Dr. El Kalla was appointed on November 19, 1996. A medical practitioner by training, Dr. El Kalla’s experience has extended far beyond clinical practice. With regards to the public health sector, Dr. El Kalla helped lay the foundation for health sector reform and the re-engineering of the Ministry of Health as a key member of the Health Policy Committee. Dr. El Kalla has also managed the following health projects: Family Health project in cooperation with GTZ, regional Center for Training in Family Planning (USAID), and the Cost Recovery for Health projects (USAID). With regards to the education sector, Dr. El Kalla founded and chaired Futures Foundation for Education Training and Development, which educates around 10,000 students. With regards to the trade and commerce sector, Dr. El Kalla is the President of GS1 Egypt, a company that promotes international trade standards. Dr. El Kalla has also developed curricula for nurses’ education in Yemen and has provided training in collaboration with UNRWA for Palestinian nurses in refugee camps. Dr. El Kalla has also setup the foundation for the Child Spacing Program in the Sultanate of Oman, and was a member of the Japanese-Egyptian survey team in Iraq in July 2003. Dr. El Kalla graduated from the University of Texas, “Health Science Center in Houston”, and attended training courses at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Boston and Ohio State Universities. Dr. El Kalla is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of AFS International for Cultural Exchange in New York, and the founder and president of the Egyptian Society for Health Care “ESQUA”. Dr. El Kalla is also an active member of the Egyptian Fertility Society, the American Society of Public Health, and the Specialized National Committee for Health.
Mohamed El Kalla
CEO, CIRA
Mohamed El-Kalla is the Chief Executive Officer of CIRA Education, an EGX30 Company and winner of Africa's top IPO in 2018. CIRA was founded 1993 and currently CIRA is Egypt’s largest investor in the area of private education. It holds more than 17 affiliate companies and brands, including Futures Educational Systems, Rising Stars, Mavericks, British Columbia Canadian International School (BCCIS) and Badr University in Cairo (BUC). CIRA has invested in 26 campuses, serving more than 40,000 students around Egypt, and has plans to expand regionally.
Following a 10-year career in the United Nations that focused on development and corporate sustainability, El-Kalla founded Ahead of the Curve (ATC) consultancy, offering technical assistance to the private sector on corporate social responsibility issues. In 2011, Ahead of the Curve restructured into a leading regional sustainability management think tank focused around inclusive economies, as El-Kalla believed that the region was in dire need of developing a locally sensitized think tank that works on supporting the realization of a MENA-based model for sustainability.
El-Kalla is a specialist in private sector sustainable development, educational and BOP investments, and corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. A graduate of the American University in Cairo, he majored in political science with a specialization in international law and a minor in development studies. He started his career in UNHCR, moving on to UNV, UNRC and UNDP, where he supported the foundation of the Global Compact Network in Egypt, and other countries around the MENA region. El-Kalla is responsible for the creation and management of more than 100 developmental projects and partnerships involving the private sector, including the setup of the Egyptian Responsibility Center and the Center for Transparency at the Ministry of Investment.
Ahmed El Kalla
Non-Executive Director
Mr. El Kalla is a member of the board of directors of the following institutions: Mavericks International Schools (Chairman), EMCO Systems, GS1 Egypt (CEO) and GS1 AISBL. Mr. El Kalla is also a founding partner in Social Impact Venture Partners. Mr. El Kalla has work experience in helping corporates and startups scale and disrupt as well as leading investments and growth initiatives in various industries such as healthcare, blended learning and home service market places. Mr. El Kalla is currently a member of: the innovation and entrepreneurship committee of the American Chamber of Commerce, and the ICT committee of the Egyptian junior businessmen association. Mr. El Kalla received a bachelor of finance from the American University in Cairo in 2002.
Dr. Mohamed Soliman
Non-Executive Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Mr. Soliman is also a member of the board of directors of the following institutions: the Internal Trade Development Authority, NEW Soft Software Company and Systems, “Nations and Future Company”, and the Egyptian Company for Medical Care Administration. Mr. Soliman is the Secretary-General of Badr University in Cairo. Mr. Soliman also has work experience as both a consultant evaluating investment proposals as well as a consultant for the preparation of financial and management studies for educational institutions. Mr. Soliman received a PhD in finance institutions from the Faculty of Commerce of Ein Sham University in 2017.
Dr. Sherif Samy
Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Currently, Mr. Samy is an advisor in the areas of investment, financial markets and corporate governance. Mr. Samy is also member of the following institutions: non-executive chairman of the National Asset Management & Investment SAE, a non-executive board member of GB Auto and a number of non-banking financial services firms, the investment board of the State Pension Funds and the Waqf Authority, the International Advisory Board of the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority. Mr. Samy was also the former president of the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority. In addition, Mr. Samy previously served on the board of several institutions including: the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the Central Bank of Egypt and its Monetary Policy Committee, National Payment Council, the Anti Money Laundering Unit, Banque Du Caire and GAFI. Mr. Samy was also elected as chairman of the board of the following institutions: Financial Services Institute, Egyptian Institute of Directors, Accounting Oversight Board, High Committee for Accounting & Auditing Standards. Mr. Samy previously held leadership positions in investment management and consulting firms, operating in Egypt and various countries within the Arab region (GCC and Levant). Mr. Samy started his career with global consulting firm Accenture in Chicago in 1987 prior to transferring to its regional office in Riyadh. Mr. Samy graduated with High Honors from Alexandria University’s Faculty of Commerce and, over the past two decades, attended a number of executive programs in strategy, investment and management at leading US and European business schools.
Ms. Nermine El-Tahri
Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Ms. Nermine El-Tahri serves as an independent director and an audit committee member at CIRA. The former Sub-Governor at the Central Bank of Egypt ("CBE") currently holds the role of the Assistant Minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises ("MSMEs") at the Ministry of Internal Cooperation, a natural progression after developing an end-to-end MSME ecosystem and an implementation strategy for financial and non-financial services. Prior to her public sector experience, Ms. El-Tahri built a long-standing career in the private banking sector, with leadership roles at Banque Du Caire, Citibank and American Express. During her time at the Central Bank of Egypt, she was named amongst the top 50 most Influential Women in Egypt and received the Governor's recognition for Innovation & Creativity.
Ms. Marwa El Ayouti
Independent Director
Ms. Marwa El Ayouti, a senior finance executive with more than 20 years of local and international experience, serves as a non-executive director on CIRA’s board. Currently the Chief Financial Officer of Orange Egypt, Ms. El Ayouti has developed extensive hands-on management experience with multi-billion-dollar operations, including as the Chief Financial Officer Vodafone Egypt. She also held international roles as Vodafone’s London-based Regional Financial Controller of Asia, Pacific and the Middle East. In June 2001, she received her Master’s degree in Business Administration specializing in International Business & Globalization from Maastricht School of Management. Ms. Ayouti has also been ranked on Forbes 200 Most Powerful Arab Women for four consecutive years between 2014 and 2018, most recently ranked as 27th. She was also honoured by The Egyptian Junior Business Association as one of the most influential and successful Arab women in Egypt's Telecom & Financial sectors. In January 2017, she was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Egyptian Economy by the Economy & Finance magazine.
Mr. Mohamed ElNawawy
Independent Director
As a computer scientist and a lawyer, an entrepreneur, and a corporate officer for nearly 3 decades, Mr. Mohamed ElNawawy’s legal work spans disputes and legal and public policy across a number of fields, including telecom, financial services and social economy. Mohamed worked in Telecom Egypt (“TA”) from 2006, first as a VP and then as an SVP, responsible for wholesale business, international affairs (including submarine cables), and regulatory affairs, which involved managing TE interests with telecom regulators and competition and consumer protection authorities. Mohamed rose to the position of Managing Director and CEO of TE in 2012, and over the span of 3 years developed and modernized operator’s distribution model and pursued licensing agreements to expand TE’s customer base, resulting in revenue growth of 25% and the quadrupling in annual customer installations. In 2014, he commissioned into service EGP 2.5 bn of CAPEX in just under one year, geared mostly towards modernizing TE’s access network. Prior to working at Telecom Egypt, Mohamed founded TE Data in 2021, involved in IP Transit and Managed Data services, where he served as both Managing Director and the Chairman of its board for five years. Prior to this and right after he received his bachelor’s in Computer Science in 1992, Mohamed co-founded InTouch Communications Services SAE, Egypt’s first Internet Service Provider, where he served as Managing Director and Chairman until 2000. Mohamed received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from AUC in 1992, a Master of Laws (LLM) from AUC in 2007 and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Cairo University in 2016. He sits on boards in the fields of FinTech, InsurTech and others.
Mohamed El Kalla
Chief Executive Officer
Mohamed El-Kalla is the Chief Executive Officer of CIRA Education, an EGX30 Company and winner of Africa's top IPO in 2018. CIRA was founded 1993 and currently CIRA is Egypt’s largest investor in the area of private education. It holds more than 17 affiliate companies and brands, including Futures Educational Systems, Rising Stars, Mavericks, British Columbia Canadian International School (BCCIS) and Badr University in Cairo (BUC). CIRA has invested in 26 campuses, serving more than 40,000 students around Egypt, and has plans to expand regionally.
Following a 10-year career in the United Nations that focused on development and corporate sustainability, El-Kalla founded Ahead of the Curve (ATC) consultancy, offering technical assistance to the private sector on corporate social responsibility issues. In 2011, Ahead of the Curve restructured into a leading regional sustainability management think tank focused around inclusive economies, as El-Kalla believed that the region was in dire need of developing a locally sensitized think tank that works on supporting the realization of a MENA-based model for sustainability.
El-Kalla is a specialist in private sector sustainable development, educational and BOP investments, and corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. A graduate of the American University in Cairo, he majored in political science with a specialization in international law and a minor in development studies. He started his career in UNHCR, moving on to UNV, UNRC and UNDP, where he supported the foundation of the Global Compact Network in Egypt, and other countries around the MENA region. El-Kalla is responsible for the creation and management of more than 100 developmental projects and partnerships involving the private sector, including the setup of the Egyptian Responsibility Center and the Center for Transparency at the Ministry of Investment.
Mohamed El Khouly
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. El Khouly has previously served as CFO of Egyptian Contact Center Operator (ECCO), Financial Manager of ECCO, Financial Manager of Marketing International Co. and Sipco Paints Co., Accounting Manager of Marketing International Co. and Sipco Paints Co., Accounting Supervisor at El Banhawi Insulation Co., Internal Auditor at Baron Heliopolis Hotel, Accounting Receivable Supervisor at Hotel Sofitel Sharm EL Sheikh, Head Night Auditor at Riyadh Marriot Hotel, and Night Auditor at Riyadh Marriot Hotel. Mr. El Khouly graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Ein Shams University, Cairo in 1988.
Sarah El Kalla
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Ms. El Kalla is responsible for the delivery of operations, certain program management, and a range of corporate support functions. Ms. El Kalla started her career, as an online learning administrator at the Futures American School. Later on in her career, Ms. El Kalla was the Admissions Director at Futures American School, an International Programs Coordinator at Edu Systems International (ESI), a Guidance Counselor at Futures International School, a Community Outreach Programs Director in Edu Systems International (ESI), the Chief Executive Officer of Edu Systems International (ESI), and the Chief Cross-Functional Services of Futures Educational Systems. Ms. El Kalla also worked in various positions at the American University in Cairo (AUC), including Head Supervisor of the Junior Summer Program and Research Assistant at the Psychology Department. Ms. El Kalla graduated from AUC with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology, and from the American International College (AIC) with a Master of Education (M.E.d.) in International Education.
Nermine Nomany
Chief Education Officer
Mrs. El Noamany is the coordinator for international cooperation at the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. Mrs. El Noamany has had several contributions in the education industry including the STEM Schools, Nile Schools, IB Public Schools, Egyptian Japanese initiative for Education and the Education reform in 2018. Mrs. El Noamany graduated from Ain Shams University (French department) with a bachelor of arts and literature, from Lille University with a Master in Pedagogy and from SENGHOR University with a Masters in Management of Educational Systems. Mrs. Noamany also holds a diploma in Leaderships in Education from Singapore National Institute.
Dr. Muriel Baskerville
Chief Education Advisor
Dr. Baskerville’s career experiences have included providing day-to-day management to early childhood programs, including Head Start in California and Baltimore, college and university instruction as well as managing and developing budgetary processes and proposal writing, having researched, developed, and written several successful early childhood grant initiatives. Dr. Baskerville graduated from University of the District of Columbia with a bachelor in Early Childhood Education. Dr. Baskerville also obtained certificates in teaching English as foreign language and Leadership Development and Organizational Behavior from University of Toronto and Johns Hopkins University, respectively, and is certified in the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). Dr. Baskerville further holds an MA in Clinical Community Psychology and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Baskerville holds a PhD in Education Administration from Morgan State University.
Eman Korany
Chief Human Resources Officer and Governmental Relations
Mrs. Korani has helped the Company in the restructuring of schools hierarchy charts and daily operations process, applying effective quality management and evaluation systems and obtaining the American and British school’s accreditations. Mrs. Korani graduated from Cairo University – Faculty of Commerce – Business and Administration department and holds an MBA from Cairo University. Mrs. Korani also holds an HR Management diploma from the American University in Cairo.
Mona Shokeir
Director of Operations
Ms. Shokeir’s areas of expertise focuses on schools licensing and recruitment of staff members. Ms. Shokeir is also member of the Executive team and director of Futures International School. Ms. Shokeir’s graduated from the American University in Cairo with a bachelor of science. Ms. Shokeir’s also holds a diploma in material engineering.
Kamal Seddik
Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Seddik is professional is various areas relating to computer and electronic engineering, quality management, educational projects management, monitoring and evaluation in the information technology segment. Mr. Seddik has several years of experience working in various areas relating to, amongst other, operation, maintenance and repair of advanced electronic devices and different types of systems. Mr. Seddik has previously held leadership positions in military and other entities. Mr. Seddik graduated from the Military Technical College with a bachelor of electronic engineering and military science, and from Alexandria University with a master’s degree in communication. Mr. Seddik attended, over the past three decades, a number of training programs relating to operation, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment, quality and risk management and development in various countries.
Alyaa Said
Chief Communications Officer
Alyaa was the Co-Founder of one of CIRA Education's schools, Mavericks International School, and leading the Marketing and Revenue functions for Mavericks for three years till now. During the three years, Alyaa was able to found Mavericks brand from scratch and grow the schools from a new school to three well established campuses and grow the brand reputation and school volume of students to nine folds over three years. Alyaa has built valuable partnerships that have benefited the school and will create the positive experience that Mavericks aims to offer. She has also managed marketing activities in a way that invites audiences into Mavericks and helps them understand what blended learning is really all about. Her hard work and dedication with the Mavericks team is an asset to the school and will shine through every child’s success story to come. Alyaa has 11+ years of experience in Digital Marketing and Communication. Prior to Mavericks, Alyaa has been working at global organizations such as Yahoo!, YouTube and AMIDEAST, leading different education/non education projects with global and local markets. Alyaa has managed to grow her markets financial figures tremendously with global exposure covering markets such as United Kingdom, Greece, Romania and China.