Governance comprises the Board of Directors (Board) and an Advisory Council.
The Board includes the owners and an independent member. It is involved in all strategic areas including the school’s philosophy and objectives, policies, appointment and review of the leadership team, managing key relationships, ensuring quality infrastructure, resources and financial stability.
The Advisory Council comprises all stakeholders including parents, professionals, Innoventures Education group management and a Board Director. It meets three to four times a year and provides regular inputs to the Board. The Advisory Council’s role is to support continuous improvement, guide development and hold the school leadership accountable for the quality of education delivered. Its significant contribution to school governance has been recognized by the KHDA inspection team and the joint accreditation team from Council of International Schools (CIS), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and International Baccalaureate (IB).
Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair - Chairman
Abdulla is an UAE national and a third generation member of a prominent business family. He brings an acute understanding of local culture and business acumen to organizations. His interests span marketing services, education, contracting, building materials, retailing and ceramic tiles manufacturing. Abdulla also serves on the boards of Majid Al Futtaim Real Estate and is the Chairman of BPG Group, a leading marketing solutions provider in the MENA region.
H.E. Dr. Gargash Anwar - Director
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs of the UAE. Having taught political science for over a decade at the UAE University, he has a long and rich background in academics. He is also a member of several government and advisory boards. He was, until recently, the Executive Director of Gargash Enterprises, the authorised dealers for Mercedes-Benz in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Earlier in his career, Dr. Gargash studied political science at the George Washington University in Washington DC, USA and got his doctorate from King's College, Cambridge University, UK.
Avishesha (Avi) Bhojani - Managing Director
Avi's 40+ year career spans Marketing Services, Media, Education, Private Equity, Real Estate Direct Investments and Government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Avi has also assisted in the conceptualization and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas).
An Alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is also the Managing Director of Innoventures Education the operators of Dubai International Academy and various Raffles Schools & nurseries etc.; General Partner of AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner/ Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. Avi has held several Board positions including the Founding Boards of Endeavor UAE and International Institute of Tolerance.
Avi is widely recognized as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognized by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company.
Avishesha (Avi) Bhojani
Avi's 40+ year career spans Marketing Services, Media, Education, Private Equity, Real Estate Direct Investments and Government sectors. At the helm of the BPG Group since 1991, Avi consolidates the Group's interests across advertising, public relations, design, activation, media asset management and digital verticals, in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Avi has also assisted in the conceptualization and execution of a number of strategic Dubai initiatives (Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Shopping Festival etc.) and has served the Government of Dubai while assisting with the development of Knowledge Economy hubs in Dubai (Internet, Media and Ideas).
An Alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Avi is also the Managing Director of Innoventures Education the operators of Dubai International Academy and various Raffles Schools & nurseries etc.; General Partner of AMEA Ventures Ltd, Partner/ Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai LLC, and Chairman of International Management Ventures FZ LLC. Avi has held several Board positions including the Founding Boards of Endeavor UAE and International Institute of Tolerance.
Avi is widely recognized as one of the most influential expats in the GCC, and has been honored by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his contribution to the evolution of Dubai Shopping Festival. Avi has also been recognized by leading media such as Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business, both as an Entrepreneur of the Year as well as a Chief Executive of a Media company.
Poonam Bhojani
Poonam is an Economics Honours Graduate with an MBA from India's premier business school, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Prior to envisioning and cofounding Dubai International Academy, Poonam has had significant industry experience working on leading edge technology solutions with a range of organizations across India, Hong Kong, USA, Belgium, Sweden, The Netherlands, Oman and UAE. She is the CEO of Innoventures Education and has served as the President of the Middle East IB Association of Schools and is the Secretary of the Dubai Private Schools Group.
Sahia Ahmad
Sahia Ahmad, a Barrister, is the General Counsel of Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, the entity responsible for regulating the tourism sector and the marketing of Dubai as a destination. She is an Emirati, who completed her schooling in Dubai and studied Law at Kings College, London. As a member of Lincoln's Inn, Sahia is the first UAE National to become a member of English Bar. Sahia's career has included practising Law in the UAE for 20 years at Allen & Overy, as founding General Counsel of Dubai World, as a Partner in one of the world’s largest law firms and as the General Counsel of Emirates Investment Authority, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the UAE Federal Government. She has advised governments and multinationals through her career and involved in drafting many of Dubai and UAE Laws. Her four children study at DIA.
Dr. Imad Y. Hoballah
Dr. Imad Y. Hoballah is the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of The American University in Dubai (AUD), leading the academic and pedagogical transformation, providing guidance and support for all AUD academic operations. His career bridges experience as an academic and practicing communications professional. He has extensive public services experience as the Chairman and CEO of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Lebanon for over 5 years, and as the Head of Telecom Technologies Unit for 8 years. Dr. Hoballah served as the CEO of OMNIX Media Networks (UAE), and has held several executive and leadership positions at Lucent Technologies and AT&T Bell Laboratories in Africa, the Middle East, and the US.
Alan Egbert
Alan has been a Teacher, Teacher Educator, Educational Consultant, and currently is General Manager of the Australian Council for Educational, Dubai office and is responsible for the direction of a wide national and international programs in the UAE and Middle East region. He has extensive experience in working with schools and developing effective assessment programs for students and schools. Alan is currently also Project Director for the UAE National Assessment Program (UAENAP 2015). He is also a parent at DIA.
Michael Stephen
Michael is the Director, Finance & Administration at Innoventures Education. He is a Chartered Accountant and has a Diploma in Portfolio Management with over 20 years' experience in consulting and industry. He was part of the core team of Innoventures Education that set up Dubai International Academy in 2005. Michael started his career in an accounting firm focused on audit, tax, corporate law, and business and investment advisory services. He is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, UK and has been on the faculty of a business school in Dubai.