As Jane McGee concludes her exceptional seven-year tenure as the eighth Head of School at UNIS Hanoi, we welcome her into our alumni community and honour a visionary leader who has shaped the School with courage, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.
A Leader of Global Perspective and Purpose
Jane arrived at UNIS Hanoi in 2018, bringing with her more than three decades of experience in international education. Her journey, spanning Italy, Egypt, Poland, India, Thailand, and Laos, reflected a deep commitment to both academic excellence and global citizenship. A mathematician with bachelor and masters degrees from Queen’s University in Canada, Jane’s headship has blended intellectual rigour with pragmatic clarity.
From the moment she stepped onto campus, Jane celebrated the uniqueness of UNIS Hanoi: a school community profoundly aligned with its ambitious mission. It was this alignment with the principles of the United Nations, and a shared determination to build a better world, that Jane both admired and strengthened through every decision she made.
Leading Through Challenge with Courage and Grace
Jane’s leadership was defined not only by what she built, but by how she led in moments of adversity. Her tenure encompassed the global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, typhoon Yagi, and the demands of a shifting global social and political landscape. In every instance, she guided UNIS Hanoi with calm resolve and a steady focus on people. As Maria Chung, Board Chair, shared, “She reminded us again and again of what mattered most: our students and our shared humanity.”
She prioritised connection, care, and continuity. She ensured that students continued to learn, teachers continued to lead, and families continued to feel supported by the School’s values, even in the most uncertain times. Her ability to lead with both compassion and clarity earned the trust of the entire community.
A Vision That Took Root in Stone and Spirit
While Jane’s impact is evident in the School’s strengthened culture and systems, it is also visible in its evolving landscape. Under her leadership, UNIS Hanoi embarked on one of the most ambitious campus developments in its history. The upgraded Sports Centre, re-opening in the 2025–2026 school year, stands as a lasting testament to her belief in whole-child education that nurtures excellence and wellbeing.
Complementing these infrastructure advancements, Jane's tenure saw UNIS Hanoi receive a significant philanthropic gift from LPBank. This support led to substantial achievements, including LPBank's generous donation of 35 billion VND (approximately $1.4 million USD), which established an endowment fund. This fund secures the future of the UNIS Hanoi Scholarship Programme and supports broader educational initiatives. Additionally, a 5 billion VND gift from LPBank funded a major upgrade of the school playground in 2023-2024, transforming it into a vibrant space that enhances students' holistic development and reflects Jane's commitment to comprehensive well-being.
Jane also led a wide range of sustainability efforts, including a significantly expanded solar infrastructure powered by 1,376 panels and most recently a 25 kWp system, installed in Spring 2025. These efforts have meaningfully reduced carbon emissions: UNIS Hanoi generates 20 percent of the energy it uses from renewables. This is a testament to her belief in sustainable, future-focused infrastructure. She also supported the development of the Sustainability Centre and Recycling Hub, now key features of the UNIS Botanical Garden, and oversaw many other extensive environmental innovations and improvements across campus. At every step, she ensured that campus growth reflected the School’s principles and responsibilities.
Living the Mission: Global Citizenship in Action
More than any building or policy, Jane’s enduring legacy lies in how she brought the School’s mission to life. She fostered global citizenship as a daily practice. Under her guidance, UNIS Hanoi deepened its work on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, expanded its inclusion and justice initiatives, and empowered students to see themselves as agents of change in a complex world.
Jane also championed strong, values-driven governance as a cornerstone of effective school leadership. Throughout her tenure, UNIS Hanoi has hosted the Governance as Leadership Training Institute (GALTI), welcoming international board members and school leaders to engage in deep learning around ethical, mission-aligned strategy. Even amidst external disruptions, Jane ensured the continuity and growth of this initiative, positioning UNIS Hanoi as a regional leader in governance education and modeling the collaborative leadership she believed in.
One quiet but powerful example of this values alignment came when, under her leadership, the Board and Leadership Team reached 100 percent participation in annual giving for the first time in UNIS Hanoi’s history. It was a milestone of collective generosity that echoed Jane’s belief in shared responsibility and purposeful action.
Honouring Curiosity: A New Award in Her Name
When asked which of UNIS Hanoi’s six core values spoke to her most, Jane named curiosity. It was, she said, the beginning of everything: of learning, of empathy, of change. To honour this conviction, and to carry her legacy forward, the School has established the Jane McGee Award for Curiosity.
This annual award, beginning in May 2025, is presented to a Grade 11 student who demonstrates exceptional curiosity through inquiry, initiative, and impact. It is a reflection of Jane’s own leadership and a way to ensure her values continue to inspire generations to come.
The inaugural recipient, Lily Piggott, embodies the spirit of the award. A deep thinker, generous leader, and engaged global citizen, Lily’s decision to invest the prize in her education reflects the kind of grounded, thoughtful leadership Jane so often championed. It is in these quiet, intentional choices that legacy lives on.
A Lasting Legacy
Jane McGee leaves UNIS Hanoi having guided the School through unprecedented challenges, transformative growth, and renewed purpose. She joins the alumni community not only as a former Head of School, but as someone whose influence will be felt for years to come.
We welcome her with deep respect and immense gratitude.
Thank you, Jane, for your wisdom, your courage, and your enduring belief in the promise of this community.
Once a Phoenix. Always a Phoenix.