Michael Stevenson is a visionary education leader, driving worldwide innovation in policy and programmes. Working with senior policy makers, thought leaders and experts, he has held international and national roles in education across government, industry and media.

Since 2019, Michael has led the OECD High Performing Systems for Tomorrow initiative, bringing together British Columbia (Canada), Estonia, Finland, Germany, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom to co-create new education purposes, policies and practices in an AI world. Developed over a five-year series of international policy dialogues, the Education for human flourishing framework will be published in October 2025. It is already helping shape the future of PISA and influencing policy around the world.

Michael’s focus is now on implementing Education for human flourishing. He will continue to lead the OECD High Performing Systems policy dialogues. He will direct a new Education for human flourishing consultancy, based with Learning Planet Institute. And he will found and lead the Institute of human flourishing at Wellington College in England.

Michael has led education at both Cisco Systems and the BBC. He has also been Director of Strategy, Communications and Technology for the UK Department of Education.

As Superintendent/CEO for the Surrey School District, Mark oversees more than 130 schools, including 105 elementary schools, 21 secondary schools, 5 student learning centres, 3 adult education centres, a distributed/online learning program and numerous inter-agency and satellite programs. Over 80,000 students and 12,000 staff comprise this diverse and highly successful school district with a common vision to prepare our learners to think, creatively and critically, communicate skillfully, and demonstrate care for self and others.

Mark’s core values of respect, integrity, collaboration and communication manifest themselves through a transparent leadership style that empowers others to lead, innovate and attain their full potential. His strong belief in the concept of “challenge up – empower down” has allowed him to work successfully with all stakeholder groups and create a positive organizational culture.