Board of Directors

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy was sworn in as Minister of State in the Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates in February 2008.  In addition to her ministerial duties, Al Hashimy also manages the International Affairs Unit of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

As Chairperson of Dubai Cares, Al Hashimy is leading the organization’s efforts to improve children’s access to quality primary education globally, thus contributing to sustainable development around the world.  She is also taking the lead in helping shape the global agenda for effective and impactful interventions to achieve, by 2015, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 2 and 3 – to guarantee universal primary education and to promote gender equality respectively.

Al Hashimy has extensive international experience, beginning her career as Commercial Attaché and, subsequently, as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the UAE in Washington D.C.  In this capacity, Al Hashimy was closely involved in a broad spectrum of issues related to the UAE-US bilateral relationship, including security, trade, as well as economic and social issues.

Before moving to the United States, Al Hashimy worked in The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid where she directed economic and social programs for the Emirate of Dubai.

Al Hashimy completed her undergraduate studies at Tufts University, where she earned B.A. degrees in International Relations and French. She also holds a Masters Degree from Harvard University.

H.E. Dr. Maryam Matar is the former Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), which undertakes to formulate social policies and deliver social services that are in line with and contribute to the achievement of the social development objectives of Dubai Strategic Plan 2007 – 2015, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 3rd, 2007. In 2005, Dr. Matar was the leader of the executive team that set up social development strategies for Dubai Strategic Plan.

Born in 1975, Dr. Matar holds a B.A. in Medicine and Surgery (1993-1998) and a degree from the Family Medicine Residency Program with distinction. She is also a graduate of the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development with distinction, second batch (2003-2004).

Furthermore, Dr. Matar is the founder and Executive Director of two non-profit civil associations, “UAE Down’s Syndrome Association” and “UAE Genetic Diseases Association”, which support families from 17 different nationalities. In addition, she has initiated several national community outreach programs such as “UAE Free of Thalassemia by 2012” and established a number of Wellness Centers in Higher Colleges of Technology and Dubai Ladies Club.

Before joining CDA, Dr. Matar was the first Emirati woman to bear the title of Undersecretary to the Minister of Health in 2006, designing blueprints for Public Health and Primary Health Care for year 2011. Moreover, she launched a number of initiatives to deliver Primary Health Care (PHC) services in the Northern Emirates and increase the number of PHC centers from 52 to 97.

From 1990 to 2005, Dr. Matarhas received many awards on a yearly basis, including the H.H. Sheikh Rashid “Academic Excellence” Award in the Faculty of Medicine (1999); “Best Healthcare Project” Award among all UAE Higher Colleges of Technology (2002);“Distinguished Employee” Award from Dubai Government Excellence Program in the Department of Health and Medical Services (2003);“Best Community Project” Award from the H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development (2004) and Emirates Businesswomen Award for “Professional Excellence” (2004).

Dr. Matar also assumed the position of Head of Community Studies and Programs Section, Primary Health Care – DOHMS, besides being the Executive Director of UAE Free of Thalassemia Project and the Medical Advisor for the Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee (Customs and Free Zone Corporation).

Today, Dr. Matar holds several posts including Executive Director of UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Deputy Chairperson of Dubai Cares and a Board Member of the Marriage Fund, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Dubai Women Establishment, Damas International Limited and the Canadian University of Dubai.

Ahmed Bin Shabib is the co-founder of Brownbook Magazine, a publication highlighting the values and subjects relevant to the greater Middle East. Brownbook is a leading publication about the Middle East in the world.

Ahmed is also the founder of Shelter, a grassroots community space that incubates ideas. These ideas are in the form of start-up businesses, cultural and humanitarian events and dialogues. Today, Shelter houses over 42 businesses and has become a meeting point for both entrepreneurs and thinkers.

Ahmed studied at Suffolk University, Boston (USA) and the American College in London. He holds a bachelor in management and is a regular speaker and participant at educational institutions with a focus on entrepreneurship.

In December 2004, Fahad Al Bannai joined Axiom Telecom as a Board Member and Senior Vice President where he is responsible for developing the distribution channel and telecom operator business. Since joining Axiom, Al Bannai has played an instrumental role in doubling the company’s sales figures and in successfully establishing new companies in the Gulf, Egypt and India.

Prior to joining Axiom Telecom, Al Bannai served as the Deputy Head of the Financial and Economic Crimes Department in Dubai Police. In his 5 years of service, he was responsible for investigating financial crimes and money laundry cases for which he received numerous recognition certificates from local and international bodies.

Al Bannai received his bachelor degree in Business Administration in 1997, and his masters degree in International Commerce in 1999 from Boston University.

Frederic Sicre has about 20 years experience in engaging the private sector in global issues, regional development agendas and community building. As an Executive Director at Abraaj, he engages a wide network of decision makers from around the world with the business activities and philanthropic work of the firm. He spearheads the Abraaj Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Team (ASSET) that works with leaders from all fields, including government, private sector, media and culture. He helps drive business development at Abraaj, its stakeholder communications, international positioning, government relations and strategic philanthropy.

In addition to his role at Dubai Cares, he serves on the advisory board Injaz Al Arab, an organization which harnesses the mentorship of Arab business leaders to help inspire a culture of entrepreneurialism and business innovation among Arab youth. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Gerhart Center at the American University in Cairo and Chairman of the Gaza Children Trust. 
 
In the early 1990s, Mr. Sicre established the activities of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Africa and the Middle East. He then managed the Forum’s Centre for Regional Strategies and was promoted to WEF Managing Director in 2000. In 2002, he was responsible for moving the Annual Davos Meeting to New York City to show support for New Yorkers after 9/11. In 2003, he was responsible for the Extraordinary Annual Meeting at the Dead Sea in Jordan following the Iraq conflict.

Mr. Sicre has initiated private-sector led dialogue and reconciliation initiatives during South Africa’s transition to democracy, and between Palestinians and Israelis. He also initiated the first Africa and Arab World Competitiveness reports. He oversaw the creation of the Arab Business Council and is editor of ‘South Africa at Ten’, a book celebrating the first ten years of democracy in the country. From 2002 to 2005 he served as a member of the international advisory board of Scripps Medical Foundation, San Diego.

Mr. Sicre holds an MBA from IMD, Switzerland, a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Villanova University, Philadelphia, and is a fellow of Stanford University, Palo Alto.

Hala Badri is responsible for providing the Brand & Communications Vision and Strategic Direction for the benefit of all company stakeholders overseeing du’s overall communications strategy, implementing various corporate communication initiatives.

She is also responsible for leading, resourcing and directing the services of the corporate communications department to ensure effective management of people and resources in compliance with corporate policies and standards, sound business planning and performance management processes.

Under her guidance the corporate communications team has won many laurels:

• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007, held on 22 February 2007
• du declared ‘Best Brand’ at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success on Monday 19th  November 2007
• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007 
• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007 by Extreme TV 
• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award February 2008 
• du Ramadan Tent 2007 wins Best Cultural Event in the Middle East

Prior to du, Badri was the Corporate Communications Manager - Group Brand Management Department - for Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) from 1998 to 2005. In this role she was responsible for sponsorship, exhibition and conference management, corporate communications and website development.

An enterprising UAE national, Badri holds an MBA in Managing E-business from Zayed University and a Higher Diploma in Communication Technology from the Dubai Women's College. She is also a two-time winner of the Sheikh Rashid Awards for Scientific Excellence.

Huraiz joined Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) in September 2009 as the Chief Commercial Officer.

Brought on board to help direct and drive the growing commercialization agenda at ADAC, Huraiz is responsible for building momentum, optimizing returns and delivering on the policy agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi. In addition, he oversees all aspects of commercial development including cargo, airport services, property and business developments, as well as retail, in-flight catering and advertising business.

An MBA graduate in marketing from the American University in USA, Huraiz started his career with the erstwhile Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in 1999 as the Manager of Press Relations and Communications in the Marketing and Corporate Communications Directorate.

Apart from his managerial position, he also headed the ‘Dubai International Airport Cares’ Team, which plays a central role for enhancing customer service at the Airport. He was also appointed as Secretary General of the DCA and was named as the official spokesperson for the Department. After five successful years; Huraiz was appointed as the Director of the Commercial Directorate in September 2005.

When Dubai Airports Company was created in 2007, Huraiz was appointed as the Vice President of the Commercial Unit. He also represented Dubai Airports as a Board Member for Emirates In-flight Catering, and seated in the Board of Dubai Cares and Dubai Rent Committee.

Jameela Al Muhairi has spent her entire professional life working in the education sector in the United Arab Emirates, spending more than ten years studying quality assurance schemes around the world.

A graduate in Management from the UAE University in Al Ain, Al Muhairi spent a number of years working with the Ministry of Education after which she held the position of Director for Dubai Knowledge Village.

Al Muhairi joined the Knowledge and Human Development Authority upon its establishment in 2006 where she was a member of the Council responsible for advising on private education in Dubai.

As a result of her experience with working alongside private schools in Dubai, Al Muhairi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of Chief, which she is employing across all schools in Dubai, public and private.