SCHOOL BOARD
The Board Mission:
We ensure the continuity of the school, set the strategic direction, oversee and support the management team, and represent all interests.
The School Board for 2025-26!
We are pleased to announced that the School Board was voted in at the PGM on October 2025. This is the team that provides governance and strategic directions for Santisouk.
Congratulations and thank you to (front row) Nini, Emilie, Tao, (back row) Nicole, Aiai, Karen (School Director) and Jeanne!
Absent: Vanlaty
School Board Members
Emilie Saves - Chair
My name is Emilie, I’ve been living in Vientiane since 2018. We are now a family of four and my older son Charles is a student at Santisouk.
I have been working in the banking industry for over 10 years and over 12 years in Southeast Asia as I was living in Bangkok before moving to Laos.
I have a Business Management and IT background, but now I’m in charge of Risk and Compliance for a French bank subsidiary established in Laos.
I’m proud and happy to be able to contribute actively to Santisouk growth, sustainability, and promotion as a Board Member. Our main target is to support Santisouk students’ development in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Manisone Philathivong (Nini) - Vice Chair
I have all my three boys attended Santtisouk for almost five years. All my life I have been lucky enough to study and work in communication fields, public relations, and donor relations which allowed me to meet many great people from different cultural backgrounds. That’s the key reason I wanted my children to also experience in Santisouk community. My latest working years was to support the reading habit cultivation and early grade education development projects at the public schools in provinces. The experience was truly a treasure for me and I hope my engagement to the board will bring more gain and contribute to the stainable growth for Santisouk.
Nicole Schmidberger - Treasurer
​
My name is Nicole. My family and I came to Laos in January 2023. We love living in Asia and are happy to be here. Before moving to Laos, we lived in Myanmar. After completing my Master’s degree in International Business Studies in 2018, I began working as a Finance Manager for development projects.
My daughter Sara joined Santisouk almost a year ago and absolutely loves it. I am looking forward to supporting the school as Treasurer.
Aiai Metzger - Secretary
I am passionate about helping individuals to improve their physical strength and health, so professionally I am a licensed Exercise Therapist and a Personal Trainer. I also work as Administrative support for the Malaysian Business Chamber of Laos. I have experience in teaching English as Second Language from early years to Teachers in the Ministry of Education of Lao Government. I am also part of the Events team. I love being part of a dynamic team and I hope to take part to shape Santisouk strategically with the Board.
Oudeth Xayalop (Tao)
I am a founder of Deluxe lighting. I worked in the Sales department in Sathaphone Electric store, for more than 15 years. Noah has been in Santisouk for 2 years and he loves Santisouk. I also love the way my son learn from Santisouk and energy of the teachers are incredible that I never see in any school. I would love to see my son having good times as a kid, growing strong and be a good person in the future. As a parent I love to see Santisouk supporting Lao kids like this as long as possible. I hope to be part of this impactful journey of Santisouk.
​
Jeanne Bottello
I have strong motivation as a Board Member for Santisouk, especially given the interesting challenges and developments ahead. I believe I can contribute to support and accompany the pedagogical and management team’s journey and be an ambassador for the school while also making myself available to other parents.
I would be proud to be part of a team working towards the wellbeing and the growth of our children through Montessori’s respectful, empowering and caring approach.
​
I have been working for rights-related development projects for over 10 years growing a diverse set of skills helpful for any project (planning, budgeting, monitoring, etc.) and always using rights-based approach to beneficiaries.
I spent almost half of my career working on disability inclusive development advocacy, including for inclusive education, and on promoting diversity.
Vanlaty Siphom (Bae)
I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. I’ve currently been working as a procurement consultant in the World Bank Lao office for 5 years.
I have 2 kids; one girl is almost 5 years old and she is at Santisouk, another is a boy 2 years old.
​
I don’t have any specific hobby because I am not an active person. Just try to make my routine efficient by working 8 hours a day, eating tasty foods, working out 30 minutes, drinking wine, and most importantly, spending time with my family.
​