Xiaohang Sumner
Senior Associate
Hong Kong/China/Canada
Region: Candidates new to Search Associates, who live outside of Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland, Canada and the United States, and who wish to attend the Hong Kong Fair or the Beijing/Shanghai Fair.
Fair Organizer: Hong Kong
Xiaohang has extensive and wide-ranging international K-12 education experience. With an early career in business and consulting, Xiaohang has spent more than 35 years as an IB student, teacher, examiner, teacher trainer and school leader in N. America, Europe and Asia. During 2010-19, she has been the founding director of innovative international schools in China.
She was the Principal Examiner for ToK in Chinese for the IBO and has contributed to the growing interest in critical thinking as a crucial element in education in Chinese international schools. In her capacity as a trainer for teachers and school board members since 2005, she has contributed to the development of many of the current leaders in the field of international education in Hong Kong and China today. She has been voted as one of the ten most influential school leaders in international education in China and is a frequent speaker at international educational conferences.
In addition to training teachers and founding schools, Xiaohang has also been instrumental in the founding of other not-for-profit educational institutions such as the YK Pao Centre for Teaching and Learning (PCTL) and the Chinese International Educators Association (CIEA), both of which are based in Hong Kong but serve members all over Asia.
Patrick McMahon, Administrator
Patrick graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, ranked #11 in Best Global Universities, with a bachelor’s degree in English. He also earned an M.Ed. in Educational Technology from Azusa Pacific College, recognized in The Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. He has taught at all levels—elementary, middle school, high school, and ROP (Regional Occupational Program - Adult Education)—in the US, as well as in mainland China and Hong Kong, a total of 35 years in education. As Head of Technology & Innovation at Victoria Shanghai Academy in Hong Kong, Patrick helped the school win its first Innovation Award while collaborating with primary and secondary teams and the parent community.
As the Administrator of the Hong Kong office of Search Associates, Patrick provides administrative support for correspondence and plays a key role in helping the team ensure the smooth operation of the Hong Kong and Beijing/Shanghai Fairs. As a lifelong teacher, Patrick’s experience and empathy drive his passion for helping new educators find their career paths.
Email: pmcmahon@searchassociates.com
Philip Sumner, Assistant
Steven Wang, Executive Assistant
Steven graduated from one of the top two universities in China (Tsinghua University) with a bachelor of science degree and has been working as a project manager for many years in a variety of industries. In education, he has worked as the Office Manager of the preparatory office of the United World College (UWC) in China, leading the administrative staff and working with multiple government and non-governmental partners across different industries (e.g. construction, marketing) to meet deadlines and help bring the establishment of a new school to fruition.
As the Executive Assistant of the Hong Kong office of Search Associates, Steven will provide administrative support on invoicing and payments. He will also play a crucial supportive role in the smooth running of the Hong Kong and Beijing/Shanghai Fairs.
One of his greatest enjoyments comes from helping others. So, if you need help, call Steven ;-) !
Email: swang@searchassociates.com
