Alain Sykes

she/her/hers

Program Director

Alain Sykes brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion to her role as Program Director of Shanti Alliance. With a distinguished career as an educator, school administrator, Dean of Equity and Social Impact, and currently as Director of Accreditation for the Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), Alain’s work is informed by her leadership across diverse educational settings. Her lived experiences with race and culture, along with her academic achievements—including a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and Multicultural Education—shape her holistic approach to fostering inclusive learning environments.

Passionate about integrating equity into every aspect of education, Alain believes that applying an equity lens—through both practices and policies—is essential to creating schools where everyone can learn, thrive, and show up fully. Her vision for DEIB work within Shanti Alliance emphasizes relationship, collaboration, and the celebration of the diverse identities, experiences, and cultures that enrich our families, schools, and communities.

As Program Director, Alain leads the development of program themes, facilitates strategy meetings, and collaborates closely with the Shanti Alliance team and member schools. She is motivated by a deep belief that education is a transformative pathway to creating meaningful change—both within ourselves and in the world around us.

Outside of work, Alain enjoys reading, writing, and connecting with family and friends. Her love for exploration is reflected in her experiences living in five different countries, which bring a rich global perspective to her work and life.