Angela Purcell dedicated 41 years to ISB, beginning as a Middle SchoolEnglishteacherin1970andcontinuinginboththeMSandHS English Departments until her retirement in 2011. Along the way, she served as MS English HOD, represented faculty in discussions with administration, co-developed an award-winning MS English curriculum,andfoundedinitiativesthathelpedshapeISB’sculture.
As a founding member of Project Safe Place, she advocated for greater inclusiveness and respect for all ISB students, and through creating and administering Partners in Practice, she mentored new teachers as they began their ISB careers. Her commitment to supportingwomeneducatorscreatedarippleeffectthatbenefited studentsforyearstocome.
NowhappilybasedinBrusselswithherpartner,Angelareflectswith pride on the positive impact she has had on so many former students’lives–alegacybuiltonbelief,effort,andopportunity.
Willemijn, an ISB alumna from the Class of 2004, built an international career spanning twelve years at Unilever, where she becameGlobalHRDirectorforTea&IceCream.Today,sherunsher own practice, Power&Care, combining interim HR leadership with coachingforseniorleadersnavigatinggrowthandchange.
After years in the corporate world, she made the courageous decision to step into entrepreneurship – designing a professional life that aligns with both her ambitions and her family. Through her coaching, she now supports young women balancing career and motherhood, helping them build confidence, set boundaries, and leadwithclarity.
Herjourneyreflectsthestrengthtochallengethestatusquo,the courage to choose balance, and the belief that leadership and familylifecanempoweroneanother.
Born in India in 1931, Rachel’s journey spans continents, cultures, and generations. From studying medicine and later completing Master’s degrees in Education and Psychology, to becoming Head ofthePsychologyDepartmentattheUniversityofJamshedpur,her path was shaped by determination and historical change. After moving to Belgium to pursue her PhD in Education at the Catholic University of Louvain, she later joined ISB as a Mathematics teacher.
AtISB,Racheldevelopedherownphilosophyofteachingandfound deep satisfaction in reaching students from diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures. Beyond the classroom, she was the main financialsupportforherfamilyandalsosupportedtheeducationof women in her family, serving as both a role model and a provider, believing strongly in the importance of education for women’s advancement.
Still living in Belgium, Rachel’s story is one of strength, responsibility, and unwavering belief in learning as a force for change.
ThroughheryearsatISB,Deborahmadealastingimpactnotonlyin the classroom, but across the entire community. As a science educator and department leader, she championed collaboration, supported early-career teachers, and helped shape a more inclusivelearningenvironmentforallstudents.
She also played a key role in reaching gender parity within the ScienceDepartment, creating greater visibility and opportunity for girlsandyoungwomenconsideringfuturesinSTEM.
But perhaps her most powerful contribution began with a simple decision: to speak up. After hearing about her daughters’ experiences, she helped spark conversations that led to the creation of Safe Place – acommunityinitiativebringingtogether faculty, students, and parents to foster a more inclusive and respectfulenvironmentforLGBTQ+individualsatISB.
Herstoryreflectsthisyear’sInternationalWomen’sDaytheme,“Give to Gain” – showing how courage, advocacy, and community can leadtomeaningfulandlastingchange.