On behalf of Dr. Nneka Johnson, Director of the International School of Dakar (ISD), Search Associates is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Giles Pinto as Secondary Principal, effective August 2026. In her message to the school community, Dr. Johnson highlighted Mr. Pinto’s depth of experience in international education and secondary leadership, sharing:
What resonated strongly with our community is his perspective, educational vision, and collaborative approach. As an experienced, forward-thinking, and inclusive educational leader who is community-focused and person-centered, Giles will be a great fit for our ISD community. We look forward to welcoming Giles and his wife, Marlene, to ISD in August.
Giles brings a rich background in pedagogy, leadership, counseling, and program development, cultivated across high-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum schools in Japan, the Bahamas, and Canada. Reflecting on his new role, he shared:
I'm excited to be joining ISD because it's a community oriented toward co-creating change and transformation, which will challenge me to grow as a leader.
Giles’ professional journey is complemented by strong academic preparation. He holds a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology, a Master of Arts in South Asian Studies, and a Bachelor of Education all from the University of Toronto. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (First-Class Honors) from the University of Alberta. Giles is also currently pursuing pre-doctoral studies through the AAIE Institute for International School Leadership.
A leader who values connection beyond the classroom, Giles fondly recalls coaching middle school basketball at Yokohama International School. He draws inspiration from the words of Michael Jordan:
Earn your leadership every day.
Outside of school, Giles enjoys live music—especially jazz—along with cinema and board games with his family. A passionate storyteller, he adds, “I have a lifelong interest in developing myself as a writer.”
Search Associates extends sincere thanks to all candidates who expressed interest in this leadership opportunity and to the many individuals who supported the successful search process for the next Secondary Principal at the International School of Dakar.
