From Germany to DC: Suzanna Jemsby on Leading with Empathy and Vision

 In this second episode of Season II Evolution Stories, host Christian Talbot sits down with Suzanna Jemsby, Head of School at Washington International School and a Commissioner with the Middle States Association. A lifelong educator fluent in four languages, Suzanna’s global journey has taken her from classrooms in England and Syria to leadership roles in Atlanta and Washington, DC. She candidly reflects on early career decisions, lessons from a failed campus expansion project, and how that experience shaped her approach to community engagement and leadership. Suzanna shares how she rebuilt trust with neighbors, successfully led a major construction initiative, and developed a collaborative school culture that empowers both faculty and students. Through her story, she reminds us that meaningful change in education begins with listening, relationships, and a steadfast belief that students must always remain at the center of every decision.