Meet Our Leaders
Running a school built from scratch around evidence takes a particular kind of leadership team. The Citizens leadership comprises the Senior Leadership Team, who run the school day to day, and the Board of Governors, who set the standards of education, child development, and venture building.
Founder’s Message
A warm welcome to the prospective families of Citizens School!
It’s with immense pride and gratitude that I invite you to join us on this transformative educational journey we have embarked upon in the heart of Dubai.
The vision for Citizens School was born out of a deep desire to redefine the way we approach education, ensuring it aligns with the future’s ever-evolving demands.
Our commitment at Citizens is more than just providing textbook knowledge. It’s about cultivating a mindset that thrives in uncertainty, adapts to challenges, and seizes opportunities. Our children not just “students”, but lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and most importantly, responsible citizens of the world.
With the collaboration of our devoted team of mentors, we are on a mission to ensure our children are equipped with the tools they need to face tomorrow’s world. We emphasise hands-on learning, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all essential ingredients for success.
We thank you for entrusting us with your child’s future. Together, we will create a legacy of innovation, resilience, and excellence for generations to come.
Dr. Adil Alzarooni
Founder, Citizens School
Senior Leadership Team
Our Senior Leadership Team leads through collaboration, shared purpose, and a deep commitment to learner growth. Drawing on diverse expertise and global perspectives, the team works closely with the school community to create an innovative, inclusive, and future-ready learning environment.
Their collective leadership ensures that Citizens’ values and vision are embedded in every aspect of school life.
David Lees
Principal
David Lees brings over 20 years of educational and senior leadership experience to Citizens. As Principal, he leads with a clear vision: education should prepare learners for life beyond school, not just for school itself. His focus is a learning environment that’s personalised, adaptive, and deeply connected to the real world — one where learners think critically, build confidence, and grow into who they’re capable of becoming.
Ursula Zeitouny
Managing Director of Operations
Ursula Zeitouny oversees the day-to-day operations of Citizens, keeping the school running through clear leadership, collaboration, and care. She leads Nursery, Admissions, Facilities, Procurement, and Communications and Events. A former early-years educator, Ursula brings a deep understanding of children, families, and school communities — and a commitment to building a connected, supportive environment for everyone in it.
Donal O’Callaghan
Vice Principal and Head of Secondary
As Vice Principal and Head of Secondary, Donal O’Callaghan blends the rigour of the British Curriculum with real-world learning. He champions learner voice, meaningful relationships, and education with genuine purpose. Donal believes that understanding each learner — their motivations, interests, and aspirations — is what helps them grow into confident, capable young people ready to lead what comes next.
Nagham Naamani
Vice Principal and Head of Primary
With over two decades in education, Nagham Naamani is deeply committed to learner wellbeing, personal growth, and emotional intelligence. As Vice Principal and Head of Primary, she leads with a people-centred approach, supporting learners and mentors alike. Her focus on lifelong learning and self-awareness shapes a Primary culture where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow academically and personally.
Fareeha Nadkar
Director of Learning & Quality Assurance
Fareeha Nadkar leads teaching, learning, and quality assurance at Citizens, guided by a firm belief that every learner has limitless potential. With a strong background in inclusion and educational leadership, she holds the school to high standards while supporting mentors in their professional growth. Fareeha is committed to learning environments where learners feel safe, inspired, and challenged to reach their best.
Lucy Blanchard
Assistant Director of Learning and Project-Based Learning Leader
As Assistant Director of Learning and Project-Based Learning Leader, Lucy Blanchard shapes how Citizens delivers its transdisciplinary curriculum. She embeds hands-on, interdisciplinary projects across the school — grounded in wellbeing, creativity, and the future-ready skills learners will actually use. For Lucy, learning is at its best when it’s meaningful, engaging, and connected to the real world, with the learner at the centre.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors sets the standards Citizens School is held to. They bring vision and expertise across education, child development, and venture building, and an active role in shaping the school’s long-term direction. The Board reviews academic and operational performance, approves strategic planning, and ensures Citizens stays true to the vision it was built on.
Dr. Adil Alzarooni
Chairman and Founder
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
Academic Governor
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
Parent Governor
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
Safeguarding Governor
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
Inclusion Governor
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, MBE
Education Standards Governor
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 Zorob
Finance and Operations Governor
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
Wellbeing Governor
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
Emirati Culture and Innovation Governor
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
Innovation Governor
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.