Lili Jia
Head of School

With 32 years of experience spanning public, bilingual, and international education, Mdm. JIA is an exceptional leader in the field. She has played a pivotal role in the accreditation and promotion of international educational programs and is a seasoned practitioner and pioneer of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. This diverse background positions her to guide Dipont Huayao Collegiate towards a new world of education. Through years of educational exploration, Principal Jia has developed the “Three-Dimensional International Education Model,” built on three pillars: academic excellence, intercultural understanding, and social responsibility. She believes that great education is a symphony of humanity — one that strengthens knowledge and fosters innovation, builds a framework for global perspectives, and guides students to embrace social responsibility. For Principal Jia, Dipont Huayao Collegiate is a great vessel already under sail. With the patience of a “slow cook,” she nurtures growth; as a “ferryman,” she builds bridges between Eastern and Western cultures; and with the spirit of an “explorer,” she inspires teachers to innovate and students to inquire. Her aspiration is to help every scholar, through their journey of self-discovery — “Who am I?” — confidently arrive at the deeper answer: “What can I bring to the world?”

Yin Meng

Associate Head of Student Life

Ms. Meng completed her secondary education in Europe, earned her undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom, and obtained two master’s degrees from the University of Hong Kong, focusing on student learning, teaching, and educational leadership. She also holds management certificates from the Boarding Schools’ Association and Harvard University. With over 15 years of experience in education, she has been deeply committed to students’ character development and holistic growth. By working closely with students, families, and educators, she strives to build a community where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. She firmly believes that active listening and understanding students’ needs, together with strong collaboration between school and families, are the keys to student success.

Douglas Ray

Associate Head of School (Teaching & Learning)

Secondary Principal (Upper Grades)

Douglas Ray is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in both U.S. boarding schools and China’s bilingual education sector, bringing a unique blend of pedagogical expertise and visionary leadership. After three years teaching in the University of Mississippi’s Department of English, Douglas spent a decade at two prestigious U.S. boarding schools — Indian Springs School and Western Reserve Academy. In addition to teaching English, Latin, and Greek, he played a key role in curriculum development and revision, while also contributing to the successful enhancement of admissions strategies and college counseling programs. A third-generation educator, Douglas transitioned in 2020 from leadership positions at well-established boarding schools to adapting his expertise within Chinese educational contexts. Since then, he has held key leadership roles at several leading domestic international schools. He has deep respect for China’s strong dedication to educational excellence and thrives on creating schools that act as engines of opportunity — empowering students to achieve their fullest potential.

Ryan Li
Principal of Middle Grades

Mr. Ryan Lihas dedicated 14 years to international education, specializing in bilingual instruction in Chemistry and Science. Proficient in IBDP, MYP, AP, and A-Level curricula, he has guided students to achieve multiple awards in international chemistry competitions. With extensive experience in both teaching and curriculum development, he is committed to fostering students’ inquiry skills, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary perspectives — experiences that have also provided a strong foundation for his later leadership in school management. As an educational leader, Principal Li has spearheaded the integration of China’s compulsory education system with international curricula, achieving remarkable outcomes in curriculum innovation, instructional practices, and academic assessment systems. Guided by a philosophy rooted in practicality, differentiated instruction, and cross-cultural collaboration, he has built a supportive culture of teamwork and growth, earning widespread recognition from students, parents, and colleagues alike.

Jacqueline Speer
Principal of Preschool

Ms. Jacqueline Speer holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Macquarie University, Australia. She firmly believes that young children are capable learners—a conviction that has accompanied her throughout her academic journey and has been consistently reaffirmed in her teaching practice, whether in classrooms in Melbourne, Hangzhou, or Shanghai. With years of leadership experience in international and bilingual schools, this unwavering belief has shaped her vision for early childhood education: to build a truly responsive curriculum that recognizes children’s thoughts, ideas, and self-constructed theories as inherently valuable and worthy of in-depth exploration.