Senior
leadership team
Meet Our Senior Leadership Team
At Citizens School, our Senior Leadership Team is dedicated to shaping an innovative and inclusive educational experience. The SLT is make up of seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of expertise to guide our school towards excellence.
Hisham Hodroge
CEO, Citizens School
With nearly 20 years’ experience in the GCC region, Hisham provides insights and direction to businesses on growing and optimizing their investment portfolios in the sectors of healthcare, education, financial services, food and beverage, logistics and SME.
As the CEO of Citizens School and CIO of Al Zarooni Emirates Investments (ZEI), Hisham has been managing the company’s investment portfolio since 2013. Prior to this, Hisham worked for Istithmar World Capital in DIFC, Dubai and QInvest in Doha, Qatar.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the American University of Beirut.
Ursula Zeitouny
Managing Director of Operations
Ursula Zeitouny, originally from Brazil and later establishing roots in Lebanon, is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in hospitality management and education. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a specialized focus on Hospitality Management.
Ursula has had a diverse career and currently holds the position of Managing Director of Operations at Citizens School in Dubai, UAE steering the comprehensive operations of the school, overseeing admissions, marketing, IT, and procurement. Her dedication to effective communication has been instrumental in cultivating a positive and collaborative atmosphere within the institution.
Ursula’s journey includes impactful teaching experiences in Muscat, Oman, and Sharjah, UAE. Serving as a Kindergarten Teacher, she instructed in English, Arabic, and Math, leaving a positive impact on young minds. This teaching journey not only refined her linguistic skills but also instilled in her a profound appreciation for diverse cultures. She is committed to leveraging her diverse skills and rich experiences to make meaningful contributions to the fields of education.
David Lees
Principal
With a wealth of experience in education, David Lees joins us as Principal, bringing boundless enthusiasm and innovative ideas to the table.
Hailing from Suffolk and Essex, David has spent over two decades shaping the educational landscape as a senior leader. His journey includes pivotal roles such as Headteacher, Governor, and Chief Operating Officer, culminating in his recent tenure as Executive Principal in Essex.
Beyond his professional achievements, David is a dedicated family man, husband, and father. When he’s not immersed in educational endeavors, you’ll find him on the tennis court, golf course, or hitting the gym, showcasing his passion for sports and fitness.
David’s vision for Citizens is nothing short of inspiring. He’s committed to creating a learning environment that’s adaptive, personalised, and deeply connected to the real world—a place where every learner is empowered to achieve their fullest potential. With his leadership, we’re excited to see Citizens continue to flourish and evolve, shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Donal O’Callaghan
Vice Principal and Head of Secondary
Donal O’Callaghan, Vice Principal and Head of Secondary, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Citizens School. Having previously served as Senior Leader and Head of Secondary at a British Curriculum school in Sharjah, Donal is passionate about combining the best of British Curriculum with a real-world approach to learning.
With a background in research and development and experience teaching Geography, Biology, and Chemistry, Donal believes it’s vital for mentors to know their learners, understanding who they are, where they want to go, and what will motivate them to get there.
Beyond his professional career in education, Donal enjoys golf and playing rugby with the Sharjah Wanderers. He also loves to travel and experience different cultures, a passion he brings to his work with learners, ensuring everyone is heard and all are respected.
Donal is a dedicated educator committed to preparing learners to lead and inspire in the future. With a focus on learner empowerment, he’s looking forward to helping learners expand their horizons and reach their fullest potential.
Nagham Naamani
Vice Principal, Citizens School
Nagham Naamani, Vice Principal at Citizens School, brings over 24 years of dedicated experience in education to our diverse community. Her journey in the world of education has seen her evolve from an English teacher to assuming various leadership roles, including Head of Department, Head of Primary School, and now, Vice Principal.
Nagham’s passion for personal development and lifelong learning led her to become a certified life coach, specializing in personal development and emotional intelligence. Her dedication to understanding how people think, behave, and interact has been a driving force in her career.
With academic qualifications in Political Studies and Public Administration, as well as a diploma in Educational Leadership, Nagham possesses a rich and diverse skill set. This enables her to mentor and lead individuals not only in educational settings but also in their personal and professional lives.
Beyond her professional life, Nagham is an avid reader, particularly drawn to self-help literature. During her free time, you can often find her cycling through the sunny streets of Dubai, engrossed in a self-help book by the beach, or cherishing moments with her family and friends.
Dialla Mustapha
Vice Principal of Inclusion and Well-Being and Safeguarding
Dialla Mustapha, Vice Principal of Inclusion and Well-Being and Safeguarding, has been an educational leader for over 23 years, dedicated to creating inclusive, safe, and supportive environments where learners’ well-being is a top priority.
With a Master of Education and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University, Dialla possesses strong leadership and effective communication skills. She approaches challenges head on with determination and optimism, always seeking innovative solutions to achieve the best outcomes for her learners and her team.
Dialla’s passion lies in advocating for inclusive education, developing the systems that promote emotional health, diversity, and safeguarding. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at the beach, swimming, and adding to her coin collection, a hobby that allows her to explore history and learn more about different cultures.
Dialla’s commitment to life-long learning continues in her role at Citizens where she is excited to contribute to an environment where all learners are empowered to grow and their diverse backgrounds are valued and respected.
Fareeha Nadkar
Director of Learning & Quality Assurance
With over 18 years experience and a strong background in educational leadership, Fareeha Nadkar, Director of Learning & Quality Assurace, is passionate in her belief that schools are more than just a place to learn. They are a child’s second home where they should feel safe, supported, and inspired.
With a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Management, and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership, Fareeha began her career as a special needs teacher before advancing to the role of Inclusion Lead. She later transitioned to teaching Psychology and Economics, before taking on the role of Assistant Phase Head for Secondary and Deputy Head of Secondary, combining her classroom experience with leadership opportunities.
Fareeha is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and learning at Citizens. She is dedicated to monitoring educational practices, supporting mentors in their professional development, and leading the initiatives necessary to improve learner outcomes.
With a strong belief that there should be no ceiling on a learner’s potential, Fareeha is committed to providing the opportunities needed for growth, creativity, and collaboration. Outside of work, she loves to read and spend time with her family and friends.
Lucy Blanchard
Assistant Director of Learning and Project-Based Learning Leader
Now in her third year at Citizens School, Lucy Blanchard is a visionary leader and dynamic educator, known for blending innovation with a deep commitment to learner wellbeing. She began her Citizens journey as Head of Science and Year 4 Mentor, later stepping into the role of Curriculum Lead. Today, she serves in a dual capacity as Assistant Director of Learning and Project-Based Learning (PBL) Leader, while continuing to inspire in the classroom as Year 6 Science Specialist—a role that keeps her closely connected to learners’ day-to-day experiences.
Lucy has been instrumental in embedding PBL and design thinking into every corner of the curriculum, partnering with subject specialists to create rich, integrated learning experiences that develop adaptable skills, creativity, and future-ready mindsets. Her expertise in curriculum design and educational strategy is always anchored in a child-centred philosophy, ensuring every learner’s strengths, passions, and wellbeing remain at the heart of their growth.
Beyond the classroom, Lucy leads by example. A passionate triathlete, she models perseverance and resilience through competition. She is also the founder of a children’s charity and a devoted admirer of the UAE, embracing and championing its rich cultural values.
Krystel Oufi Hodroge
Chief Marketing Officer, Citizens School
With over 22 years of regional and international experience in marketing and communications, Krystel specialises in Brand Marketing and has led the full marketing spectrum across both B2B and B2C sectors.
Her industry expertise spans tech, logistics, fintech, retail, and consumer electronics, with leadership roles at renowned companies such as Huawei, Samsung, Tommy Hilfiger, Azadea, and Lyve Global.
She has successfully scaled startups and large corporations by implementing innovative marketing strategies, strengthening brand visibility, and driving customer engagement. She has also led and mentored diverse marketing teams across multiple markets, ensuring alignment, performance, and sustainable growth.
Most recently, she founded WeBrand Consultancy, a CMO-as-a-Service firm that offers strategic marketing leadership and tailored brand solutions to help businesses accelerate growth and achieve long-term marketing success.
In her current role of Chief Marketing Officer at Citizens School, she is focused on positioning the school as a benchmark for excellence, innovation, and community connection. She aims to amplify the school’s vision and bring to life the stories, achievements, and values that make Citizens a place where every learner can thrive.
Naveed Aslam
Managing Director – Finance
With 16+ years of experience in financial management, reporting and analysis, Naveed helps conduct feasibility studies, in-depth due diligence and business valuation in order to make sound business decisions. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and an associate member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK.
Behzad Khan
Head of Strategic Development
Well-experienced in financial modeling, forecasting, assessing economic data, developing risk profiles, analysing markets and client relationship management, Behzad helps analyze business opportunities. He hold’s a BBA from Imperial College of Business Studies (Pakistan) and a master’s in Applied Finance and Banking from the University of Wollongong (Dubai). He has also attended a Private Equity Programme at University of Oxford.
