Elani McDonald is an experienced international educator and school leader with over 20 years of experience across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. She currently serves as Secondary School Principal at Qatar Academy Sidra, a Qatar Foundation school, where she leads teaching and learning, curriculum development, and school improvement initiatives. 

An active member of the International Baccalaureate community, Elani has served as an IB workshop leader, evaluator, programme reviewer, curriculum contributor, and senior examiner. She is passionate about concept-based learning, inquiry-driven education, and inclusive practices that ensure all learners can access, engage with, and demonstrate deep understanding. 

Elani has facilitated professional learning for educators worldwide and is committed to supporting schools in creating learning environments that foster curiosity, belonging, agency, and meaningful learning for every student.