Our Leadership – Colegio Bolívar

Our

Leadership

Dr. Jessica Marie Gilway

Head of School

Dr. Jessica Marie Gilway joined Colegio Bolívar as Head of School in July 2026, bringing extensive experience in international school leadership, educational innovation, and institutional development. Throughout her career, she has served in leadership roles across Latin America and the United States, guiding schools through strategic growth while promoting excellence in teaching and learning.

Before joining Colegio Bolívar, Dr. Gilway served as Executive Director of InterAmerican Academy in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she led important academic transformation initiatives, including the redesign of inquiry-based and experiential learning programs, as well as the creation of an Innovation Lab, among others.

Previously, she served as General Director of Santa Cruz Cooperative School in Bolivia, where she successfully led the school’s reaccreditation process, developed its strategic plan, and oversaw the construction of a new Performing Arts Center. Her professional experience also includes serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Founding Principal of a K–8 language academy, and School Director in the United States.

Dr. Gilway earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University in 2015. She also holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, with dual majors in International Studies and Environmental Studies.

Her leadership philosophy is centered on academic excellence, student-centered learning, innovation, and the development of strong, collaborative school communities.

Diana Toro

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Diana Toro /Business Manager

An Industrial Engineer with a Master’s in Administration and Strategic Management from Universidad Icesi, Diana has more than 18 years of experience in Marketing, Strategy, and Commercial areas. She is passionate about leadership and building high-performance teams. In her current role as Administrative Director / Business Manager, she leads the Marketing, Communications, Admissions, Community Affairs, IT and Information Systems, Transportation and Security, Maintenance, and Construction teams.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

David Fayad / Director of Learning

Director of Learning at Colegio Bolívar since 2015. His thirty-eight years of experience in education, both as a teacher and school administrator, range from preschool to university. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages from Universidad del Valle, a Master’s in English as a Second Language from the University of Arizona, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University. Dr. Fayad is a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy and a Senior Facilitator at the Waters Center for Systems Thinking.

NUÑEZ OLGA LUCIA

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Olga Lucía Nuñez / Financial Director

An Industrial Engineer with a Specialization in Corporate Finance and more than 25 years of experience in financial planning, banking, credit, portfolio management, and financial analysis, with a career spanning diverse economic sectors and Latin American countries. She is an expert in structuring efficient financial and administrative processes, with a focus on resource optimization, budget control, and institutional sustainability. She currently leads the comprehensive management of key processes such as accounting, payroll, billing, portfolio management, procurement, treasury, budgeting, and taxation.

Diana Toro

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Olga Lucía Patiño / Administrative Coordinator

A bilingual lawyer with over 25 years of experience in the educational field, specialized in legal and institutional support. For more than two decades, she has worked at Colegio Bolívar, assisting in the management and compliance of legal and regulatory requirements before government and oversight entities. She combines legal expertise with a deep understanding of the institutional functioning of a bilingual, international, and academically demanding school.

adriana_ledesma_3

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Adriana Ledesma/ Human Resources Coordinator

A Psychologist and Organizational Coach with more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources within multinational companies and consulting in Organizational Development, career transition, and competency assessment and development. She holds certifications in leadership methodologies as well as Executive and Life Coaching.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Carolina Chávez/Head of Community Affairs

A proud Bolivar alumna, mother, and team member, currently serving as Community Affairs. With over 15 years of experience as an Alumni Affairs Officer and Event Specialist, and a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Universidad ICESI, she is passionate about creating and delivering impactful events that inspire, connect, and leave lasting impressions. She thrives on transforming ideas into meaningful experiences — and truly loves what she does.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Maria Juliana Cuello, Extracurricular Activities Coordinator

Business Administrator from Universidad Icesi, with over 18 years of experience in administrative positions within the education sector, as well as in the commercial and trade marketing areas of leading companies in the Colombian market through BPO service provision. She currently leads the Office of Extracurricular Activities, which provides programs that complement the academic offering, managing a team of instructors who deliver more than 28 simultaneous extracurricular activities daily, supported by a staff of over 40 teachers. She also supports the academic sections by coordinating all student trips related to academics, sports, and class retreats. In addition, she oversees the organization of school events such as First Communion, Confirmation, and graduation ceremonies.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Cristian Hernández/IT Coordinator

Systems Engineer with a specialization in Managerial Engineering Systems from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, with over a decade of experience leading multidisciplinary teams in cybersecurity, technology infrastructure, network administration, and digital transformation. Trained in ITIL v4, TOGAF, and IT Project Management. Recognized for a strong focus on innovation, strategic leadership, and the optimization of technological processes aimed at achieving institutional goals.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Daniela Fayad/Admissions Leader

As a Colegio Bolivar alumna with a deep sense of pride and belonging in our school, she earned her degree in psychology from Universidad Javeriana, a degree in education from Universidad San Buenaventura, and a master’s degree in educational psychology from Universidad Internacional de La Rioja. She previously spent five years in our Preprimary section, working first as a co-instructor and later as a homeroom teacher, building exceptional rapport with students, parents, colleagues, and the administration. Stepping into this role in August 2026, she brings a thorough understanding of our institutional culture and processes, as well as the essential support families need when joining our community—all delivered with a positive, proactive, and empathetic approach.

Diana Toro

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Tc (RA) Andrés Calderón Polanía, Security & Transportation Coordinator

Professional in Military Sciences with an emphasis on Logistics Management. Holds specializations in Security and National Defense, as well as in Government Contracting. Certified Private Security Consultant by the Superintendence of Surveillance and Private Security, and Internal Auditor in the Road Safety Management System under ISO 39001 standards.

Diana Toro

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

José Antonio Arana/ Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Social Communicator with a specialization in Social Management and International Cooperation, and a Master’s degree in Cultural Management. He has 25 years of experience developing and implementing communication strategies in national and international organizations and projects, where he has strengthened knowledge management and promoted collaborative work among diverse communities and stakeholders from multiple countries. He currently coordinates communication and marketing initiatives to enhance the image, reputation, and positioning of our educational community.

Diana Toro

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor

Diego Arias/Maintenance and Projects Coordinator

Civil Engineer from Universidad del Valle, with a specialization in Budgeting and Construction Control, and more than 35 years of professional experience. For the past 27 years, he has been part of Colegio Bolívar, where he has led and coordinated major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Atelier, El Nido, and Block J; the expansion of the Swall Auditorium; the structural reinforcement of the Library and Block I; the shielding of 12 buildings; as well as multiple renovations and facility upgrades. He is currently overseeing the development of the new sports complex and the Elementary School gym.