Joanna Povall is the Principal of Wales International School, Abu Dhabi, UAE. She has over 25 years of leadership in the UK, France and the UAE. Alongside working as a Principal, she supports school improvement around the world in her role as a Lead Improvement Partner for the Council of British International Schools. She is an advocate of kindness as a powerful leadership tool that transforms school culture, raises morale, and strengthens professional relationships. Joanna was awarded TES International Principal of the Year in 2024, and her CHASE Kindness framework of leadership was shortlisted for the TES International School Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year in 2025.
