The HSI team is made up of experts in the fields of education, languages and student welfare, and we all share a common goal: to provide the highest level of service to each and every one of our students.

Based in our offices in Brighton (UK) and Dublin (Ireland), we are a diverse team with a variety of skills and experience. Some of us have been working on high school study abroad programmes for over 20 years, others are much newer to the education industry but are no less passionate about what we do.

Use these pages to ‘meet’ our team, and please feel free to contact any one of us if you would like to know more about who we are, what we do, or how we do it.

Declan Millar

Position: Managing Director

dmillar@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

New Business Partnerships

I have been in this business for over 30 years. I started out as a teacher in Ireland, then a teacher of English in some other countries, and finally as a director in a language school in Dublin – before starting my first company, ETE (Education Through English) in 1988, providing high school programmes in Ireland. Those of you who know me are familiar with what happened after that, but in 2002 I started my new company, HSI, in both Ireland and the UK. I have also been involved in high school operations and start-ups in the US, Canada and Australia.

I love this business and have a great network of friends and colleagues in all corners of the world. I love the impact that a high school experience has on kids and their parents and families.  This keeps me motivated and interested.

I have been fortunate with a great team of colleagues – some have been with me for 30 years and they make my life easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Although I spend a lot of time travelling, I love home life and I play really bad golf when I can.

John Carr

Position: Head of HSI

jcarr@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Support with any issue or question that pertains to HSI Ireland

With a B.Ed degree and an MA in Education, Culture and Policy, I have over 23 years of experience in Education, Management, Business Development, and Operations roles, nationally and internationally.

A former Secondary Teacher and Principal, I have worked across secondary- and third-level schooling, as well as the English Language (ELE) Sector. I have served in Commercial, Operational and Business Development Director roles in two global education recruitment and teacher training businesses, with apex responsibility for stakeholder engagement, driving growth trajectories and improvement agendas, as well as generating strategic commercial opportunities and partnerships.

I am the Head of HSI, Ireland, which means I lead and support the team in our Dublin HQ. If I am not working from our office, I am visiting schools, host families, and students across the country to ensure that our service levels are the best that they can be and that we continue to be the best in the business.

Outside of work, I try to travel regularly but balance the separation anxiety I feel from being away from my French bulldog, Tashe (my furbaby)!

Paul Madden

Position: Finance Manager

pmadden@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Finance Enquires

My role involves managing agency and student accounts, the day-to-day financial operations of Head Office.  In addition I oversee the area of IT and technical support.

I love working with a small team of people, having been part of larger organisations in the past.  The friendly, supportive environment of HSI makes it easier to get up in the morning and “go to work”.

Before HSI I worked in marketing and corporate affairs with a major international retail chain as well as in my father’s small wholesale business.

I play drums for fun … it keeps me sane!!

Jane McQueen

Position: Student Services Co-ordinator

jmcqueen@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Services

I graduated from Marino Institute of Education in 2016, (accredited by Trinity College Dublin) with a degree in Education Studies. I had the opportunity to study adult, adolescent, and childhood education, as well as psychology, sociology, and much more! In my spare time I enjoy travelling, good food, and any kind of live music!

In my time at HSI, I have worked in different roles – starting as Placements Assistant in 2020, and soon after, progressing into the roles of Student Advisor and Placements Manager.

I have recently transitioned into the role of Student Services Manager. I thoroughly enjoy being in a more person-centred role, speaking with our students and getting to see more of Ireland when visiting them, so I look forward to this new opportunity!

Gustavo Cumpri

Position: Placement Manager

gcumpri@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Placement Support in Ireland

Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Gustavo Cumpri, proudly working as Placements Manager (formerly a student advisor) here at HSI Ireland. Though I was born in Brazil, Ireland has truly captured my heart as my home.

I am also an avid traveler, having explored diverse countries around the world. These journeys have not only broadened my horizons, but also deepened my appreciation for the unique cultures and traditions of each part I have visited.

Beyond my role and travels, my heart belongs to my family – my loving wife and precious daughter. They are my constant inspiration and motivation in all that I do.

I am thrilled to be a part of the HSI team, and I look forward to assisting my students in their educational journey!

Ariadna Jordan

Position: Marketing Executive

ajordan@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Marketing

Hello, my name is Ariadna, the Marketing Executive at HSI. Originally from Barcelona (Spain), I made my way to the US at a young age to pursue a BSc in Business Administration (Marketing) while competing as a tennis athlete. My love for travel, sports, and immersing myself in different cultures led me to kickstart my professional journey as a Marketing Intern at HSI after my years in America, and since then, I became the Marketing Executive here. What makes HSI truly special to me is our dynamic, passionate, and super fun team. Working in an education company makes the nature of the job so rewarding – I love seeing the accomplishments of our students during their time in Ireland!

Joe Shearer

Position: Solution Management

jshearer@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

IT Solutions & Development

I have worked with HSI since 2012 and became an employee in 2018. During my time with HSI, I have helped to implement many solutions including setting up our online application forms, creating an internal management Portal, setting up and managing exchange email accounts and much more. We are working hard to continue to develop new innovative solutions to help us improve service delivery to our partners and customers.

Before I became an employee at HSI I worked for an online solutions company for 7 years creating online solutions for several multinational companies.

When I am not working or looking after my 2 small children, I will either be boxing or resting!

Conor Madden

Position: Student Advisor (Ireland)

cmadden@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Support

My name is Conor Madden and I’m a student adviser with HSI. My role includes ensuring student welfare and enrichment, coordinating with agents and liaising with schools and host families. Prior to my role as a student adviser I worked with HSI in a support capacity in operations and administration.
Outside of work I enjoy occupying myself with fitness in the gym, art with a focus on illustration and hobbyist study of ancient history.

Eileen O’Leary

Position: Student Advisor (Ireland)

eoleary@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Support

My name is Eileen and I am a student advisor at HSI.

I am from Cork, and I have chosen to discover the world at an early age.

I started my career in Ireland as a Mathematics teacher and IT consultant. I then moved to Belgium for a couple of years to work in management consulting. Being immersed in another culture helped me to become fluent in French. I have always loved to be surrounded by different cultures and nationalities.

As a previous HSI host family, we have welcomed students from different nationalities. It is a great experience for both host families and students, providing the student with a unique insight into cultural diversity and enabling them to gain lifelong linguistic skills.

I like to spend my free time golfing, kayaking, cycling, and exploring the beautiful landscape of Ireland!

Adela Tiebo

Position: Student Advisor (Ireland)

atiebo@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Support

Hey there, I am Adela! I graduated in commerce from the University of Vigo in Spain, my hometown where I grew up and made all my memories. I have always been thirsty for adventures and new experiences, which led me to pack my bags and make the move to Ireland over a year ago. Sure, being away from home and loved ones can be a bit of a challenge at times, but the experience has been totally worth it! I have always clicked with exchange students because I was one of them during my teenage years. I know firsthand what it is like to live in another country and immerse yourself in a different culture. That’s why I’m so passionate about my role at HSI – whether it is lending a helping hand when needed or simply witnessing students embrace every moment and carry those memories for a lifetime. In my free time, you will find me traveling, hanging out with friends, or savoring some Spanish cuisine, which I miss the most!

Rachael Burns

Position: Student Advisor (Ireland)

rburns@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Support

Hi, my name is Rachael Burns and I am an HSI advisor. I live in Tipperary, I am married, and have 2 children. In my spare time, I love to travel and go for nice meals when I get time. I have a few dogs and I love them with all my heart – they go everywhere with us: from spins in the car to walks to weekends away. We have a mobile home near the beach where we stay most weekends and most of the summer. I also love to travel to warm countries like Spain and I always try to get as much travel in the year as I possibly can. I Iove my work here at HSI – it is lovely to work with such a good team of people!

Chiara Kenny

Position: Student Advisor (Ireland)

ckenny@hsinet.org

Contact me for:

Student Support

My name is Chiara Kenny, and I am a student advisor at HSI. I have worked with HSI for many years as a host mother and I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of students from all around the world, which has been incredibly rewarding.

Prior to working for HSI, I have worked in the travel industry for twenty years. Travel is my passion, I love to travel with my family, exploring new cities and different cultures. My hobbies include walking, sea swimming, hiking and playing the piano!