Dr. Eric Kamal Hilgendorf was most recently Vice President of MENA at The Quad Initiative, where he concentrated on organizational performance and development, education entrepreneurship, leadership development and succession, and organizational advancement and diversification. Dr. Hilgendorf was also Associate Dean of Community and Education Engagement at New York University Abu Dhabi, where he created innovative programs that advanced national and institutional priorities for the university. Over his seven years, he created sustainable programming in the areas of K-16 pipeline building, teacher advancement and professional development, organization and school development, leadership and identity, resource and enterprise planning, and institutional advancement. Prior to this, Dr. Hilgendorf served as Director of Education Operations for Vanderbilt University in the UAE, where he steered several educational programs encompassing educational leadership, coaching and assessment models, trajectory planning and professional development for 20+ schools. In advance of that, he was Co-Director for Technical Support for the National Center for Performance Pay (TIF) at Vanderbilt University, where he won an Emmy for a film he co-produced (A Matter of Principals).

Dr. Salma Waly, awarded as an outstanding Arab American under the age of 40 in 2022, is an innovative educator dedicated to harnessing education’s transformative potential to build communities. Throughout her career, Dr. Waly has worked in various educational domains, including higher education teaching and research, school leadership, and designing and evaluating tailored programs across continents. With extensive experience working in diverse settings, including the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Japan, Indonesia, China, and South America, Dr. Waly’s leadership is evident in orchestrating effective teamwork, meticulous project management, and impactful communication strategies. She has held senior leadership roles, including one in an EdTech startup, where she actively participated in strategy and decision-making processes, contributing to shaping the organization’s direction. Dr. Waly has authored multiple book chapters and academic articles in top peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Waly founded Universal Narratives LLC, an educational consulting company based in New York State, specializing in online teaching and learning. Simultaneously, she hosts the Universal Narratives Podcast, which cultivates a global platform to unite professionals in championing social justice and equity in education. She is also the author of a children’s book series titled ‘Maryam the New Yorker’, reflecting her global experiences and international upbringing.

Dr. Rana Zein has previously held positions at various universities across the MENA region, including UAE University, Zayed University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology. Dr. Zein’s contributions focus on innovative teaching methods and educational leadership. Dr. Zein also has extensive experience in school teaching, particularly in coordinating ICT and mathematics programs. With a strong background in both academia and professional practice, Dr. Zein has played a pivotal role in shaping educational practices throughout the region. Her research emphasizes educational reform, curriculum development, and the integration of technology in education. Dr. Zein is highly regarded for her dedication to fostering a dynamic learning environment for future educators.

Dr. Ayman Massouti has 20 years’ experience in education within the UAE and Canada. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Dr. Massouti is dedicated to student engagement. His research focuses on teacher education, inclusive education policy, and educational leadership in schools and higher education. Dr Ayman advocates for educators to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards. Having collaborated with prominent scholars on curriculum studies and policy projects in Canada and the UAE, Dr. Massouti is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and an Ontario Certified Teacher. Prior to his current role, Dr. Massouti was Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator at Abu Dhabi University. He also taught in the teacher education program at Western University in Canada where he contributed to research on school leadership, online learning during COVID-19, and educational program evaluation in K-12 settings.