Dr. Avreeayl Womack-O’Neil is a globally minded educational leader and school principal with over 15 years of experience in international schools across the United States, China and Singapore. He holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Missouri, awarded in 2026.
His doctoral research examines how coalition-building strategies utilized by Black male leaders in international schools in East and Southeast Asia advance organizational effectiveness. His work shows that influence in international schools is relational rather than positional — built through trust, transparent communication, mentorship, cultural responsiveness and shared leadership.
He currently serves as Principal of the Preparatory Course for Secondary (PCS), and holds a Global MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey, and a Bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University.
Interview
This interview dates from Dr. Avreeayl Womack-O’Neil’s time as High School Deputy Principal at Stamford American International School. He now serves as Principal of the Preparatory Course for Secondary at the same school.
With more than 75 nationalities represented on campus, and an academic body of more than 30 nationalities, it’s fair to say SAIS has a diverse make-up of both students and staff. Then, of course, there’s the curriculum. “As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, celebrating diversity is fundamental in our approach,” says Avreeayl Womack, Deputy High School Principal at SAIS. “The IB Program promotes the importance of international-mindedness and intercultural understanding, while emphasising multilingualism and engaging on a global scale.”
The school community also benefits from the opportunity to learn from one another. “We are grateful to have a true appreciation for not only different perspectives, but also rich cultural experiences, exchanges and traditions,” explains Avreeayl. “The school’s rich and diverse cultural environment also urges a robust creative and intellectual exchange and stimulates open minds and viewpoints. Students have an opportunity to connect on a deeper level as they are preparing for global engagement as current and future leaders.
“Additionally, our classroom without walls (Field Studies) provides our students with global opportunities of service within Asia and other parts of the world. The PTA, too, has done a wonderful job of creating diversity and intercultural understanding through numerous annual activities that involve the whole school and in all grades – like organising the International Fiesta annually for our students (pictured above).”
quick get to know me from Stamford
Dr. Avreeayl Womack-O'Neil awarded Doctor of Education
Avreeayl Womack-O’Neil has been awarded a Doctor of Education (EdD) by the University of Missouri in 2026. His doctoral research asks how coalition-building strategies utilized by Black male leaders in international schools in East and Southeast Asia advance organizational effectiveness.
Drawing on narrative interviews with school leaders across the region, the study shows that influence in international schools is relational rather than positional. It is built through trust, transparent communication, mentorship, cultural responsiveness and shared leadership rather than through formal authority alone.
Dr. Womack-O’Neil is a dedicated, globally minded international educator with more than fifteen years of experience across the United States, China and Singapore. He currently serves as Principal of the Preparatory Course for Secondary at Stamford American International School in Singapore, where he previously served as High School Deputy Principal. Earlier in his career he was Middle School Dean at Campbell Hall Episcopal in California and Dean of Student Affairs at Fudan International School in Shanghai.
In addition to his doctorate, Dr. Womack-O’Neil holds a Global MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey, and a Bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University. He is conversant in Spanish and Mandarin.
“This research grew out of fifteen years of watching what actually moves a school forward. It is rarely the org chart. It is the coalitions leaders build across departments, cultures and communities, and the trust that holds them together. My hope is that this work gives other school leaders a practical language for that, particularly those leading in contexts where they are the only one in the room who looks like them.”
– Dr. Avreeayl Womack-O’Neil