Leadership
At CHAPTR, we believe education is not simply about passing exams—it is about shaping a life. The International Baccalaureate pushes students to analyze deeply, express themselves with confidence, and develop the resilience to thrive. Our mission as leaders is to walk beside students on this journey, offering structure, strategy, and care.
Through years of guiding families—and raising our own children—we know both the academic demands and the emotional weight of the IB. CHAPTR was created to provide more than academic excellence: it is a trusted space where students gain confidence, parents find reassurance, and families move forward with clarity.
With decades of experience, an international perspective, and a shared dedication to excellence, we are proud to lead CHAPTR—a place where academic legacies take root.
— Olivia Simoen & Marlies Kempers
Olivia Simoen
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, CHAPTR– House of Education
With over three decades in education, Olivia is a curriculum designer, teacher mentor, and international education specialist. She has worked with schools and families worldwide, creating frameworks that combine rigor with care.
As a parent of IB graduates herself, Olivia offers not only professional expertise but also personal insight into the journey students and families undertake. She brings a deep understanding of the university application processes in the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., guiding families through each system with clarity and confidence.
Her extensive global network of educators and school leaders further strengthens CHAPTR’s mission, ensuring students receive the best possible support. Under her leadership, families feel both challenged to aim higher and supported every step of the way as they prepare for admission to top universities.
Marlies Kempers
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, CHAPTR – House of Education
With a background in law and extensive experience in international marketing and communications, Marlies combines strategic insight with creativity and attention to detail. She excels at bringing people together, building bridges, and creating common ground.
Together with Olivia Simoen, she also co-founded Dutch School USA, CHAPTR’s sister company, which she successfully positioned as a top provider of bilingual education in the U.S. In that role she forged strong partnerships with IB schools and families, setting high standards for international language education.
At CHAPTR, Marlies brings her business acumen and organizational skills to ensure sustainable growth and operational excellence. Families and teachers alike benefit from her ability to unite strategy with empathy, design with structure, and vision with practical solutions.
A Shared Vision
Together, Marlies and Olivia co-founded Dutch School USA, a highly regarded institution serving bilingual and international families. That success revealed the need for something broader: CHAPTR. More than a tutoring company, it is a House of Education—where academic excellence meets personal balance.
Our Roots
Our philosophy is shaped by a European heritage, refined through years of raising our families in the United States. Marlies is originally from the Netherlands, and Olivia is Belgian-American, raised in a Dutch-Flemish household. This blend of perspectives allows us to bring the best of both worlds: the structure and balance long valued in Europe, paired with the ambition and openness that define the American spirit.
At CHAPTR, we believe students thrive when guided with structure, realistic expectations, and honest feedback. Academic resilience is not built on perfection, but on the ability to pause, regroup, and move forward with confidence. CHAPTR offers that space to regroup: safe, structured, and steady—helping students rise to their fullest potential.