governors

H.E. Hala Badri
Independent Governor

Her Excellency Hala Badri, the Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, is a dynamic business leader with a passion for the arts, interior design, architecture, and culinary arts.

Inspired by the transformative power of creativity, she believes in empowering youth through education and exposure to culture. With a remarkable career spanning telecommunications, oil & gas, media, and real estate, she has not only achieved strategic objectives but also enhanced employee and customer happiness.

Recognised as a powerful Arab woman and strategic executive, she continues to champion female empowerment, cultural initiatives, and educational excellence.

Kabeen Khadar
Parent Governor

Kabeen Khadar, an Executive Director at Euroblast Middle East, holds over two decades of experience managing businesses and projects.

A second-generation entrepreneur with a robust background in oil & gas, hospitality, and IT-visual technology, he has been the driving force behind Euroblast Middle East, specialising in surface preparation and coating for prestigious projects in oil & gas, shipbuilding, repairs, and construction.

Kabeen’s strategic vision and professionalism have not only expanded the group’s portfolio through acquisitions in the UK but also made a lasting impact in the hospitality industry with The Poovar Island Resort alongside his father, Kabeer Khader.

Emily Konstansas
Safeguarding Governor

Emily Konstantas, the Global Founder and CEO of The Safeguarding Alliance, is dedicated to ensuring the safety of children and adults at risk worldwide.

With a focus on raising standards and professionalising the safeguarding sector, Emily passionately advocates for a global culture of safeguarding excellence.

Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s, Master’s in Law, and ongoing pursuit of a PhD in International Child Protection Law, and her impactful contributions to safeguarding legislation in the UK, including the advocacy for Della’s Law, have made her a recognised figure on national and international platforms.

Cheryl Christina Pavitt
Inclusion Governor

Cheryl Pavitt, the Inclusion Governor at Citizens School and an Inclusion Governor for a school in the UK, is deeply committed to creating an educational environment where every student is supported and valued. With over 25 years of experience as a behaviour analyst, school leader, education advisor, and early intervention practitioner, Cheryl has worked with countless schools, hundreds of families, and thousands of children across the UAE and UK.

Her extensive experience and powerful collaborations have established best-practice benchmarks across various inclusive education provisions and intervention models. Cheryl’s work reflects her dedication to ensuring that every child receives the support they need to succeed.

Cheryl’s deep understanding of parenthood challenges, combined with her insight into children’s lives and her expertise, continues to in spire meaningful change, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she serves.

Ismail Zorob
Operations/Finance Governor

Ismail Zorob, a Palestinian born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, now calls Dubai home after nearly two decades of residence. Passionate about making a meaningful impact, especially in the education sector, he is known for leading by example and embracing challenges.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with distinction and a CFA holder, Ismail co-founded a successful education group, contributing to elevating K-12 education standards in the UAE. Recently, he co-founded an edtech startup aiming to revolutionise school bookings in the region.

His involvement in the education sector includes crucial roles in public-private partnerships and a commitment to shaping a dynamic, project-based education model-aligning with the vision of Citizens, where he plays an integral role.

Prof. Dima Jamali
Education Governor

As noted by Forbes NY, Professor Dima Jamali, the entrepreneurial Dean and influential thought leader, assumed the role of Dean of the School of Management at Canadian University in Dubai in September 2023, leaving a profound impact on global higher education.

As an award-winning scholar and founder of the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon, Professor Dima’s commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility has not only shaped academic discourse but has also translated into impactful initiatives, marking her as a key influencer in both educational and global sustainability circles.

Driven by passion and achievement orientation, she advocates for a holistic approach to education, aligning with the avant- garde vision of Citizens School.

Dr Terence McAdams
Innovation Governor

Dr Terence McAdams is an experienced educational leader with a background in technology integration, curriculum development, and school innovation. Most recently, he has served as Vice Principal at Citizens School, focusing on digital literacy, problem-based learning, and enhancing teaching standards through interdisciplinary programmes.

In a prior senior leadership role, he led the development of award-winning programmes, including a machine learning initiative shortlisted for the 2022 ISC Digital Technology in Learning Award, and was instrumental in his school winning the ISC International School of the Year 2021. Additionally, he is an International Baccalaureate consultant, curriculum developer, and examination paper author, specialising in Computer Science.

With a Doctorate in Education, his research and publications emphasise the intersection of technology and pedagogy. Dr McAdams is also an accomplished presenter at international educational conferences and has authored several technical and educational texts.