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School Board & Governance

Strong leadership and governance guiding ASU’s vision, growth, and commitment to excellence.

Oyunsuren Dugarjav

School Board Member
(Managing Director & School Founder)

Mrs. Oyunsuren has been serving as the Managing Director of the American School of Ulaanbaatar since 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Moscow Technological University and brings a strong background in both public administration and private sector leadership.

Before transitioning to the private sector, she dedicated 17 years to public service, working with key government institutions including the Ministry of Social Services, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since 1998, Mrs. Oyunsuren has held senior leadership roles as CEO of several private enterprises and as Chair of the Board of a publicly listed company. Her international exposure includes professional development programs completed in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Her leadership continues to play a vital role in guiding ASU’s growth, operational excellence, and commitment to international standards of education.

Joanne Effa

School Board Member
(Elementary School Principal)

Ms. Joanne Effa has over 30 years of experience in the education sector, working in both public and private institutions in Canada and internationally. She has taught at both the elementary and secondary levels, including English Language Arts, and brings a strong background in diverse educational settings.

Ms. Effa has served in leadership roles in Canada, including within First Nations education and in collegiate programs for international students. She also has experience in adult education, where she trained teachers in English Language Learning instruction through Oxford Seminars.

She earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and has completed a Principal Leadership Program through the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. She holds teaching certifications in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada.

The 2025–2026 academic year marks Ms. Effa’s 14th year at the American School of Ulaanbaatar, where she continues to contribute to the school’s commitment to academic excellence and international education.

Tom Kaualoku

School Board Member
(Secondary School Principal)

Tom Kaualoku has served in several capacities during his tenure at ASU which include elementary homeroom teacher, middle school ELA and Social Studies teacher, Middle School Coordinator, and Secondary School Coordinator. He has also served in several leadership roles outside of the classroom which include Destination Imagination Coordinator, MAP Coordinator, World Scholar’s Cup Coordinator, and he currently represents the first Scouting for America troop in Mongolia as the Charter Organization Chair representative for which ASU is the proud charter of. Most recently, Mr. Kaualoku led the Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC) re-accreditation process. Along with his accreditation team and their diligent work, ASU has successfully accomplished another 6 years of international accreditation under his leadership.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Mr. Kaualoku received his Bachelor’s in Education from Kansas Wesleyan University, earning his initial teaching license in Early-Late Childhood Generalist Grades K-6. He then received his Masters in Science Education in Educational Administration from the University of Kansas, earning his building leadership license in Pre-K-Grade 12.

This will be Mr. Kaualoku’s 13th year in Mongolia, initially coming here as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in 2013 where he served as a Teacher Trainer for English Teachers at School No. 7 in Erdenet, Mongolia from 2013 to 2015. This will be his 10th year with ASU and his third year as the Secondary School’s Principal. He is joined by his beautiful family, his wife, Ms. Ariunzaya, and his daughters, Nani and Uulee.
Group of eight young people posing outdoors on grass in front of a large building with columns and a dome, with fall trees around.Children dressed in Halloween costumes including a wizard with glasses and wand, a ninja, a witch with a starry hat, and a princess carrying pumpkin bags.Large group of children and adults posing smiling in front of a brick building with mountains in the background, some holding colorful flags and a red ball.Four young children dancing on a stage with a colorful blue and purple backdrop, two girls in dresses and two boys in casual clothes.A group of children outdoors watching a girl in a gray hoodie sitting on a chair with her hands raised near her face, while a tennis ball flies toward a bucket mounted on a yellow contraption.Five children playing violins on a stage with music stands and black curtains in the background.Children in Halloween costumes lined up indoors, including a child in a white mask and star-patterned cape, a girl with horns and face paint, and another girl with devil horns holding a red trident.Youth soccer player in turquoise jersey kicks ball toward goal as goalkeeper and two defenders in red and black jerseys try to block.Large group of elementary school children and a teacher posing on the steps in front of a school building with a sign that reads 'ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'.Children and adults gathered in a large indoor space for a science fair with colorful project boards displayed on tables.Group of children dressed in colorful traditional costumes posing indoors, with some making peace signs.Two children posing with peace signs; one with black face paint resembling clown makeup and a red bow tie, the other with braids holding a black bag.Group of young children sitting, one boy wearing red sunglasses and a white patterned shirt, another boy holding sunglasses near his face, and a girl in a yellow top looking at her arm.Two young girls sitting on red chairs, one with a green floral dress and red hair bow, the other in a white dress with a white headband.Group of nine young people standing behind a table with five lit candles and certificates, all making peace signs.Four children performing a traditional dance in colorful costumes with red and black outfits and decorative hats on a wooden stage.Children in animal costumes and festive dress performing on stage with holiday decorations in the background.Orchestra performing on stage with conductor in front, backdrop reads 'ASU Sings in the Rain' with musical notes.Teacher assisting a student using a microscope in a classroom laboratory with other students also working with microscopes.A coach in a red shirt and gray pants blowing a whistle while standing with a soccer ball on a grassy field near three female soccer players in blue jerseys.A teacher and two students attentively observe a liquid experiment in a beaker in a classroom setting.Group of children sitting and standing on a stage holding certificates under a banner that reads 'Spelling Bee Semi-Final'.
Group of eight young people posing outdoors on grass in front of a large building with columns and a dome, with fall trees around.Children dressed in Halloween costumes including a wizard with glasses and wand, a ninja, a witch with a starry hat, and a princess carrying pumpkin bags.Large group of children and adults posing smiling in front of a brick building with mountains in the background, some holding colorful flags and a red ball.Four young children dancing on a stage with a colorful blue and purple backdrop, two girls in dresses and two boys in casual clothes.A group of children outdoors watching a girl in a gray hoodie sitting on a chair with her hands raised near her face, while a tennis ball flies toward a bucket mounted on a yellow contraption.Five children playing violins on a stage with music stands and black curtains in the background.Children in Halloween costumes lined up indoors, including a child in a white mask and star-patterned cape, a girl with horns and face paint, and another girl with devil horns holding a red trident.Youth soccer player in turquoise jersey kicks ball toward goal as goalkeeper and two defenders in red and black jerseys try to block.Large group of elementary school children and a teacher posing on the steps in front of a school building with a sign that reads 'ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'.Children and adults gathered in a large indoor space for a science fair with colorful project boards displayed on tables.Group of children dressed in colorful traditional costumes posing indoors, with some making peace signs.Two children posing with peace signs; one with black face paint resembling clown makeup and a red bow tie, the other with braids holding a black bag.Group of young children sitting, one boy wearing red sunglasses and a white patterned shirt, another boy holding sunglasses near his face, and a girl in a yellow top looking at her arm.Two young girls sitting on red chairs, one with a green floral dress and red hair bow, the other in a white dress with a white headband.Group of nine young people standing behind a table with five lit candles and certificates, all making peace signs.Four children performing a traditional dance in colorful costumes with red and black outfits and decorative hats on a wooden stage.Children in animal costumes and festive dress performing on stage with holiday decorations in the background.Orchestra performing on stage with conductor in front, backdrop reads 'ASU Sings in the Rain' with musical notes.Teacher assisting a student using a microscope in a classroom laboratory with other students also working with microscopes.A coach in a red shirt and gray pants blowing a whistle while standing with a soccer ball on a grassy field near three female soccer players in blue jerseys.A teacher and two students attentively observe a liquid experiment in a beaker in a classroom setting.Group of children sitting and standing on a stage holding certificates under a banner that reads 'Spelling Bee Semi-Final'.