Board of Trustees
The ARIS Board of Trustees
The Al-Rayan International School Board consists of elected and appointed members, who are primarily parents of students enrolled in the school and members of the GISER. The Board strives for gender balance and diversity of cultural background, skills, and experience. All members are volunteers.
As the legal authorising body of ARIS, the Board focuses its efforts first and foremost on supporting and promoting the school’s mission, aims and ethos. Furthermore, it appoints and supports the school’s Director, oversees the school’s financial health, in addition to reviewing and updating the school’s policies and procedures.
Every 3-4 years the Board drives the creation of a strategic plan, in collaboration with and informed by contributions from the ARIS community. The most recent strategic plan was presented in 2019 and is currently being reviewed.
The Board consists of 4 subcommittees and holds monthly meetings; also present at these meetings can be any co-opted advisors, along with members of the school's administration, faculty representatives and a student representative.
As is customary, the Board delegates the day-to-day administration and operational decisions to the Director.
Board Composition
Chair
The Board Chair acts as a sounding board in weekly meetings with the Director and oversees the composition and functioning of the subcommittees, of which she/he is an ex officio member. In addition, the Chair leads the annual Board induction, presides over Board meetings and presents the annual report at the Annual General Meeting. The Board Chair liaises with and delegates authority to the Vice-Chair as and when needed.
- Chair: Hazem Chalabi
Hazem was born in Ghana and is a professional with extensive leadership and management experience. Hazem has been a board member of ARIS since September 2023, he currently serves as the Board Chairperson of ARIS. He is also the President of Salaam by GISER (since May 2023).
He is currently the General Manager, After-Sales & Tires at Japan Motors Trad. Co. Ltd., a position he has been serving since January 2020. With a BA in Private Law from Université Saint-Joseph in Lebanon, his career spans over two decades with significant roles at Japan Motors Trading Co. Ltd. and Silver Star Auto Limited covering Human Resources, Administration and After-Sales.
His dedication to excellence is evident through his participation in global training programs and conferences including some organised by the Governance Training Center and Association of International Schools Africa (AISA).
Finance
The Finance Committee liaises with the school's Financial Controller and Accountant to provide advice and guidance on all financial matters. In addition, this committee reviews and identifies any issues relating to the school's operating and capital budgets and annual external audit processes.
- Sanjay Verma
Sanjay Verma is a seasoned finance and business leader with over 25 years of experience across the automotive and trading sectors, with a strong footprint in West Africa. He currently serves as Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Japan Motors, overseeing financial strategy, operations, and governance across multiple markets including Ghana, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Mali, and Nigeria.
Sanjay has extensive expertise in corporate finance, project financing, transfer pricing, and multi-country business operations. He has played a pivotal role in structuring cross-border financing solutions, strengthening banking relationships, and driving sustainable growth across the Group’s automotive and mobility businesses. His leadership has been instrumental in optimizing financial performance, enhancing internal controls, and supporting expansion into new markets.
Beyond finance, Sanjay actively contributes to strategic decision-making at the board and executive levels, advising on business development, pricing strategies, and operational efficiency. As an Executive Director, he plays a key role in shaping the Group’s long-term vision, governance standards, and regional expansion strategy.
Sanjay is a qualified member of CIMA (UK) and CMA (India), and holds an Executive MBA from CEIBS. He is passionate about building strong teams, developing future leaders, and driving long-term value creation through disciplined financial management and strategic insight.
- Mohamad Sabouni
Mohamad Sabouni, M.Ed., was born in Lebanon and completed his early education there before building a distinguished career across education, leadership, governance, and nonprofit development. He brings more than 17 years of experience in education, 15 years in leadership, 5 years in governance, and over a decade of nonprofit engagement.
Before joining Salaam by G.I.S.E.R, Mohamad spent more than 15 years in the private education sector in Sydney, Australia, where he served as a High School Teacher and later as Head of Technology and Extracurricular Departments. He developed strong expertise in educational leadership, student development, programme coordination, and whole-school improvement.
He currently serves as Executive Secretary of Salaam by G.I.S.E.R, where he leads executive coordination and operational oversight across school operations, governance, policy development, compliance, finance oversight, and institutional reform. His work spans multiple educational institutions and community initiatives, with a strong focus on strengthening accountability systems, improving organisational effectiveness, developing policy frameworks, supporting strategic partnerships, and advancing access to quality education and social support for vulnerable students, orphans, and underserved families.
In addition to his executive role, Mohamad serves as a Board Director of GIM Foundation Australia. He has also engaged with donors, embassies, regulators, and international partners in support of educational development, institutional partnerships, and community-based initiatives.
Mohamad is known for his principled, reform-driven, child-centred, and governance-focused leadership style. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of New England, Sydney, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership in Schools Education from Macquarie University, Sydney.
- Fatma Odaymat
Dr Fatma was born in Ghana and completed her primary education in West Africa. Before joining the world of international education, she was involved in developing and managing education and protection programmes for children of all ages across Africa and the Middle East. As a United Nations Officer and consultant, she designed and managed programmes in Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, Child Labour, as well as Education in Emergencies and Conflict Areas. She has also been involved in designing innovative learning spaces and training programmes for teachers and administrators, in addition to working with governments on the ratification of education and protection policies.
Dr. Fatma brings this global experience to Al-Rayan International School, where she works with more than 240 staff to ensure that students experience the highest standards in international education, with a strong focus on international-mindedness, wellbeing, personalised learning, and service learning. In addition to her role at ARIS, Dr. Fatma is actively engaged in educational leadership across the continent. She has served on the Board of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) for the past seven years, including as Board Chair and Vice Chair, and has been a member of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation (ADO) Board for the past four years.
She also supports many Heads of Schools across Africa as a mentor, contributing to leadership development and capacity building within the region. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is a Medical Doctor by training. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health, a certification in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
- Mandeep Kaur
Mandeep Kaur Kheterpal is a Finance and accounts leader with over two decades of global experience spanning education, technology, and healthcare sectors. Currently serving as Head of Finance & Accounts at Al Rayan International School (ARIS) in Accra, she is a key member of the senior management team and board finance committee, driving strategic financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, and data-driven decision-making.
She has worked in a broad spectrum of roles in the Finance and Accounting function of companies like Agilent Technologies, Quark Inc., Gates India Pvt. Ltd. where she managed complex financial operations, revenue systems, and cross-regional asset portfolios. She has served at the company level and also the group corporate level in the United States which gave her good exposure of financial integration across group companies laterally. She was also running her own Skill Centre in India with 125+ students before moving to Africa in 2018.
Mandeep brings expertise in financial governance, process optimization, and team leadership.
- Hazem Chalabi
Governance
The Governance Committee ensures effective Board leadership in accordance with the school's mission, ethos, ongoing needs and development goals. In addition, the Governance committee plays a vital role in Board succession planning, orientation, governance training, and Board evaluation. Last but not least, this committee oversees the development, review, amendment, adoption, and annulment of the school's policies and procedures.
- Theodore Albright
- Dr Fatma Odaymat
Dr Fatma was born in Ghana and completed her primary education in West Africa. Before joining the world of international education, she was involved in developing and managing education and protection programmes for children of all ages across Africa and the Middle East. As a United Nations Officer and consultant, she designed and managed programmes in Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, Child Labour, as well as Education in Emergencies and Conflict Areas. She has also been involved in designing innovative learning spaces and training programmes for teachers and administrators, in addition to working with governments on the ratification of education and protection policies.
Dr. Fatma brings this global experience to Al-Rayan International School, where she works with more than 240 staff to ensure that students experience the highest standards in international education, with a strong focus on international-mindedness, wellbeing, personalised learning, and service learning. In addition to her role at ARIS, Dr. Fatma is actively engaged in educational leadership across the continent. She has served on the Board of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) for the past seven years, including as Board Chair and Vice Chair, and has been a member of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation (ADO) Board for the past four years.
She also supports many Heads of Schools across Africa as a mentor, contributing to leadership development and capacity building within the region. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is a Medical Doctor by training. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health, a certification in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
- Aziza Atta
Aziza Atta is a seasoned multi-lingual UK and Ghana-qualified corporate and commercial lawyer with over 30 years of international experience across Europe, the GCC, and Africa. She holds an LL.B from the University of Manchester, an LL.M from University College London, and a Diploma in Legal Practice from London Guildhall University, and is also a graduate of the Ghana School of Law.
She has practised with leading international law firms, including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Norton Rose Fulbright, and currently serves as Senior Counsel at a Ghanaian law firm and Partner at an international law firm. Aziza advises on complex corporate and commercial matters across various continents. Aziza brings extensive board-level experience, having served on the boards of multiple NGOs across West Africa, Central America, and Europe. Her governance approach is grounded in ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory standards.
She has led and supported a wide range of education and development initiatives, including literacy and vocational training programmes in Central America and West Africa, and has contributed to policy and research in education, notably through her work on the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in collaboration with Imperial College London and the Partnership for Child Development. In addition, Aziza has significant experience in communications for development through her work with BBC Media Action, contributing to educational programming aimed at improving social outcomes. Aziza combines deep legal expertise with practical governance experience and a strong commitment to education.
Facilities
To oversee, review, and monitor all development projects of the School. To maintain the School’s facilities.
- Omar Fattal
- Dr Fatma Odaymat
Dr Fatma was born in Ghana and completed her primary education in West Africa. Before joining the world of international education, she was involved in developing and managing education and protection programmes for children of all ages across Africa and the Middle East. As a United Nations Officer and consultant, she designed and managed programmes in Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, Child Labour, as well as Education in Emergencies and Conflict Areas. She has also been involved in designing innovative learning spaces and training programmes for teachers and administrators, in addition to working with governments on the ratification of education and protection policies.
Dr. Fatma brings this global experience to Al-Rayan International School, where she works with more than 240 staff to ensure that students experience the highest standards in international education, with a strong focus on international-mindedness, wellbeing, personalised learning, and service learning. In addition to her role at ARIS, Dr. Fatma is actively engaged in educational leadership across the continent. She has served on the Board of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) for the past seven years, including as Board Chair and Vice Chair, and has been a member of the Africa Dyslexia Organisation (ADO) Board for the past four years.
She also supports many Heads of Schools across Africa as a mentor, contributing to leadership development and capacity building within the region. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is a Medical Doctor by training. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health, a certification in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
- Malek El Assaad
- Reina Hamoui
- Dayna Toutoungi