening Governance, and Building Cohesion for the Future of UNIS Hanoi

On Saturday, 24 January 2026, the UNIS Hanoi Board of Directors (Board) and School Leadership Team (School Leadership) came together for the biannual Board Retreat — a full-day, purpose-designed session held at the start of each semester to build cohesion in support of the school’s long-term identity and strategic direction. These retreats provide the Board and School Leadership space to step away from routine meeting agendas, engage in deeper dialogue and reflection, and better understand the perspectives of school leaders and the broader community, ensuring that Board decisions are thoughtful, informed, and grounded in the realities of school life.

Before beginning the day’s agenda, participants took a moment to remember Steve Dyokas, a valued member of the UNIS Hanoi Board who passed away unexpectedly over winter break. His contributions were sincerely appreciated and his absence will be felt by the Board and the UNIS Hanoi community.

Facilitated by Dr Liz Gale, Head of School (Dr Liz), the retreat explored inclusivity and institutional growth through the lens of the UNIS Hanoi mission — “Guided by UN values, we inspire all learners to strive for academic and personal excellence and empower students to create positive, sustainable impact.” Participants reflected on where the school is today in living this mission, where it aspires to go, and what it seeks to become in the years ahead.

Building Trust and Connection

The day began with an interactive inclusion activity led by Dr Liz and Maria Chung, Board Chair, which was designed to foster cohesion and trust among participants. This set the tone for open communication, mutual respect, and meaningful collaboration throughout the retreat, while reinforcing a strong sense of community. Building trust is a central goal of these retreats, creating space for honest conversations, diverse viewpoints, and constructive engagement in support of the school’s mission.

Generative Conversations on Inclusion

The retreat included a generative conversation — a facilitated discussion focused on exploring big-picture ideas and future possibilities rather than immediate decision-making. This session centered on the future of inclusion at UNIS Hanoi, with dialogue around neurodiversity, multilingual learners (MLL), and the school’s ongoing work in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging (DEIJB).

During the discussion, Dr Liz shared insights from her previous experiences at other schools, as well as key findings from the Next Frontier Inclusion audit conducted last semester. She was joined by Kim Davis, Inclusion Coordinator, who provided perspective on current practices, evolving needs, and long-term priorities across the school community. Together, these contributions helped deepen the Board’s understanding and inform future strategic direction.