The Parliament Group approaches our partners’ challenges with a collaborative approach informed by Informed analysis and deep market knowledge of the Canadian and American educational systems. We help our clients/partners see further into the uncertainties of the current dynamic market, combining strategic insights and operational best practices in the fields of Higher Education, International Education, and English Language Programming. Our collegial, round-table approach in working with our partners makes us a natural extension of their team.
Meet our consultants
We are educational practitioners with experience from the classroom to the executive leadership team, from tactical to strategic, from launch to re-org, from Language Programs to Pathway and OPM management. Together, we have spent over 100 years of building successful student-centered experiences.

RICK RATTRAY
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
FOCUS AREAS: STRATEGY, FINANCE, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, PRIVATE EQUITY
Rick is a career innovator in the intersection of private and public-sector education, having founded several successful firms in the space before launching the Parliament Group. Rick has held numerous senior executive roles with firms helping to transform the learning landscape, including having launched and managed US university operations for ILSC Education as Founding Managing Director of ILSC GlobalFoundations; developing operational structure for US partnerships for Shorelight Education as SVP of Portfolio Management; building the industry-leading SaaS training provider, ReliasLearning (sold to Bertelsmann), as President of the platform company and then Executive Vice President of Products; leading the US division of Kaplan Global Solutions (university services) as SVP/GM and co-founder of Kaplan’s Online Program Management firm, Colloquy (sold to Everspring). With the pragmatism of an operator with experience running organizations/depts with up to $100M in revenue, Rick brings deep domain expertise in on-ground, blended, and online learning for international audiences. He holds a Masters of Public and Private Management (MPPM) from Yale University.

NADINE BALADI
Executive Advisor & Co-Founder
FOCUS AREAS: ACADEMICS, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS
Nadine thrives at the intersection of People, Education & Operations with specific expertise in Pathways, Juniors, and ESL programming. Her niche spans tactical execution to strategic planning while developing high performing and engaged teams. In Canada and the US, she has dedicated 20+ years to creating transformative language-learning experiences for international students in multiple roles, launching new programs and campuses and setting up numerous Pathway partnerships with US Universities and managing multi-million dollar budgets. She has served as a Commissioner at ACCET, and is currently President of EnglishUSA and, as an expert in the field, has participated on panels at the NAFSA convention, EnglishUSA conferences, TESOL Conventions, and ACCET conference. Nadine holds several degrees from McGill University and University of Toronto, including a Masters in Language Education.

EMILY RUKOBO
Senior Advisor
Emily Rukobo brings over 15 years of noteworthy leadership in global education to The Parliament Group. In her most recent role, she was at the helm of New York Institute of Technology’s Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization-winning global academic programs. Her portfolio included an SEVP-approved pathway program, global campus sites, mobility programs, and international partnerships. In addition, Emily has also been credited with contributions to the use of online learning and digital media in formal and informal education both globally and domestically through her work with RMC Research Corporation, WNET New York Public Media, and the United Nations Secretariat. She has served as an educator in the United States, Spain, and Taiwan.
Emily has also been honored with City & State NY’s Responsible 100 award for her contributions to social justice programming and diversity, equity, and inclusion in global education. She holds a Master’ Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Global Studies both from Sacred Heart University, where she was a member of the women’s ice hockey team. She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two daughters.

Stephen Larsen, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor
Focus areas: International Engagement, Strategic Development, Program Innovation, Product Development, Curriculum Building, and Public-Private Partnerships
Stephen is the CEO of Interlearn Global, a firm dedicated to revolutionizing global education and advises TPG and its clients in creative transnational programming. He has been leading ingenuity and transformation in higher education for thirty years, from professor and administrator at Harvard University to senior executive roles in education multinationals. Long committed to education as a force for personal, social, and global change, Stephen has for more than a decade been building international university programs that serve students and families in their home communities around the world, weaving together the mission objectives of universities and private enterprise as they bring opportunities to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. In addition to his roles with TPG and Interlearn, Stephen is a fellow at Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. He holds a PhD in History from Princeton University.

CHRIS SAUER
Senior Advisor
Healthcare Program Development and Operations
Chris brings 30 years of experience working with partners from every active market in the world. He brings his experience in language acquisition, program design and partnership development to every project. His recent work has focused on pathway programs, medical education and the development of enrollment approaches focused on both student access and success in higher education. Chris received his Masters in Applied Linguistics from Ohio University.

VANESSA ANDRADE
ADVISOR
GLOBAL RECRUITING & MARKETING
Vanessa brings over 20 years of experience working in the international education industry both in the private and public sector, in the United States and overseas and in the language and higher education industry, always being involved in the many aspects and functions of the business. Her experiences are diverse, having dealt with innumerous activities in the areas of student recruitment, program partnership development, agency screening and management, new program development, external relations expansion, program operations, customer service support and implementation, SEVIS and ACCET accreditation among others.

CINDY OCHOA
ASSOCIATE ADVISOR
ASSESSMENTS, ACADEMICS & ACCREDITATION
Cindy is a recognized leader in Intl Ed with deep experience in the development and management of Intensive English Language & University Pathway programs in both public and private sectors. She has held senior leadership positions with NAFSA, EnglishUSA and most recently, as Commission Chair with CEA. She has conducted assessment consulting projects with several US Universities, applying quality assurance standards across both academics and administration and has helped programs and institutions achieve efficiency and high academic quality. Cindy has degrees from the University of Arizona and the SIT Graduate Institute in language education & applied linguistics.

JEANNIE BUSO
ASSOCIATE ADVISOR
Program Implementation, Curriculum & Int’l. Student Success
From Grade A CELTA-certified ESL teacher to 5+ years as Academic Director, Jeannie is an academic and administration specialist with proven leadership and management experience in international education, focusing on ESL, pathway programs and accreditation. She has served as a curriculum specialist for ACCET, done consulting work for the Center for Applied Linguistics and been a regular presenter at EnglishUSA professional conferences. Jeannie is a CELTA-certified ESL instructor and holds a degree from McGill University in Intl Development and Linguistics.
