IMTEC Staff

Our team comprises experienced senior advisors with backgrounds in leadership and organization within the municipal education sector. We are committed to supporting and inspiring educational institutions and professionals in their pursuit of excellence and innovation.

 

Marlen Faannessen –CEO

Marlen holds a master's degree in educational leadership from NTNU and a general teacher education from Nord University. She has 16 years of experience in the education sector as a teacher, principal, and municipal manager, and seven years as a senior advisor and group leader at KS Konsulent. Marlen has led projects on student participation and served as a national advisor for the Directorate of Education. Her main responsibilities at IMTEC include international projects and quality and leadership development in the education sector within Norwegian municipalities and counties. 

Phone: +47 908 34 016
Email: marlen@imtec.no

Tore Skandsen - Deputy Director

Tore is educated as a teacher with several additional qualifications, including MPA (Master of Public Management) and has been approved for the title Associated Teaching Professor. He has worked in schools for 9 years in various school types, for 4 years at the State Education Office and a total of 5 years at the University Innlandet 
Has been associated with IMTEC since 1999. Main tasks in IMTEC: International projects and network work as well as organizational development and leadership development.

Email: tore@imtec.no

Stig Johannessen – Senior Advisor

Has extensive experience in educational leadership, system improvement, and organisational development. He has held roles as teacher, school leader, municipal education director, and national union leader, and works closely with municipalities and international partners to strengthen leadership capacity, equity, and sustainable change across the education sector.

Email: stig@imtec.no 

Vigdis Vikne – Senior Advisor

With over 30 years of experience in various roles within the school system, Vigdis works on organizational development in municipalities nationwide. Her experience includes assignments for child welfare services, serving as a guardian for the County Governor, teacher, special educator, school leader, expert advisor in the educational psychological service, and external school evaluator. She has also served as a national advisor for the Directorate of Education, supporting leadership and process development in schools and assisting school owners in systemic quality development. Vigdis holds a four-year general teacher education, a second degree in special education (social and emotional difficulties), and a master's in organization and leadership. At IMTEC, she assists school owners and schools/kindergartens in pedagogical or organizational development work focused on learning, leadership, and organizational development, including interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration. She also serves as a process leader in the Director Education and PULS-15 programs in collaboration with OsloMet. 

Email: vikne@imtec.no 

Knut Stranden – Senior Advisor

Knut has extensive experience in the education sector, including roles as a teacher, school leader, and advisor. He has worked on school development projects and has a strong focus on leadership and organizational development. At IMTEC, Knut's main responsibilities include supporting schools and municipalities in development processes, providing guidance and training, and facilitating professional learning communities. 

Email: knut@imtec.no

Baard Johannes Johannessen – Senior Advisor

Baard brings a wealth of experience from various roles in the education sector, including teaching, school leadership, and advisory positions. He has been involved in numerous development projects and has a keen interest in leadership and organizational development. At IMTEC, Baard's main responsibilities include supporting educational institutions in development processes, offering guidance and training, and facilitating professional learning communities. 

Email: baard@imtec.no

 

Renate Macpherson – Senior Advisor

Renate Macpherson has extensive experience in the education sector, including roles as teacher, school leader, and head of education. She is particularly skilled in organizational development, change management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

She has held leadership positions as principal and deputy head of school and most recently served as Head of Education in Osteroey municipality. Renate is committed to strengthening schools’ capacity to meet current and future challenges by building learning organizations with strong relational capacity.

Renate holds a teaching degree and a master's in organization and leadership from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, with a focus on 21st-century organizational development.

Throughout her career, she has led several successful school development projects and is known for her ability to align strategic goals with everyday practice. Renate is passionate about making effective use of resources and developing professional learning communities that contribute to quality across the education sector.

Main responsibilities in IMTEC: Leadership and organizational development, advisory support to school owners, and facilitation of development processes in municipalities, counties and internationally.

Email: renate@imtec.no

 

Dennis Shirley - Senior Advisor

Dennis Shirley is an internationally recognized researcher in education, with extensive experience in school development, teacher professionalism, and innovation in education. Throughout his impressive career, he has worked closely with schools, teachers, and leaders around the world to create positive change and better outcomes for students. His work is based on the belief that academic research combined with practical experience is key to improving education systems.  

Now, as part of the IMTEC team, Dennis looks forward to sharing his broad knowledge and experience to contribute to our vision. He is deeply committed to building trust and collaboration within school communities and will play an important role in our efforts to develop better pedagogical methods.  

Dennis is also an active author and has written several influential books and articles that have shaped the discussion around education reform. His engaging perspectives continue to inspire teachers to think creatively and lead with clear direction.  
For more information about Dennis Shirley's work, please visit his website: https://dennisshirley.com