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Advisory Board

The advisory board is the corporate body established as per the requirements of the Ministry of Higher Education to take responsibility for ensuring the capacity of the EM Normandie Dubai campus to fulfil its main mission. The Advisory board plays a strategic role by providing oversight and input regarding the EMN Dubai’s large-scale goals and its financial and physical resources, and by advocating for the College locally, nationally, and internationally.

Prof. Khaireddine Mouakhar
Chair of the advisory board

Prof. Khaireddine Mouakhar, a seasoned professional, currently serves as the Director of EM Normandie’s Dubai Campus and holds the esteemed position of Professor of Strategy. With a solid academic background and an extensive academic career, Prof. Mouakhar brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his roles.  

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Stephanie Salha

Agnes Lopez Cruz
Managing Director of CCI France UAE

Agnes Lopez Cruz is an international expert in Management, Communication, and Business Development with over 20 years of experience across the UK, France, and the UAE. Her diverse career positions have played a vital role in the growth of the organisations she has been associated with.  

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Dr. Jean-Michel Moriniere
International Lawyer, Vice Chair of the advisory board

Dr. Jean-Michel Moriniere brings over two decades of extensive experience as an international trade, insurance, and shipping lawyer. For the past 17 years, he has been a prominent figure in the legal landscape of the United Arab Emirates.  

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Dounia Alsawaf
Head of Campus France UAE

Dounia Alsawaf currently serves as the Head of Campus France UAE within the Cultural Department of the French Embassy to the UAE. With a passion for promoting French higher education, Dounia brings a wealth of experience to her role, making knowledge about the French education system accessible to students in the UAE.  

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Talal Balalaa
Group Chief Human Resources Officer (GCHRO)

Talal Balalaa is an accomplished Chief Human Resources Officer with over a decade of experience in enhancing organizational dynamics and driving human capital initiatives within global corporations. Holding an Engineering degree from UAE University, Talal has honed his expertise in strategic workforce planning, talent management, Emiratization, and leadership development.

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Mohammed Al Katheeri
Head of Financial Control at Emirates Development Bank

Mohammed Al Katheeri is a meticulous and strategic financial planning, control, and management professional with over eight years of experience in optimising financial operations. In his current role as the Head of Financial Control at Emirates Development Bank, Mohammed Al Katheeri continues to demonstrate his financial acumen by ensuring compliance with global financial standards. 

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Dr Yasser Alwaheedi
President, Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy

Serving as President of Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, part of AD Ports Group, Dr Yasser Wahedi manages day-to-day operations at the Academy. He is responsible for developing and monitoring procedures and policies to ensure regulatory compliance, and is also charged with devising and implementing the Academy’s overall long-term strategic plans.

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Sophie Omnes
General Manager at CMA CGM Abu Dhabi

Sophie Omnes is currently serving as the General Manager at CMA CGM Abu Dhabi, where she leads a team of professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality logistics and operations solutions to clients in the region. With over ten years of experience in the maritime industry, Sophie has developed a strong expertise in business development, customer relationship management, and intermodal coordination.  

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Laurent Ferry
General Manager UAE at Bolloré Logistics

Laurent Ferry brings a wealth of experience in the logistics and international transport industry, with an impressive career spanning 35 years, including 22 years abroad. He is recognised for his exceptional skills in sales development, team leadership, business development, sales, and marketing management at both country and regional levels.  

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Prof. Khaireddine Mouakhar

Prof. Khaireddine Mouakhar, a seasoned professional, currently serves as the Founder President and CEO of EM Normandie Dubai. He holds the esteemed position of full Professor of Strategy. With a solid academic background and an extensive academic career of 20 years in the Academia, Prof. Mouakhar brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his roles.

Key Skills & Expertise 

Prof. Mouakhar brings a wealth of skills and experiences to his role as the President of the EM Normandie campus in Dubai. His career is characterised by strong management of higher education structures and the effective supervision of cross-functional teams. He excels in quality management of higher education procedures, institutional representation, and public relations. Prof. Mouakhar is known for his expertise in creating, developing, and managing higher education programs. His international reach extends to managing partnerships, negotiating strategic agreements in the MENA Zone, and promoting international programs. 

Previous Experience 

Prior to assuming his current role, Prof. Mouakhar held several significant positions in academia and management. These roles included serving as Caen Branch Director at EM Normandie and Programm Academic Director as well, where he honed his leadership and strategic thinking skills. Additionally, he functioned as Professor in Management at Rouen University and Director of Multimodal Training and Project Manager at French CCI Ouest, showcasing his expertise in developing management trainings.  

Prof. Mouakhar also contributed significantly to the academic and training domains through key positions at Ingenium- Normandie, and Polytechnicum-Normandie, reflecting his versatile and well-rounded professional background. 

His rich background and diverse expertise make him an invaluable asset in academia. His commitment to excellence is evident in his achievements and dedication to his roles. 

Education 

Prof. Mouakhar holds a PhD in Strategic Management from Caen University-Normandie. He is also graduated from the Paris Military School and the Center for Strategic Studies of the French Navy. He serves since many years as “ Commander (Reserve) in the French Navy”.

He published multiple (more than 20) academic articles in prestigious international journals, His research interests include the strategic behaviour of companies, absorptive capacities, CSR, business models, dynamic capabilities, digital transformation and quantitative methods.

Agnes Lopez Cruz

Agnes Lopez Cruz is an international expert in Management, Communication, and Business Development with over 20 years of experience across the UK, France, and the UAE. Her diverse career positions have played a vital role in the growth of the organisations she has been associated with.  

Currently serving as the Managing Director of CCI France UAE, Agnes plays a vital role in leading the organisation, ensuring its growth, and addressing the challenges faced by the French and local business communities in the United Arab Emirates and the GCC region. Under her leadership, CCI France UAE has become the largest French, Francophone, and Francophile business community in the Middle East, representing over 800 members from small, mid-market, and large enterprises. 

Key Skills & Expertise 

Agnes has consistently led and provided creative ideas, innovative projects, and essential management support to board-level executives, contributing to achieving strategic objectives, sales targets, and service excellence.  

Agnes specializes in general management, encompassing marketing, sales, communication, business development, budget management, and lobbying. Her expertise extends to Change Management, where she has demonstrated her ability to optimise organisational structures, create dedicated departments, and enhance human skills. Her multifaceted skill set has made her a trusted professional in various business management domains. 

Agnes’ prior roles include serving as the Managing Director of the French Business Council Dubai & Northern Emirates, where she played a crucial role in its growth and received the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award. Additionally, she served as the Executive Director of the same organisation. She demonstrated her leadership skills by managing a team, building relations, coordinating seminars and conferences, and actively lobbying on behalf of member firms.

Dr. Jean-Michel Moriniere

Dr. Jean-Michel Moriniere brings over two decades of extensive experience as an international trade, insurance, and shipping lawyer. For the past 17 years, he has been a prominent figure in the legal landscape of the United Arab Emirates. 

Key Skills & Expertise 

Dr Moriniere is renowned for his diverse expertise, spanning various sectors, including academia, aviation, culture, defence, industry, logistics, oil and gas, transport, retail, and utilities. His in-depth knowledge extends to corporate and commercial law, insurance, shipping, and dispute resolution. Jean-Michel has successfully navigated contentious and non-contentious legal matters, crafting bespoke legal strategies and corporate solutions. 

His client portfolio encompasses governments, publicly listed companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Dr Moriniere is pivotal in guiding clients through intricate projects, negotiating commercial agreements, overseeing distribution and representation contracts, facilitating corporate arrangements and joint ventures, handling offsets insurance matters, and providing adept dispute resolution services. 

With experience establishing and auditing in-house legal functions for clients, Jean-Michel possesses an innate understanding of the client’s unique needs, enabling him to deliver pragmatic and timely solutions. 

Before joining Al Aidarous, Dr Moriniere held key positions at HBM Partners (formerly Honig Buffat Mettetal – HPMBC) and Clyde & Co in France and the UAE. In addition, he has lectured at several universities, including Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and served as a delegate to various international organisations, including UNCITRAL and EU. 

Dounia Alsawaf

Dounia Alsawaf currently serves as the Head of Campus France UAE within the Cultural Department of the French Embassy to the UAE. With a passion for promoting French higher education, Dounia brings a wealth of experience to her role, making knowledge about the French education system accessible to students in the UAE. 

Key Skills & Expertise 

One of her key accomplishments is implementing the “Etudes en France” procedure in the UAE, a Ministry initiative to streamline the study plans of individuals applying to French universities. 

Dounia Alsawaf’s dedication to promoting French higher education extends to identifying talented UAE nationals and international students for prestigious scholarship opportunities offered by private companies. She provides comprehensive support throughout the administrative admission process, enabling students to secure admissions to top French higher education institutions.  

Ms Alsawaf oversees the issuance of authenticity certificates for French degree holders, enabling them to fulfil submission requirements at the UAE Ministry of Education and establish their professional presence in the region. She also plays a pivotal role in preparing the annual budget for Campus France actions, optimising resource allocation to achieve desired outcomes. 

In addition to her role at Campus France, Dounia Alsawaf has a rich background in education. She has taught French in various countries, including France, the Czech Republic, and the UAE. Her teaching experience spans diverse audiences, ranging from adults and teenagers to individuals in correctional facilities, fostering linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. 

Ms Alsawaf’s commitment to promoting access to education, facilitating scholarship opportunities, and ensuring a seamless experience for students aspiring to study in France demonstrates her unwavering dedication to education. Her contributions continue to empower students in the UAE to pursue their academic aspirations in France.

Talal Balalaa

Talal Balalaa is an accomplished Chief Human Resources Officer with over a decade of experience in enhancing organizational dynamics and driving human capital initiatives within global corporations. Holding an Engineering degree from UAE University, Talal has honed his expertise in strategic workforce planning, talent management, Emiratization, and leadership development.  

Key Skills & Expertise 

At EMAAR Group, Talal is spearheading the transformation of the HR division, integrating advanced HR technologies, and establishing robust policies that increased employee retention and reduced hiring costs. His leadership in diversity and inclusion programs has positioned the company as a leader in workforce diversity.

Previously, Talal successfully led HR operations, aligning the company’s strategic goals with employee performance. His innovative approach to performance management and succession planning has been pivotal in driving business continuity and growth.

Talal is a respected thought leader in the HR field, frequently speaking at international conferences. He is serving on the board of several profit and non-profit organizations focused on education and workforce development in the fields of energy and finance.

Mohammed Al Katheeri

Mohammed Al Katheeri is a meticulous and strategic financial planning, control, and management professional with over eight years of experience in optimising financial operations. In his current role as the Head of Financial Control at Emirates Development Bank, Mohammed Al Katheeri continues to demonstrate his financial acumen by ensuring compliance with global financial standards.  

Key Skills & Expertise 

As a Certified Public Accountant, Mr Al Katheeri possesses strong commercial acumen, specialising in financial procedures, working capital management, internal financial controls, and costing. His expertise is evaluating business operations and implementing innovative changes to enhance revenue growth, profitability, performance, and compliance. 

Mr Al Katheeri has a track record of delivering strategic financial advisory services to achieve business profitability goals, establish financial controls, and manage diverse accounting activities. He has Chaired and led several key committees, including the Chairman of the Procurement committee and Budget Committee, along with the Vice President of the Human Resource committee and Innovation committee. 

He is committed to enhancing stakeholder trust and transparency and improving commercial effectiveness through streamlined budgeting and forecasting processes. He has chaired and led various key committees, including the Procurement Committee and Budget Committee, demonstrating his leadership skills. 

His career journey has included roles at Premier Brains, General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA), Rabdan Academy, and Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), where he consistently delivered exceptional financial management and reporting.

Serving as President of Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, part of AD Ports Group, Dr Yasser Wahedi manages day-to-day operations at the Academy. He is responsible for developing and monitoring procedures and policies to ensure regulatory compliance, and is also charged with devising and implementing the Academy’s overall long-term strategic plans.

Prior to joining AD Ports Group, Dr Al Wahedi garnered more than 16 years’ experience in the field of industrial research and academia.

A seasoned educator, Dr Al Wahedi has taught university programmes to more than 700 students spanning various fields in Engineering. He also supervised and co-supervised numerous graduate students pursuing M.Sc. and PhD.

His research includes authoring and co-authoring more than 40 journal publications including one featured in the prestigious Science.

He has served in several research committees, and held the role of Chief Technology Officer at the Gas Research Center, where he became well versed in establishing research administrative procedures and policies, managing project portfolios valued at USD 32 million, and directly managing research projects worth USD 3.2 million.

A committed and noteworthy inventor, Dr Al Wahedi is a patent holder of two granted patent and three filed patents.

Dr Al Wahedi received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the United State ranked third over USA in 2015.

Sophie Omnes

Sophie Omnes is currently serving as the General Manager at CMA CGM Abu Dhabi, where she leads a team of professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality logistics and operations solutions to clients in the region. With over ten years of experience in the maritime industry, Sophie has developed a strong expertise in business development, customer relationship management, and intermodal coordination. 

In her current role at CMA CGM, Sophie oversees the company’s operations in Abu Dhabi, ensuring efficiency and excellence in maritime logistics. Her skills include data analysis and leadership, which are pivotal in her role as General Manager. 

Key Skills & Expertise 

Her diverse roles allowed her to develop various skills, including data analysis, customer relationship management, and sales expertise. She is known for her ability to analyse market trends, build strong relationships with agents, work effectively in teams, demonstrate autonomy, and provide insightful reporting. 

Prior to her role in Abu Dhabi, Sophie served as a Business Developer at CMA CGM, focusing on the LEVANT Regional office. Her responsibilities included collecting and interpreting market statistics data, identifying market opportunities, and monitoring the commercial offer and performance of several countries. She also provided training and marketing on additional services proposed by the group. 

Ms Omnes’s career journey has taken her to different parts of the world, including Gabon, where she served as Export and Intermodal Coordinator and Area Manager in Marseille, managing NAF Trade, EPIC, and FAL lines. 

Her career in the maritime industry, coupled with her educational achievements and passion for innovation and sustainability, make her a dynamic and impactful leader in her role as General Manager at CMA CGM Abu Dhabi. Her commitment to excellence continues to drive success in the maritime logistics field. 

Laurent Ferry

Laurent Ferry brings a wealth of experience in the logistics and international transport industry, with an impressive career spanning 35 years, including 22 years abroad. He is recognised for his exceptional skills in sales development, team leadership, business development, sales, and marketing management at both country and regional levels. 

Currently serving as the General Manager UAE at Bolloré Logistics, Mr Ferry is pivotal in leading the company’s operations and ensuring its continued success. His extensive background and expertise make him a valuable asset in managing complex logistics challenges in the United Arab Emirates. 

Key Skills & Expertise 

Mr Ferry’s educational foundation in transport and logistics, complemented by his extensive hands-on experience, has positioned him as a dynamic and accomplished leader in the logistics industry. His ability to connect people and businesses and his strategic thinking and leadership skills continue to drive success as General Manager UAE at Bolloré Logistics. 

Mr Ferry’s career journey has been marked by impactful roles, reflecting his versatile skill set and leadership abilities. Prior to his current position, he served as Director at Radio Energie Asia, contributing to the growth and success of the organisation during his tenure. 

A significant portion of his career was spent at GEODIS, where he held various key positions, showcasing his ability to take on diverse responsibilities. His journey with GEODIS began as a Sales Director in India, where he was instrumental in shaping the company’s sales strategies and achieving remarkable results. He became General Manager for Sales and Marketing in the Asia Pacific region at GEODIS, where he played a vital role in expanding the company’s presence and driving growth in the region.  Later, as the Managing Director in Thailand, he demonstrated strong leadership and took ownership of the profit and loss (P&L) responsibilities, making strategic decisions that positively impacted the business.  

Prior to his international assignments, Mr Ferry gained valuable experience in his home country, France. He served as a Branch Manager at Setcargo International and played a pivotal role in export operations.

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Hela Triki

Hela Triki is a versatile professional with a wide-ranging skill set that encompasses effective time management, financial acumen, confidence, initiative, global awareness, cultural competence, and exceptional interpersonal and networking skills. As the Quality Coordinator and Office Manager for the President at EM Normandie Business School, she plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of operations. 

Previous Experience 

Hela’s career reflects her dedication and versatility across various roles. She previously served as an Administrative Manager and Partner at Sawani Ala Alhatab Restaurant, where she managed daily operations, improved administrative processes, controlled inventory, and handled budgets. 

Her experience as a Business Development Manager at Tradepedia Academy highlighted her strategic expertise in devising market-targeting initiatives. Hela’s insights into stock market investment and proactive client approach significantly contributed to the academy’s success. 

In addition to her managerial roles as Customer Service Manager and Assistant Contracts Manager at Integrated Gas Services,  she also has a rich educational background. She served as a Classroom Teacher at Dubai American Scientific School and as an Administrator and Students Recruitment Manager at Vatel Emirates, where she played a pivotal role in establishing the school, recruiting students, and managing relationships with agents and colleges. Her passion for education is evident from her past positions as a Social Studies Teacher at Dubai American Scientific School and an English Teacher at Mahres School in Sfax, where she prioritised creating engaging learning environments and nurturing students’ academic growth. 

Education 

Hela holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language & Literature from Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, in 2002.  

Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and CRM Systems, Ms Triki possesses a strong command of multiple languages, including Arabic, English, and French. 

Sowmya Vivek

Dr Sowmya is a seasoned quality professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field of quality management within the domain of higher education and banking. Her past 10 years of experience has been in higher education where she held diverse roles including as a faculty and head of quality assurance.

Key Skills & Expertise 

Dr Sowmya Vivek brings to the table a diverse 20 years of international experience having worked in senior management positions in banking and academics in India, Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE.

Sowmya Vivek has been Director of Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Assurance at EM Normandie, Dubai Campus since August 2022. In her current role as Director, she is responsible for all aspects of institutional effectiveness and quality assurance including local and international accreditations for EM Normandie Dubai campus.

Dr Sowmya is also an accomplished faculty with experience of training more than 2000 bankers in diverse areas of banking including products, operations and quality.

Previous Experience 

Prior to this position, Dr Sowmya Vivek served as the Head of institutional research at Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies, UAE. Before her foray into higher education Dr Sowmya worked in the banking sector for 8 years in senior management positions primarily in the areas of quality management and operations. She was the head of Quality for ICICI Bank which is the second largest private sector bank in India and also worked as Quality Senior Manager in Gulf Bank, Kuwait.

Education

Dr Sowmya Vivek holds Phd in Management from University of Liverpool, UK. She is also currently pursuing DBA in Quality Management, SP Jain Global School of Management, Australia. A certified lean six sigma black belt she has experience of leading more than 20 six sigma projects in the domain of banking and education. She also has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics from the University of Delhi, India.

Ayman Chaari

Ayman Chaari is a highly accomplished professional currently serving as the Vice-President of Administrative Affairs and Public Relations at EM Normandie in Dubai. With a rich academic background and extensive experience, Ayman is well-equipped to lead administrative functions and services.  

Key Skills & Expertise 

Mr Chaari’s key skills include his proven track record as a team leader, project and budget management expertise, and a strong understanding of fundamental business principles. He possesses exceptional analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to set overall strategy and drive process improvement.  

In his current role at EM Normandie in the UAE, he oversees various responsibilities, including financial management, HR management, vendor and technology management, and marketing. His financial acumen is evident in his ability to create and implement financial policies and procedures, provide financial analysis and long-term planning, and ensure proper budgetary controls. He is pivotal in fostering partnerships, ensuring smooth project implementation, and managing administrative functions. 

Previous Experience 

Prior to his current position, Mr Chaari served as a Business Development Manager at Mohammad Al Qubaisi Enterprises L.LC in the UAE. In this role, he excelled in market prospection and development, partnership development, bid preparation and negotiation, project implementation, and project management. 

Education 

Ayman Chaari holds a Master’s degree in Accounting, Management, and Finance from HEC University of Lausanne in Switzerland. He also has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Higher Business School in Tunisia. 

His well-rounded education and extensive experience make him a valuable asset in administration, finance, and business development.

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