Cambodia Investment Review
The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS) has announced the appointment of Ms. Daun Yorke as its new Head of School, effective August 2026. She will succeed Ms. Leah Dushenski, who has led the school for more than four years and overseen a period of academic expansion and institutional consolidation.
The appointment was announced by the CIS Board of Directors following an international search, as the school positions itself for its next phase of growth within Cambodia’s increasingly competitive international education market.
International leadership experience across Asia
Ms. Yorke is an experienced international educator with senior leadership experience across Hong Kong, Mainland China, South Korea, and Vietnam. Her career includes head-of-school and principalship roles at established international schools, with a professional focus on instructional leadership, accreditation, student well-being, and professional learning.
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She brings extensive experience with both the Canadian curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Her background includes leadership in IB authorisation, evaluation, and ongoing programme development, areas that have become increasingly important as international schools in Cambodia seek to align with global standards and parent expectations.
Ms. Yorke has also served as an IB workshop leader, supporting school leaders and educators across the Asia-Pacific region, and has participated in accreditation processes with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools.
Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Yorke said she was encouraged by her visit to the CIS campus and her engagement with students, parents, and staff. She noted the school’s strong foundations and shared commitment to learning as key factors in her decision to join the community.
Recognising outgoing leadership
The CIS Board also formally recognised the contributions of Ms. Leah Dushenski, who has served as Head of School for more than four years. During her tenure, CIS strengthened its academic programmes, expanded its IB offering with the successful authorisation of the Primary Years Programme, and celebrated its first three graduating classes.
Under her leadership, the school continued to build its reputation as a respected international education provider in Phnom Penh, navigating a period marked by operational challenges and evolving expectations around student welfare, digital learning, and governance.
Positioning for the next phase
The leadership transition comes as Cambodia’s international education sector continues to mature, driven by foreign investment, a growing expatriate population, and rising demand from Cambodian families for internationally recognised education pathways.
The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS) is an IB World School delivering educational programs to students in Nursery to Grade 12. We collaborate to create an enriching environment where each and every learner is engaged to become an accomplished, caring, and empowered global citizen. Our students enjoy world-class facilities at three centrally located campuses in the heart of the city.
