Mr. Siena is currently the Deputy Director for Programme and Development of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMES).
Mr. Siena has served as the Director IV of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), Department of Education, the Philippines for almost seven (7) years. He supported the teachers, school leaders and other teaching -related personnel of the Department of Education in the Philippines by ensuring that they are provided with relevant, responsive, and high quality professional development opportunities.
Mr. Siena rose from the ranks starting as a classroom teacher for more than 14 years. He began his leadership journey in the Department of Education as an assistant schools division superintendent and worked his up way to being schools division superintendent, assistant regional director and regional director in the Department of Education.
He holds three (3) master’s degrees – Master of Education major in English from UP in the Visayas (1997), Master in Communication Studies with Distinction under the NZAID scholarship from Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand (2005) and Master in Development Management from Asian Institute of Management (2010).
Dr. Paula Burns is the fourth president and CEO of Langara College located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Paula has demonstrated innovation in leadership that prioritizes diversity and inclusivity, collaboration and community building, and the ability to cultivate a progressive, positive, and welcoming culture.
Paula has established herself as an active leader locally, provincially, and nationally. She is committed to advancing education and creating a safe and respectful learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. Since joining Langara, she has overseen the development of the College’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Framework, Strategic Enrolment Plan, Student Success Plan, and the College’s new Strategic Framework for 2025 – 2028.
In addition, Paula is the incoming chair of the Council of Presidents of BC Colleges after serving as its vice chair for a year. Previously she served as the board chair of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). She also served on their National Indigenous Education Advisory Committee as the governance committee chair who developed CICan’s Indigenous Education Protocol.
Paula has a Respiratory Therapy diploma from Fanshawe College, a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo, a M.Ed. from Central Michigan University, a Ph.D. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto, and an MBA from Royal Roads University.
Dr. Tim Loreman joined CUE in 2003 as a professor in the Faculty of Education. He is known around the world for his work in inclusive education and pedagogy, and holds a Diploma in Teaching from Monash University, Graduate Diploma in Special Education from Deakin University, Master of Education from Deakin University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education Psychology from Monash University. Prior to being installed as CUE’s eighth President and Vice-Chancellor, he served as Vice-President Academic and Provost.
Under his leadership, CUE has grown into a place of spirit and discovery, offering students from around the world a boutique learning experience that prioritizes wellness, curiosity, and active citizenship
Dr. Nathalia Holtzman is the Associate Provost for Innovation and Student Success at Queens College, City University of New York, and an Associate Professor of Biology. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto and her PhD from the University of Oregon. A developmental biologist, she joined Queens College in 2005, where her research has focused on heart development and aquatic toxicology.
Before her current role, Dr. Holtzman served as Chair of the Biology Department and Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. As Associate Provost, she oversees the Learning Commons, Writing Center, Office of Experiential Education, Center for Career Engagement and Internships, First-Year Experience, Office of Honors and Scholarships, and the Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (ACE) program. Her current priorities include building a Transfer Hub to improve institutional pathways, investing in experiential learning, and scaling data-informed practices that close equity gaps.
Under Dr. Holtzman’s leadership, Queens College has achieved measurable gains in student success and equity. The number of peer tutoring sessions has more than doubled—surpassing 10,000 annually—while the introduction of math recitations has led to a 10% increase in average course grades among participating students. Her office has secured over $1.5 million in scholarships through private philanthropy and competitive grants, expanding access to high-impact academic opportunities. In support of transfer students, Dr. Holtzman has spearheaded efforts to accelerate credit evaluation and course equivalency decisions, reducing time to degree and improving retention for this critical student population.
Looking ahead, Dr. Holtzman is focused on embedding career readiness into the academic experience—strengthening employer partnerships, expanding paid experiential learning, and ensuring all students graduate with a clear pathway to meaningful careers.
