Transitions Without Borders is led by an international and experienced Advisory Board. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, as well as ensuring that its not for profit status, vision and mission remain at the core of its programs.
Advisory Board members:
Advisory Board members:
Richard Winn, Ed.D.
Richard retired in June 2015 as Senior Vice President of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission, the agency that accredits senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin, and a number of international locations. During his twelve years of WASC service, he worked closely with more than 70 institutions, facilitated some 125 site visits, and worked with more than 100 institutions that were seeking accreditation.
Richard’s doctoral dissertation in Educational Leadership examined the deployment of the education criteria from the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) as the basis for reaffirmation of institutional accreditation. He also served as a member of the MBNQA Board of Examiners for three years. Continuing his interest in accreditation, he is entering his seventh year as a member of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) that accredits medical schools in the osteopathic tradition.
Richard has held faculty and administrative positions at a number of colleges and universities, leading several of them in their accreditation activities, prior to beginning his role at WASC in 2003. His teaching interests include human development and values formation. He continues to consult on accreditation matters with domestic and international universities.
Richard and his wife, Margaret Bannerman, MD, live in San Francisco, close to the hospital where she works as an anesthesiologist.
Richard retired in June 2015 as Senior Vice President of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission, the agency that accredits senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin, and a number of international locations. During his twelve years of WASC service, he worked closely with more than 70 institutions, facilitated some 125 site visits, and worked with more than 100 institutions that were seeking accreditation.
Richard’s doctoral dissertation in Educational Leadership examined the deployment of the education criteria from the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) as the basis for reaffirmation of institutional accreditation. He also served as a member of the MBNQA Board of Examiners for three years. Continuing his interest in accreditation, he is entering his seventh year as a member of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) that accredits medical schools in the osteopathic tradition.
Richard has held faculty and administrative positions at a number of colleges and universities, leading several of them in their accreditation activities, prior to beginning his role at WASC in 2003. His teaching interests include human development and values formation. He continues to consult on accreditation matters with domestic and international universities.
Richard and his wife, Margaret Bannerman, MD, live in San Francisco, close to the hospital where she works as an anesthesiologist.
Michelle Rath, Ph.D.
Michelle was born and raised in Western Canada. She has worked for the last 15 years as a high school counselor and as the Director of School Counseling in public schools in Vermont. For the last year, Michelle has worked as a school counselor at the American School of Dubai. In 2013, she earned a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching, and conducted research through Tel Aviv University in Israel, focusing on school crisis management.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master in Educational Psychology and Counseling from McGill University, and a Ph.D. In Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University. In addition, she has completed extensive continuing education credits through the University of Vermont and Southern New Hampshire University, focusing on best practices in school counseling.
The focus of Michelle's work and research has always been on student-centered supports and services to allow students the opportunity to succeed and flourish in high school and beyond. She is a member of NACAC, OACAC, ASCA, ISCA, and participates regularly in professional development opportunities on best practices and international student support needs.
Michelle was born and raised in Western Canada. She has worked for the last 15 years as a high school counselor and as the Director of School Counseling in public schools in Vermont. For the last year, Michelle has worked as a school counselor at the American School of Dubai. In 2013, she earned a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching, and conducted research through Tel Aviv University in Israel, focusing on school crisis management.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master in Educational Psychology and Counseling from McGill University, and a Ph.D. In Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University. In addition, she has completed extensive continuing education credits through the University of Vermont and Southern New Hampshire University, focusing on best practices in school counseling.
The focus of Michelle's work and research has always been on student-centered supports and services to allow students the opportunity to succeed and flourish in high school and beyond. She is a member of NACAC, OACAC, ASCA, ISCA, and participates regularly in professional development opportunities on best practices and international student support needs.
Ben Compton, M.S.
Ben is an American Citizen who grew up as a Third Culture Kid in Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, and several states In the United States. He has a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and has spent 15 years as a high school counselor in international schools, including stints at Brent International School Manila, American School of Doha, Shanghai American School, and Concordia International School Shanghai.
Prior to his work overseas as an international school counselor, Ben spent four years as an individual, group, and family therapist at a residential treatment center for students who had been abjudicated as delinquent and referred by the court in Madison, Wisconsin. He also was a single foster parent for three juvenile delinquent teenage boys in Wisconsin. In 2008, Ben started an NGO, WE International Philippines, which takes a collaborative approach to combating poverty in the garbage dump community of Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Ben currently resides in Shanghai, China where he works at Concordia International School Shanghai.
Ben is an American Citizen who grew up as a Third Culture Kid in Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, and several states In the United States. He has a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and has spent 15 years as a high school counselor in international schools, including stints at Brent International School Manila, American School of Doha, Shanghai American School, and Concordia International School Shanghai.
Prior to his work overseas as an international school counselor, Ben spent four years as an individual, group, and family therapist at a residential treatment center for students who had been abjudicated as delinquent and referred by the court in Madison, Wisconsin. He also was a single foster parent for three juvenile delinquent teenage boys in Wisconsin. In 2008, Ben started an NGO, WE International Philippines, which takes a collaborative approach to combating poverty in the garbage dump community of Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Ben currently resides in Shanghai, China where he works at Concordia International School Shanghai.
Mala Swaminathan, MGC
Mala has been a resident of Singapore since 2008. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Mumbai University and a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling from James Cook University, Singapore. She holds a UCLA certificate in College Counseling. Mala is also a qualified tester from the British Psychological Society, and is qualified to order, administer, score, interpret and provide feedback on a complete range of ability, aptitude and personality questionnaires. A passion for History led her to obtain her Masters in History.
Mala worked at the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) where she gained experience working with teenagers, helping them to navigate the college application process and gain work experience over the summer. She also prepared students for college application interviews and organized several university fairs, which were very well attended.
She is an associate counselor at WINGS Counseling Centre- a non-profit organization in Singapore. Mala also works as an independent college counselor helping students with college applications on a pro bono basis. Prior to college counseling, Mala was an educator and taught high school History at schools in India and Singapore.
Mala is a member of the American Counseling Association and the British Psychological Society.
Mala has been a resident of Singapore since 2008. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Mumbai University and a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling from James Cook University, Singapore. She holds a UCLA certificate in College Counseling. Mala is also a qualified tester from the British Psychological Society, and is qualified to order, administer, score, interpret and provide feedback on a complete range of ability, aptitude and personality questionnaires. A passion for History led her to obtain her Masters in History.
Mala worked at the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) where she gained experience working with teenagers, helping them to navigate the college application process and gain work experience over the summer. She also prepared students for college application interviews and organized several university fairs, which were very well attended.
She is an associate counselor at WINGS Counseling Centre- a non-profit organization in Singapore. Mala also works as an independent college counselor helping students with college applications on a pro bono basis. Prior to college counseling, Mala was an educator and taught high school History at schools in India and Singapore.
Mala is a member of the American Counseling Association and the British Psychological Society.
Melissa Gygax, M.Ed.
Melissa was born and raised in French Polynesia and has lived outside of her native island on several continents for 33 years, before returning to Tahiti to found Transitions Without Borders. Her graduate degrees are in Education and Counseling while her undergraduate degrees are in Economics and Business Administration. Her desire to help teenagers develop their strengths and find study paths at universities around the world led her to work at TASIS, an international boarding school in Switzerland, where she held roles in the coordination of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, service-learning, university counseling, and in the creation and development of a leadership program. She was also the guidance, university and career counselor at the International School of Florence (Italy) while working as an independent educational consultant since 2007, and serving students in the local schools in Switzerland, Italy and French Polynesia. Her latest job as a high school counselor is at the American School of Dubai. She has worked with students from around the world and with the IB, AP, French, Italian and Swiss national curricula.
Before becoming a school counselor, Melissa pursued interests and developed skills in several fields, including product design, project management, executive administration, marketing, sales, and teaching, with companies (including her own, which she profitably sold) that belong to the education, pharmaceutical, software, jewelry, apparel and hospitality industries. She is fluent in English, French and Italian, and is a member of NACAC, IACAC, ASCA and HECA. Visit her blog at https://tckeducation.wordpress.com/
Max Gygax, Ph.D.
Max holds a Masters degree in International Finance from the University of San Francisco and a Doctorate in Econometrics and Business Ethics from Trident University in Los Angeles. His professional career includes experience in corporate finance, as Assistant to the Treasurer at Hewlett-Packard Finance in Geneva and Palo Alto, experience in investment banking, as co-Director at Rothschild Treasury in Geneva, experience in entrepreneurship as CFO of a California start-up company, and experience in education, as Business Manager (CFO and COO) at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), the American School of Dubai and Hawaii Preparatory Academy. During the 9 years at TASIS he developed a passion for teaching (AP microeconomics), which extended also to seminar presentations in international finance, business ethics and econometrics at several educational institutions in Europe and America. The overarching theme of his doctorate research and silver-lining of his teaching is the analysis, understanding and application of ethics, integrity and wisdom in business decision-making and behavior. His favorite achievements are the many letters of appreciation and thanks received from students who felt inspired by his classes.
Max has been deeply active in sports and adventures throughout his life. He has competed at high levels on a Swiss ski racing team, in regional tennis championships, volleyball teams, table tennis championships and gymnastics. An avid hiker, he has conquered half of the "3'000ers" (three thousand meters+ peaks) of the South Swiss Alps, traversed many Swiss alpine glaciers and trekked in the Andes. He is a certified GS Swiss ski-instructor, tennis teacher, in-line hockey player and soccer coach. His long-lived sports devotion is the game of ice-hockey, which he practiced for over 30 years on different teams and championships. His passion is to expose students to challenging cognitive research, balancing academic quest with engaging physical exercise. Max is currently the CFO at Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
Max holds a Masters degree in International Finance from the University of San Francisco and a Doctorate in Econometrics and Business Ethics from Trident University in Los Angeles. His professional career includes experience in corporate finance, as Assistant to the Treasurer at Hewlett-Packard Finance in Geneva and Palo Alto, experience in investment banking, as co-Director at Rothschild Treasury in Geneva, experience in entrepreneurship as CFO of a California start-up company, and experience in education, as Business Manager (CFO and COO) at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), the American School of Dubai and Hawaii Preparatory Academy. During the 9 years at TASIS he developed a passion for teaching (AP microeconomics), which extended also to seminar presentations in international finance, business ethics and econometrics at several educational institutions in Europe and America. The overarching theme of his doctorate research and silver-lining of his teaching is the analysis, understanding and application of ethics, integrity and wisdom in business decision-making and behavior. His favorite achievements are the many letters of appreciation and thanks received from students who felt inspired by his classes.
Max has been deeply active in sports and adventures throughout his life. He has competed at high levels on a Swiss ski racing team, in regional tennis championships, volleyball teams, table tennis championships and gymnastics. An avid hiker, he has conquered half of the "3'000ers" (three thousand meters+ peaks) of the South Swiss Alps, traversed many Swiss alpine glaciers and trekked in the Andes. He is a certified GS Swiss ski-instructor, tennis teacher, in-line hockey player and soccer coach. His long-lived sports devotion is the game of ice-hockey, which he practiced for over 30 years on different teams and championships. His passion is to expose students to challenging cognitive research, balancing academic quest with engaging physical exercise. Max is currently the CFO at Hawaii Preparatory Academy.