Our Team - Leveraging 100+ Years of Collective Expertise to Shape the Future of English Language Assessment
Sandy Bhangal
Former Executive Director, Strategy & Global Growth, ETS International UK
Sandy Bhangal is a recognised leader in English language assessment and international education standards. With over 20 years of experience in high-stakes testing, regulatory alignment, and strategic development, she has advised governments, universities, and sector bodies on the design and validation of English language qualifications used for admissions, visas, and global recruitment.
At ETS International UK, Sandy led global growth strategy and institutional partnerships, advancing the credibility and reach of English language testing across diverse markets. Her work supported compliance with national frameworks and enhanced trust in assessment outcomes.
Currently at ELSAA, Sandy provides independent reviews of English language tests and leads initiatives to strengthen language assessment literacy across the sector. Her expertise supports universities and policymakers in ensuring that assessments meet rigorous standards of validity, reliability, and fairness—critical for safeguarding institutional integrity and student success.
She is a trusted advisor to compliance teams, admissions offices, and international recruitment managers, helping them navigate evolving regulatory landscapes with confidence and clarity.
Stephen Carey
Founder & Senior Advisor, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA), Former Global Head of Relationship Management, IELTS
Stephen Carey is a recognised global marketing and partnerships leader with 20+ years of success driving growth in English language assessment and supporting international education standards, and in supporting international education standards. Stephen has worked with governments, sector bodies and institutions to ensure they incorporate English Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) into their decision-making. He has a wide range of experience in the ELT and publishing industries.
At British Council, Stephen led the strategic marketing for IELTS, building, leading, nurturing and promoting the brand across the globe. He worked with advisers, agents, counsellors, test centres and universities to encourage increased access to robust English language testing and supported new ventures that reinforced integrity and reliability in this space.
Currently at ELSAA, Stephen acts as Senior Advisor on partnership development and promotion of the authority, ensuring increased transparency and visibility for rigorous standards of validity, reliability, fairness and security – critical for ensuring the duty of care to international students, as well as ensuring long-term success for institutions.
Stephen is highly regarded internationally as an expert in promotion and partnership development, as well as being a passionate advocate for quality in international education, and soft power in international relations.
In addition to his work at ELSAA, Stephen provides consultancy to organisations across the sector, supporting initiatives that strengthen quality and integrity in international education.
Karen Ottewell
Acting Director of the Language Centre & Director of Academic Development & Training for International Students
Karen brings over 25 years of experience in Higher Education, having taught in both the UK and Germany. Since 2008, she has led the Academic Development & Training for International Students programme at the University of Cambridge, where she directs a team dedicated to equipping international students with the academic skills essential for success in English-speaking university environments.
Her research explores how cultural backgrounds shape academic writing and how proficiency in academic English is assessed. As a member of the English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA), Karen applies her deep expertise to independently evaluate English language tests and spearhead initiatives that advance language assessment literacy. Her unwavering commitment to rigorous standards in language testing plays a vital role in enabling institutions to make well-informed, impartial decisions.
Mir Rahman
EdTech, Assessment & Digital Transformation Expert | Former Global Head of Exams Systems, British Council
Mir is an EdTech and Digital Transformation expert with 18+ years of experience modernising exam and IT systems in 100+ countries. At the British Council, he led 24 professionals and multiple agile teams, managing digital exam services across six continents with a multi-million technology budget. He embedded SAFe across a 60-member team to increase delivery velocity by 25%, redesigned Development teams to improve headcount efficiency by 50%, and introduced AI-powered and citizen-development initiatives that reduced delivery cycles by 30%. Mir oversaw platforms supporting 330,000+ exam sessions and streamlined 2M+ registrations annually, while standardising collaboration tools to boost team productivity by 20%.
A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and SAFe practitioner, he delivers scalable, AI-enabled learning ecosystems and high-impact education solutions that strengthen institutional resilience and improve outcomes for learners worldwide.
Reem Akl
Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)
Reem Akl is a senior digital leader with over 15 years of experience driving digital transformation, global content operations, and high-impact digital strategy across the GCC, MENA, and international markets. Her career spans large-scale content governance, UX optimisation, and performance-driven digital programs delivered across more than 100 country markets.
At the British Council, Reem spent over a decade progressing from Regional Communications Coordinator to Global Digital Content & Project Manager, ultimately leading global digital operations across 100+ country websites. She directed digital strategy, content governance, and UX optimisation initiatives that improved engagement and conversion across key markets, while overseeing multi-platform CMS operations on Drupal, Sitecore, and WordPress. She built and managed global SEO and analytics programs using tools such as Google Analytics, SEMrush, and Tag Manager, and led digital capability training for international teams, raising digital maturity across regions. During this time, she also served as Global Digital & Project Manager based in Dubai, supporting digital transformation across the GCC.
Earlier in her career, as Regional Digital Content Manager for MENA, Reem led digital content strategy and e-commerce communication across 17 countries, managed CMS migrations and UX enhancement projects, and launched community management initiatives that expanded regional digital reach.
Reem currently works as a Digital Marketing Manager at a global cybersecurity and risk management company, where she leads digital marketing initiatives, content strategy, and performance optimisation to support the organisation’s brand presence and business objectives across international markets.
She holds an MIBA in Global Marketing from ESLSCA Business School in Paris, a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the UK’s Institute of Direct & Digital Marketing, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Her certifications also include Digital Marketing Strategy (CIM UK), UX Design (School of UX UK), and Google Analytics & Tag Manager (Ivantage UK), among others. Reem is also a Professional Certified Trainer and continues to share her expertise as a Digital Marketing Instructor at the French University in Egypt.
Courtney Bailey
Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)
Courtney Bailey is an English language lecturer, international teacher trainer and instructional designer who spearheads globally focused educational programs at the intersection of language education, accessibility and faculty and program development.
She teaches university-level English and linguistics courses and works across disciplines to strengthen teaching and learning at scale in international and cross-cultural contexts.
She serves in leadership roles with NAFSA in Intensive English Programs and collaborates with educators, embassy partners and senior university leadership, including rectors and provosts, to support institutional capacity building through U.S. Department of State initiatives, Peace Corps virtual service and international partnerships.
Her professional interests include language conflict and language rights, accent studies, bias and power dynamics in the classroom, ethical AI integration in language education, language assessment and aviation English. She is ABD in a PhD program in Education specializing in English language learning.
Dahlia Younan
Associate, English Language Standard Advisory Authority (ELSAA)
Dahlia has had an extensive career recruiting international students into Canada, and has also worked at the British Council supporting the IELTS portfolio, managing relationships with stakeholders across Canada. She also had the joy of supporting organizations who support test takers on their journey to Canada. Dahlia is now transitioning back into university life, taking up an exciting new position at York University. She is a proud Torontonian, born and raised, and an avid tea drinker – Earl Grey being her favourite
