Meet Our Leaders

Dr. Adil Alzarooni is an Emirati leader with over 22 years of executive experience across healthcare, education, finance, logistics, media, technology, FMCG, and real estate. He operates two family offices and a venture studio, and is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, and public speaker. Dr. Alzarooni holds degrees from the Etisalat College of Engineering, the American University of Sharjah, and the British University in Dubai. He is the co-author of Economic Zones: The Essentials and author of Sustaining Family Businesses: The Essentials.

Dr. Amani Batakji Chazy is an Education Policy Expert, Researcher, and Advisor with over 20 years of experience across educational leadership, policy, quality assurance, and curriculum development. She currently serves as Education Policies Expert and Advisor to the Secretary General of the Education and Human Resources Council, Federal Government of the UAE. Previously, she was Senior Bilingual Inspector at Dubai Knowledge. Dr. Chazy holds a doctorate in education policy and research, and has published in peer-reviewed international journals. Her work is a sustained commitment to educational excellence and innovation.

Kabeen Khadar is Executive Director at Euroblast Middle East, with over two decades of experience managing businesses and projects. A second-generation entrepreneur, he has a background across oil and gas, hospitality, and IT-visual technology, and has driven Euroblast’s specialism in surface preparation and coating for major projects in oil and gas, shipbuilding, repairs, and construction. He has expanded the group’s portfolio through UK acquisitions and made a lasting mark in hospitality through The Poovar Island Resort, alongside his father, Kabeer Khader.

Emily Konstantas is Global Founder and CEO of The Safeguarding Alliance, working to protect children and adults at risk worldwide. She’s a leading voice for raising standards and professionalising the safeguarding sector, advocating for a global culture of safeguarding excellence. Emily holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Law and is pursuing a PhD in International Child Protection Law. Her contributions to UK safeguarding legislation, including her advocacy for Della’s Law, have made her a recognised figure nationally and internationally.

Cheryl Pavitt serves as Inclusion Governor at Citizens and also holds the role at a school in the UK. With over 25 years as a behaviour analyst, school leader, education advisor, and early intervention practitioner, she has worked with schools, hundreds of families, and thousands of children across the UAE and UK. Cheryl’s work has helped establish best-practice benchmarks in inclusive education and intervention models — driven by a deep commitment to ensuring every learner receives the support they need to succeed.

Kim Popratnjak has dedicated her career to the growth of learners from every background. She holds a degree with honours and a Master’s, and has progressed through leadership roles including Head of Department, Head of Faculty, and Deputy Head. Kim was awarded an MBE for services to education after transforming a school from low-ranking to the top 6% nationally. A learner-centred leader, she brings a clear vision for creative, future-thinking education — and a track record of turning that vision into results.

Ismail brings a rare blend of startup agility, large-scale school operations, and public policy expertise. As Co-Founder of Edways, he’s reimagining how families engage with schools — starting with admissions — to make access to education more transparent and seamless. Previously, he served as CFO and founding leader at one of the UAE’s most respected education operators, scaling a portfolio of schools and nurseries while building a robust shared-services model. At Citizens, Ismail ensures strong financial stewardship, efficient operations, and data-driven decision-making across the board.

Hind El Aoufi is an innovation and digital culture leader with over 17 years in strategy and management consulting across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. She heads GHD’s D-Lab practice in EMEA, where she drives innovation strategy, applied innovation, and cultural change — with a particular focus on digital transformation at C-suite level. Hind is also Co-Founder and co-CEO of youforher, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women and protecting the planet, reflecting her commitment to impact across people, planet, and profit.

Dr. Shaima AlHarmoodi is an academic, researcher, and innovator championing the integration of UAE culture, values, and innovation in education. An Associate Professor at Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University with over 15 years in higher education, she teaches and leads initiatives in project management, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As a Certified External Reviewer for the UAE Ministry of Education, she has helped strengthen academic quality across institutions. She has mentored hundreds of startups and partnered with organisations including the Dubai Future Foundation to nurture young innovators.

Dr. Terence McAdams is an educational leader with a background in technology integration, curriculum development, and school innovation. Most recently, he served as Vice Principal at Citizens, focusing on digital literacy, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary programmes. He previously led the development of award-winning programmes, including a machine learning initiative shortlisted for the 2022 ISC Digital Technology in Learning Award, and contributed to his school winning ISC International School of the Year 2021. He holds a Doctorate in Education and is an IB consultant, curriculum developer, and Computer Science examination paper author.