Speakers
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Jessica Turner

Jessica Turner

Chief Executive Officer at Quacquarelli Symonds

As CEO of QS, Jessica focuses on ensuring that the organisation helps its clients grow and create strategies that empower them to succeed in their education and research ambitions and prepare for the digital era, all while staying true to the company’s core values – passion, diversity, integrity, innovation and empowerment. She has been instrumental in leading transformation and growth, bringing a comprehensive suite of solutions in student recruitment, institutional performance, and skills development to support and shape the future of global higher education.

She has held the role since 2022, taking over from the company’s founder, Nunzio Quacquarelli. She first joined QS in 2019 as QS Group Managing Director.

Prior to joining QS, Jessica spearheaded product and service innovation as the General Manager of Clarivate Analytics’ Scientific and Academic Research Business department. She also spent over a decade at Thomson Reuters in data and analytics leadership roles and began her career as a Consultant at McKinsey & Company, advising media and technology companies across diverse geographies.

2025 Back to School

Jessica Turner

Chief Executive Officer at Quacquarelli Symonds

As CEO of QS, Jessica focuses on ensuring that the organisation helps its clients grow and create strategies that empower them to succeed in their education and research ambitions and prepare for the digital era, all while staying true to the company’s core values – passion, diversity, integrity, innovation and empowerment. She has been instrumental in leading transformation and growth, bringing a comprehensive suite of solutions in student recruitment, institutional performance, and skills development to support and shape the future of global higher education.

She has held the role since 2022, taking over from the company’s founder, Nunzio Quacquarelli. She first joined QS in 2019 as QS Group Managing Director.

Prior to joining QS, Jessica spearheaded product and service innovation as the General Manager of Clarivate Analytics’ Scientific and Academic Research Business department. She also spent over a decade at Thomson Reuters in data and analytics leadership roles and began her career as a Consultant at McKinsey & Company, advising media and technology companies across diverse geographies.

2025 Back to School
2025 Back to School Summit
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
9:45 am

From Vision to Action: Navigating the Next Decade of Learning

Building on the bold forecasts shared in the opening plenary, this panel brings together three leaders shaping the future of education from distinct vantage points - global higher education, K-12 learning innovation, and career exploration. Jessica Turner (QS), Jamie Candee (Edmentum), and Julie Lammers (American Student Assistance) will respond to the big-picture themes and explore how we translate future-facing trends into practical strategies across the learner journey, from school through to career. Expect a lively, cross-sector dialogue on equity, employability, AI, and learner agency designed to spark debate and new thinking on what it really means to prepare for the decade ahead.
Details
2025 Back to School Summit
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
2:00 pm

Universities as Engines of Skills and Growth: Leadership for a Changing Economy

As lifespans approach 100 years, careers span six decades, and demographic shifts reshape student pipelines, universities must move beyond traditional models to become engines of lifelong learning—contributing to economic growth, strengthening workforce resilience, and supporting national productivity goals. In this high-level panel, QS CEO Jessica Turner joins three university presidents to examine what universities must do to meet the evolving needs of diverse learners, forge stronger local and global partnerships, and better articulate their value across government, industry, and society. This discussion will explore how institutions can strengthen community impact and remain essential drivers of progress in a rapidly changing world. A conversation about leadership, relevance, and reinvention.
Details
2025 Back to School Summit
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
8:00 am

QS Market Briefing & Leadership Welcome (by Invitation Only)

Join QS and fellow university leaders for an exclusive, invitation-only breakfast briefing to kick off the conference. This informal session will provide a high level overview of the market, highlighting key dynamics, challenges, and strategic opportunities for U.S. institutions. Attendees will receive the event agenda, with tailored recommendations on high-impact sessions, and have a chance to network with peers before the day begins. Designed to help you navigate the next two days with purpose and insight, this briefing sets the tone for a productive and engaging experience.
Details
2025 Back to School Summit
Thursday, September 11, 2025
11:30 am

Global Student Flows: Navigating the Next Era of International Education

As global student mobility rebounds and reshapes in the wake of shifting policies, geopolitics, and AI-enhanced recruitment, institutions face mounting pressure to grow enrollments, ensure quality, and build more diverse, future-ready student populations. This session explores how leading universities are evolving their international strategies, leveraging transnational models, hybrid delivery, and partnerships to stay ahead. We’ll dive into the data behind new student flows, explore how recruitment tactics are changing in real time, and unpack the trade-offs institutions are navigating as they compete on a global stage.
Details