Commun

Carla McRae

ZIS Meets

It’s been great to see so many alums at our recent events. As well as a series of get-togethers in the USA – at the University Club of San Francisco, the Penn Club of New York and the University Club of Chicago – in March, there was a trip down memory lane and a chance to reconnect at a 1980s virtual reunion in February, hosted by Jutta Heller, Class of 1991.

Additionally, around 30 alumni met with Director Lisa Lyle and Director of Community Relations Michaela Seeger at the Oxford and Cambridge Club in London in January, and more than 40 caught up with their former teachers at the holiday party in Zurich in December.

zis.ch/one-zis-community/alumni

Alain Meier named in “40 under 40” list

Alain Meier, Class of 2012 (2004-12), has been named one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40” for his work to improve security and trust in finance and crypto.

A Stanford graduate, Alain co-founded Cognito, a tech firm that simplifies consumer and business identity verification through cutting-edge technology integrations and partnerships. He developed a platform that expedites and secures identity verification, helping fintech companies and their customers prove that their users are who they say they are.

• ZIS Global Community

Are you one of the more than 1,000 members of our community already signed up? Discover the networking benefits of our new community platform at globalcommunity.zis.ch

• Spinnergut Villa

A new booklet telling the story of the Spinnergut Villa, original home of AISZ and our Middle School until last June, has been published in German by the Kilchbgerg Gemeinde (council). zis.ch/spinnergut-villa

• Wedding bells

Congratulations to two of our alumni who recently got married. Kate Monson, Class of 2015 (2012-15), and Cullen Clancy, Class of 2015 (2007-15) wed at a stunning event in Chicago in October, with extra ZIS interest provided by the fact that former History teacher Andreas Meitanis (1986-2018) presided at the ceremony.

• ZIS Foundation

Based in the US and want to support our students and alumni? The ZIS Foundation supports charitable giving, through tax-deductible donations, to ensure a bright future for ZIS students. We are immensely grateful to Board members Marten Hoekstra, Lisa Lyle, Philip Ryan, Jennifer Saxe and Brian Scanlon for their ongoing support. zisfoundation.com

Got something to say? Tell us your news by emailing alumni@zis.ch⁠

Tributes

• Jon McLeod

Upper School Principal 2006-11

Former Upper School Principal Jon passed away in December following a long-term illness, leaving his wife, Jo Leatham, former Lower School Assistant Principal, and children Lachlan and Tess (Class of 2008). Jo wrote that Jon had “valued his time at ZIS so very much”.

• Lesley Peake

Upper School Counselor 2012-20

Lesley passed away in November. She was described as a “wonderful mentor to many students” and “a sunshine soul through and through”. Our thoughts are with Geoff, their children, Megin and Brendan, and her mother, Barbara.

• Kent Hales

AISZ English and History 1978-81

Former AISZ teacher and coach Kent Hales (English, History 1978-81) passed away in October, leaving his wife, Janet and children, Jeremy, Travis, Melissa and Tyler. He is described as “a very special man”, by Michele (Payne) Koch, Class of 1981, “so open, generous and gregarious. And the students really loved him.”