Following her graduation from Marist Brothers International School in 2005, Ai Tanimizu earned a bachelor’s degree from York University and a master’s degree from the University of Toronto in Canada. A global citizen at heart, she is committed to strengthening health systems so that people everywhere can access high-quality health services when they are most needed.

Her career has taken her to work in six different countries. Most recently, she served as Technical Officer for Nursing and Midwifery at the World Health Organization, South-East Asia Regional Office before moving into a global role with the International Council of Nurses, during which she also undertook a consultancy with the Asian Development Bank. Across both her professional and personal life, she has traveled to more than 40 countries, broadened her perspective, built lasting connections around the world, and enjoys watching her son become ever more mischievous.

Kouki Mogam was part of the MBIS community from Kindergarten through to his graduation in 2025. Growing up at Marist, he developed a deep appreciation for the school’s cultural diversity and inclusive spirit.

With a mixed heritage–Taiwanese and Nepalese–and having been raised in Japan, Kouki initially felt he might struggle to find a sense of belonging. However, at Marist, he was always embraced for who he is. Supported by his teachers and classmates, he found a community that felt like family, where his unique background was both valued and celebrated.

Over time, Kouki came to recognize that the warmth and acceptance he experienced at MBIS is not always the norm elsewhere. This realization deepened his appreciation for the school, which he sees as more than just an academic institution, but a truly inclusive community where everyone is accepted.

After graduating from Marist in 1979, Ken Deur attended the University of San Diego for a year before transferring to Chapman University, where he earned a BA in Film and Television Production. Although he initially aimed to pursue live-action production, he joined the animation studio DIC Entertainment in Los Angeles in 1984 to explore a new direction. Starting as a Production Assistant, he steadily worked his way up to Associate Producer.

In 1991, he joined Warner Bros. Animation at its inception, beginning as Manager of Overseas Production and eventually rising to Vice President of Production. After a decade with the studio, he departed in 2001 and continued his career as an independent producer. During this time, he worked on a variety of projects, including dubbing numerous Japanese anime series into English for U.S. audiences.

In 2011, he joined Marvel Animation Studios as Vice President of Production, a role he held for five years. He has since returned to his work as an independent producer, continuing to contribute to the film and animation industry.

Shweta Aggarwal is an author, speaker, and leading anti-colourism activist confronting one of the world’s most normalised yet unspoken forms of discrimination. Through her work, she challenges deeply ingrained bias and advocates for those affected by colourism. Her insights have been featured in Psychology Today, Brown Girl Magazine, and She The People TV, and she has delivered talks for organisations including Linklaters, Ernst & Young, and New York University.

Before focusing on social advocacy, Shweta built a celebrated creative career. She founded the Bollywood dance company Threebee, leading it to national recognition, including a semi-finalist appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. She is also the author of the Dev and Ollie children’s book series, now used in schools and libraries worldwide. In recognition of her contribution to the arts, she received the Asian Women of Achievement Award and was invited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace during the UK–India Year of Culture.

Nana Obayashi grew up in Kobe, Japan, and attended MBIS from kindergarten through 12th grade. She later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to study Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

After working as an aerodynamics engineer in the automotive and aviation industries in the United States and Germany, she completed her PhD at EPFL in Switzerland in 2025. In 2026, she joined New York University as an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, where she founded the Prema Lab, a research group that develops bio-inspired robots designed to move efficiently and adapt to real-world environments.

During his 12 years at MBIS, Junwon Alex Hur developed the confidence to think critically, ask questions, and step beyond his comfort zone. The school’s supportive environment enabled him to balance his academic pursuits with competitive speed skating, without compromising either passion.

Surrounded by a diverse community and encouraging teachers, he cultivated a strong sense of curiosity, resilience, and global perspective, qualities that continue to shape his journey at Cornell University and beyond.