LEADERSHIP TEAM

Pam Dion Chief Executive Officer / Founder Pam Dion is one of the original founders of ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions. Her teaching background includes both the traditional face-to-face classroom setting and online formats. Her grade level instruction spans from the primary grades into post-secondary and even master’s level teacher-credentialing programs. She has vast experience in the design, development, and management of a fully accredited online school, as well as in the development and management of Title 1 after-school care programs for public schools. Pam holds a Master of Education from University of LaVerne and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Technology. She is certified as a Reading and Language Arts specialist; she has multiple subject teaching credentials and also holds a CLAD certificate which emphasizes teaching in multicultural environments. At ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions, Pam’s chief responsibilities include the development and support of international relationships with qualified educational institutions, programs and resellers. She also works with her team in the development, management and large-scale logistics of implementation and planning. She works with all of ADVANTAGES’ third-party vendors in all areas of marketing, distribution sales, academic and curriculum integration, legal and technical aspects related to the growth of ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions and the individual components of the program.

Allison is one of the original founders of ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions, LLC. Her background spans across all levels of education and into online school development including the accreditation process and administration support of online and “brick and mortar” schools. Allison is one of the founders and original designers of the ASSIST Platform. She has a broad educational background and has more than a decade of teaching experience at the primary, secondary and university level. She also has experience in online curriculum development for the National University Teaching Department. Allison has a Master of Education from University of LaVerne and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication. She is certified as a Reading and Language Arts specialist; she has multiple subject teaching credentials and also holds a CLAD certificate which emphasizes teaching in multicultural environments. At ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions, her responsibilities include overseeing staff and company management. Allison coordinates and maintains all training programs for both domestic and international partnerships and manages the technical and legal subjects related to ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions.

Sandy is the Head of School and one of the founders and original designers of ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions. She has more than 14 years of experience in post-secondary education with various universities and has held executive level positions. She has served as Dean of Enrollment Management and traveled internationally for top tier universities. She has legislated for equal access for college opportunities and has been instrumental in increasing financial assistance to students domestically. Sandy has served as a multi-term President of the College Admission Counselors Association and served as a board member of the Hispanic Association of Nevada Educators. She is bilingual and has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University. She launched the first online MBA program for a medium size university in Colorado and grew that program substantially over the course of two years. Sandy’s primary responsibilities focus on expanding ADVANTAGES’ curriculum choices and empowering communication between academic partners and student records management units. Her innovation and passion towards ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions is about making a difference for students by integrating technology into education. Sandy is also the registrar for ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions, LLC online school program – ADVANTAGES School International.

Andy is an international Business Strategist with over 30 years of experience in the IT field. Andy is instrumental in supporting the company vision with the technical specifications and implementation of ASSIST Platform features into its comprehensive program. Andy is an executive partner with ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions, joining the team in 2011. Andy has been the co-founder and founder of eight U.S. and global companies. Recognized as a pioneer in IT outsourcing services in Vietnam, Andy designed and developed one of the first online learning systems in the United States. Today, this system currently supports over 150 major financial services firms in North America and Europe. Since partnering with Advantages School International, Andy is fulfilling his dream of building a learning platform for K-12 students worldwide.

Jeffrey Smith is Managing Director and Co-founder of ADVANTAGES Middle East. ADVANTAGES ME, the exclusive partners and regional brand representatives of ADVANTAGES Digital Solutions, offers world class education technology to home education families, and schools across the Middle East and Africa.  
ADVANTAGES Middle East's mission is "to make world class education accessible and relevant to students, families, schools, and communities across the MENA Region." 
Jeffrey has worked in the field of education for more than 20 years.  Specializing in educational technology, business development, and sales management, he has grown profitable organizations in the US and throughout the GCC region. Jeffrey is a native of Columbia, Maryland, USA.
After launching successful collaborations with the US Department of Defense and several private schools in the US, Jeffrey moved to the United Arab Emirates to serve as Founding Director for a large US-based education franchise. He describes business start-up in a new country as the most challenging and rewarding experience of his professional life. Jeffrey has resided in the UAE since 2008.
Jeffrey has a reputation for developing "win-win" partnerships.  He regularly leverages his vast network to support others. He was listed on Which School Advisor - Most Influential in Education for 2018 and KDSL Global - 10 To Know in Education for 2017.

Gloria has been a home educator, organizer and advocate for alternative education for 30 years. In addition to her role with ADVANTAGES Middle East, she remains a highly influential leader in the home education community; organizing community coops, teaching, and consulting. A champion of school choice, Gloria is a sought-after expert at assisting families with curriculum selection and needs-based teaching strategies. In addition to her advocacy, Gloria serves as President of the Abu Dhabi Homeschool Association and Director of the Abu Dhabi Homeschool Co-op. She resides in Abu Dhabi with her husband and two of their sons.

Dr. Audrey M. Lee is currently serving as Director of School Services at Advantages Middle East. Dr. Audrey has experience working with elementary, middle, secondary and college level students. These experiences included direct involvement with students, parents, and community partners. Before joining Advantages Middle East, Dr. Audrey worked with (ATHS) Applied Technology High School in Ajman and Dubai as Academic Vice Principal. She also worked as a teacher, assistant, associate, and building principal before moving abroad. Dr. Audrey earned an (Ed.D) Educational Doctoral Degree from Walden University an (Ed.S), Educational Specialist and (MAT), Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University. She earned a (BBA) from University of Arkansas. During her 20+ years as an educator she was awarded Teacher of the Year, Innovative Educator of the Year and Assistant Principal of the year. She enjoys reading, traveling, walking, and spending time with family and friends. She is an International Charter member in the Arabian Gulf Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A public service sorority.

Azeezah Saheed serves as Executive Administrator for Dubai-based ADVANTAGES Middle East. She is responsible for all facets of front office operations. Azeezah also played a key role in the selection and implementation of systems in use by ADVANTAGES Middle East.
Azeezah is a native of Lagos, Nigeria. After completing her studies at the Yaba College of Technology, she held posts in the Nigerian government. Early in her career, Azeezah was recognized for her strong organization and project management skills, attention to detail, and strong communication skills.
Azeezah moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2015. She worked in the retail and hospitality sector before finding her passion in education. When recently asked about her work in education, she said, "My parents instilled a strong passion for education in me and my sisters from a very young age. At the same time, I was keenly aware that everyone didn't have the same access to a quality education. I love ADVANTAGES because it makes access to a premium quality school accessible for more students than ever before. I am very proud of the work we do!"

Mariam has worked as a classroom teacher and a high school counselor in the traditional classroom setting, besides having worked for over 10 years within online teaching environments. She has a Master of Science in Educational Counseling and possesses a Pupil Public Service Credential, Single Subject Credentials K-12 for Physical Education and Health Science, a Supplementary Credential 7-12 for Social Science, as well as a Teaching Credential issued in 2001. Mariam lends her talents to the ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions team as department head and staff supervisor for many of the school partners. She has been instrumental in the development of ASSIST Platform features for district level, teacher and student support. Additionally, Mariam has taken a title position with the international department providing training and support to international clients. She is also the Lead Trainer for academic partnerships worldwide. She works closely with the development team in the continuous design and expansion of the ASSIST Platform supportive features.

Jen Tynan joins ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions as a military spouse of over 20 years with fifteen years of experience in elementary education. Through her family’s numerous moves, Jen juggled the transferring of her own education along with her children’s. Her frequent relocations and personal experiences provide a unique perspective and deep understanding of the nontraditional student and the importance of online learning. Jen has 15 years of classroom experience in teaching grade levels Kindergarten through sixth grade. Her leadership experience includes the implementation and support of multiple military spouse organizations, sitting on the local high school athletic board of trustees as President, and is the Past-President of Marine Aviation Spouses for the greater Washington DC area. Jen brings valuable experience to ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions with her persistence and passion for student advocacy in a non-traditional academic environment. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of South Carolina. Her position with ADVANTAGES Digital Learning Solutions gives Jen the opportunity to support fellow nontraditional students with a more personal approach to learning.

Suzanne Kaplan-Fonseca is an early detector of potential miscommunications. An experienced, creative, and agile global educator with expertise in teaching, teacher training, instructional design, intercultural communication, and administration, Suzanne has taught English to learners of all ages and levels in the U.S., Japan, and Mexico. Suzanne has presented at regional, national, and international conferences on her original materials and methodologies. Suzanne is committed to client success through rigor, ongoing advising, and customization. She is an innovative thinker and an efficient problem solver who challenges clients to use observation and reflection as two of their most valuable tools. Before joining Advantages Digital Learning Solutions, Suzanne was a Clinical Assistant Professor and Programs Coordinator at New York University, specializing in language education, intercultural communication, program development, and teacher training. In 2022, she founded The Instrumentors – a volunteer organization through which ESOL professionals support displaced professionals’ language and communication needs. Suzanne holds a BA from Skidmore College in Language and Early Childhood Development and an MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT.

Carrie has over twenty years of experience in education. She has earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education and a master of science in curriculum development and instructional technology. As a certified teacher, Carrie has enjoyed educating in secondary school classrooms, preparing students for college entrance exams and applications, and exploring online learning as a synchronous and asynchronous instructor. She brings well-rounded experience with both traditional and non traditional learners of all ages. Her leadership experience includes time working with families and staff as a learning center Director of Education. She now supports school partners for ADVANTAGES as a School Success Manager. Carrie is committed to providing the professional resources and responses for ADVANTAGES international schools to thrive as teaching and learning environments with the ASSIST platform.