ETS has appointed Don Schmidt ETS MENA Regional Director for Global Partnerships, effective immediately. Schmidt brings nearly 30 years of experience across the Middle East, Asia and the United States in education, government, corporate and nonprofit sectors. Based in Riyadh, he will focus on strengthening ETS relationships in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region.
The appointment positions ETS to expand collaboration with educational institutions and employers across the region. Schmidt’s role includes developing testing, learning and delivery ecosystems that respond to market needs.
Key Takeaways
- Don Schmidt appointed as ETS Regional Director for Global Partnerships in MENA
- Based in Riyadh with focus on Saudi Arabia and regional markets
- Role includes expanding TOEIC, PSI services, YSS and ITP solutions across education and corporate sectors
Background and Regional Experience
Schmidt most recently served with Amideast Saudi Arabia, where he led the field office and managed corporate English language training, test preparation, scholarship and exchange programs. He introduced learning models for government, corporate and nonprofit clients while overseeing program delivery across the Kingdom.
His career spans leadership roles involving sales development, large-scale project management and revenue growth initiatives. According to ETS, Schmidt’s experience across diverse markets positions him to work with regional partners on education and skills development priorities.
Schmidt holds an Ed.M. from Boston University and degrees in anthropology and linguistics from Indiana University. He has completed advanced training in project management, business strategy and measurement assessment.
Role and Partnership Strategy
In his new role, the Don Schmidt ETS MENA appointment focuses on working with distributors, publishers, integrators and public institutions. The company aims to expand collaboration around solutions including TOEIC language testing, PSI services, and YSS and ITP assessment tools.
“I am joining ETS at a time when education and skills development continue to evolve across the region,” Schmidt said. His remit includes supporting partnerships that align with regional education transformation priorities.
ETS stated that Schmidt’s understanding of regional markets will help the organization work more closely with partners in Saudi Arabia and across MENA. For organizations seeking [[internal:english-language-testing-saudi-arabia|English language testing solutions in Saudi Arabia]], ETS offers multiple assessment options.
ETS Presence and Regional Focus
ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization operating in more than 200 countries and territories. The company serves over 50 million individuals annually through assessments including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE and Praxis. The organization has committed to preparing 100 million people for next-generation jobs by 2035, according to [[external:https://www.ets.org|ETS official data]].
The MENA region represents a growth market for education technology and assessment services. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives emphasize human capital development and education sector transformation, creating demand for testing and certification services.
ETS subsidiaries include PSI, which provides testing and certification services across multiple sectors. The organization’s Research Institute supports assessment development and measurement science.
What’s Next
The Don Schmidt ETS MENA leadership appointment comes as educational institutions and employers across Saudi Arabia expand skills assessment and certification programs. Schmidt will work with regional partners to develop solutions addressing local market requirements.
ETS plans to strengthen its presence in the Kingdom through partnerships with educational institutions and corporate clients. For more on [[internal:education-technology-saudi-arabia|education technology developments in Saudi Arabia]], regional testing standards continue to evolve in line with workforce development goals.
