Texas Council for International Studies

Karen Phillips

Board President
Karen Phillips is the founding Executive Director of Texas IB Schools (TIBS). She holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington and a M.Ed. from the University of North Texas. She has served on multiple boards including the Commissioner’s Council for Gifted and Talented and currently serves on the Board of ConnecTeach.

Walter Sorensen

Vice President of Operations
Walter Sorensen is the Head of School at Alcuin School in Dallas, Texas. He recently served on the Board of ISAS (Independent Schools of the Southwest) and has served on the Boards of other independent schools. A native of Houston, Mr. Sorensen earned his B.S. at Utah State University and his M.S. in Educational Administration at the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Todd Kettler

Vice President of Membership
Dr. Todd Kettler is an experienced International Baccalaureate (IB) educator and currently serves as an Associate Professor and Department Chair in Educational Psychology at Baylor University, where he specializes in gifted education, creativity, and curriculum design for talent development. With a career spanning over two decades in advanced academics and gifted education, Dr. Kettler's work focuses on promoting equitable access to gifted programs, fostering critical thinking, and advancing innovative approaches to education. He is a prolific author with numerous peer-reviewed publications and books, as well as an experienced conference presenter and keynote speaker, recognized for his contributions to understanding and supporting gifted and advanced learners.

Kile Brown

Vice President of Membership
Kile Brown is a seasoned Business Development and Sales Leader with a distinguished background, beginning with his education at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Systems Engineering. Known for building new business from the ground up, Kile excels in strategic partnerships, product marketing, and leading complex projects. He has driven significant revenue growth and implemented integrated strategies across industries like IoT, telecom, and digital security. Combining technical expertise in emerging technologies such as eSIM, WebRTC, and IoT with strong team leadership, Kile is recognized for his results-driven approach and dedication to client success.

Vacant Director

Pending Board Approval

Ashley Hesseltine

Secretary to the Board
Ashley Hesseltine is an experienced International Baccalaureate (IB) educator with eight years at Alcuin School, where she teaches MYP World History and DP History. She also serves as the Extended Essay Coordinator and supervises the Alcuin Travel Program and Student Council. Previously, she taught Social Studies and coached track and volleyball at Medrano Middle School in Dallas ISD. Ashley holds a B.A. in History from Texas A&M University and an M.A. in History from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Janet Bubert

Legal Counsel to the Board
(Bio coming soon)