Risk Taking, Resilience, and Real Leadership: How AAIE’s Laura Light Brings School Leaders Together in Crisis

In this episode of Evolution Stories, Christian Talbot sits down with Laura Light, Executive Director of AAIE and one of the most trusted conveners in international education. Laura has a unique view into the complexities facing school leaders around the globe, from geopolitical conflict to enrollment volatility to the rapid emergence of AI. She reflects on her own journey as a third culture kid turned educator and describes how international schools embrace risk, change, and innovation with remarkable courage.

Laura also takes listeners behind the scenes of AAIE’s Tuesday Morning Calls, a global lifeline for school leaders navigating sudden USAID cuts earlier this year. She shares why her philosophy of leadership centers on community, kindness, integrity, and the ability to admit mistakes and move forward. For anyone leading change in uncertain times, Laura’s insights are grounding, practical, and deeply human.