Citizens School

Dr. Adil Alzarooni is a prominent Emirati leader with over 22 years of executive management experience across diverse sectors including healthcare, education, and finance. He is the founder of Citizens School and holds degrees from the Etisalat College of Engineering, the American University of Sharjah, and the British University in Dubai. He is also a published author on family businesses and economic zones.

Hisham Hodroge has nearly 20 years of experience in the GCC region, providing direction on investment portfolios in sectors such as healthcare, education, and logistics. He has served as the CEO of Citizens School and CIO of Al Zarooni Emirates Investments (ZEI) since 2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the American University of Beirut.

David Lees is the Principal of Citizens School, bringing over two decades of experience as a senior leader in education, including roles as Headteacher, Governor, and Chief Operating Officer. He is committed to creating an adaptive, personalised learning environment and is a dedicated advocate for sports and fitness.

Ursula Zeitouny is the Managing Director of Operations at Citizens School, overseeing admissions, marketing, IT, and procurement. With a background in hospitality management and education, she has previously worked as a teacher in Muscat and Sharjah. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

Donal O’Callaghan is the Vice Principal and Head of Secondary, with previous experience as a Senior Leader and Head of Secondary at a British Curriculum school in Sharjah. He has a background in research and development and is passionate about combining the British Curriculum with real-world learning.

Nagham Naamani is a Vice Principal at Citizens School with over 24 years of experience in education, having evolved from an English teacher to various leadership roles. She is a certified life coach specializing in emotional intelligence and holds academic qualifications in Political Studies, Public Administration, and Educational Leadership.

Dialla Mustapha is the Vice Principal of Inclusion and Well-Being and Safeguarding, with over 23 years of experience as an educational leader. She holds a Master of Education and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University.

Fareeha Nadkar is the Director of Learning & Quality Assurance, holding a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership. She has over 18 years of experience and has previously served as an Inclusion Lead and Deputy Head of Secondary.

Lucy Blanchard is the Assistant Director of Learning and Project-Based Learning (PBL) Leader, and also serves as a Year 6 Science Specialist. She has been instrumental in embedding PBL and design thinking into the curriculum and is a passionate triathlete.

Krystel Oufi Hodroge is the Chief Marketing Officer at Citizens School, with over 22 years of international experience in brand marketing across sectors like tech, retail, and consumer electronics. She previously founded WeBrand Consultancy and has held leadership roles at companies such as Samsung and Huawei.

Naveed Aslam has over 16 years of experience in financial management, reporting, and analysis. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK.

Behzad Khan is the Head of Strategic Development, with experience in financial modeling, forecasting, and market analysis. He holds a BBA from the Imperial College of Business Studies and a master’s in Applied Finance and Banking from the University of Wollongong (Dubai).