Directors - Kipinä Corporate Profile

Kieran Galvin CMgr FCMI, FCIM, MIoD, FRSA is the originator of the Kipinä concept and brand and has more than 25 years of business experience across the UK, Australia, and the Middle East. His entrepreneurial leadership has been instrumental in Kipinä’s global expansion through franchise partnerships and joint ventures.

Designated a Chartered Manager (the highest management qualification in the UK), Kieran’s credentials also include Fellowships in prestigious organisations such as the Chartered Management Institute, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Royal Society of Arts, and membership of the Institute of Directors (MIoD), reflecting his dedication to innovation and community impact.

Jeannine Laubner MAT is a fourth-generation educator with over 20 years of experience, Jeannine Laubner holds a Master’s degree in Teaching and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In addition she holds  Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development certification.

As President of Global Education at Kipinä, Jeannine has been instrumental in developing and refining the Kipinä Enhanced Finland Curriculum, ensuring its adaptability across 15 countries and eight languages. She has led the creation of innovative teaching tools and professional development programs, empowering over 500 teachers worldwide.

Jeannine’s deep understanding of pedagogy and psychology underpins her commitment to fostering high-quality early education and supporting Kipinä’s mission to set new standards in global preschool learning

She is the author of “Millennials Guide To Early Childhood Education.”

Ali Irfan MBA is credited with setting up the first Kipinä school in the UAE and establishing and operating a successful proof of concept. With an MBA from Yale and an undergraduate degree from Wharton, Ali has 20 years of experience in senior management positions for globally renowned Telecommunications-Media-Technology firms. He has previously worked as a strategy consultant in the US market focusing on the operational enhancement of fortune 500 companies.