Founding Team

Dave led the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) as Principal and Head of School between 2002 and 2014 spearheading the authorization process of the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and DP.  Within six years of obtaining DP status, CDNIS students achieved results in the top 10% of IB schools worldwide and CDNIS was named the top international school in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years. Dave has also led multiple school capital and building projects, the most recent being with the Fairchild Group of Canada as their Head of Education to design, co-found and establish two schools in Hong Kong.

Dave’s authenticity as a leader in education is a recognised force in motivating students, parents, staff and management to continually advance the status quo, ensuring the very best in education provision and learning.  He has a proven track record in leading and operating schools and delivering programs tailored to the individual environment and its students’ needs. With a lifelong passion for education, Dave believes strongly that building a school culture based on mutual respect, happiness and setting high, but realistic expectations will ensure a successful and fruitful education for students. Dave has always stressed the importance of what he calls the ‘smile index’ as a barometer in determining the success of a school. Dave has extensive experience at recruiting, hiring and retaining top international educators and feels this is the key to success in building a new school and providing the opportunity for all students to reach and exceed their potential.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dave has been a Teacher, Vice Principal, Principal and Head of School at various public and private schools, ranging in size from 120 to 2,000 students in Canada and Hong Kong. He has led world class schools delivering IB, AP and Canadian Curriculum (BC and Ontario), as well as early childhood centres utilizing Canadian, American and British curricula with a Reggio Emilia inspired approach to learning.  Dave has also served as Governor and Treasurer of the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS). He was a contributing writer and member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Munk School of Global Affairs Task Force on Asian Competencies and is currently a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain. In 2018 Dave was selected as one of Queen’s Universities top 50 influential Alumni in 50 years of the faculty of Education. This award recognized the leadership and accomplishments of Queen’s University Faculty of Education Alumni across the globe. 

Dave received his Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, Bachelor of Arts in Geography and his Bachelor of Education at Queens university in Kingston, Ontario and his Master of Arts in Education Leadership at San Diego State University.

Dave’s wife Shelley is a teacher and has also taught in schools in Canada and Hong Kong. Shelley and Dave have two sons, Mitchell and Callahan who spent much of their childhood growing up in Hong Kong and are currently living in British Columbia.

Sawsan Shaker is a business professional with over 10 years of diverse experience in different industries, including significant roles in executive support. Sawsan is one of the founding members of the American School of Bahrain (ASB), working closely with the founding director. She played a pivotal role in establishing the school's core operational and foundational structure. As the Executive Manager of the Director’s Office, Sawsan works on both short-term and long-term strategic initiatives, enjoying collaborative work with the Senior Team and the Business and Operations Staff. Sawsan holds a bachelor’s degree in business and is formally recognized as a Chartered Marketer by the Chartered Institution of Marketing (CIM). Her dedication to continuous learning is further demonstrated by her MBA from the American
University of Bahrain. Her thesis research focused on cross-cultural management
and communication. This academic specialization fuels her passion for the critical
role of intercultural communication in today's global landscape. Sawsan is a certified Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Facilitator. This certification solidifies her specialized knowledge, enabling her to act as a passionate advocate for the
pivotal role of intercultural communication in fostering effective global teams and
strategic partnerships. She actively applies this expertise by delivering tailored CQ
sessions to various stakeholders within the ASB community, including staff, parents, and students, enhancing the school's commitment to fostering a culturally intelligent and globally aware environment. When not at school, Sawsan loves to swim and go for power walks and is very interested in foreign language TV shows and movies.

Originally from India, Randish is a CFM-certified Facilities Manager with extensive experience leading large-scale projects from inception to completion. He is skilled in managing diverse teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing efficient systems to optimize operations while maintaining the highest safety standards. Since 2006, he has been part of ESOL Education in Dubai, where he built a strong foundation in managing facilities within educational environments. In 2020, he moved to Bahrain and joined the ASB founding team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the school’s operational framework and driving its commitment to excellence from the ground up. With a career grounded in educational facilities management, he brings proven expertise in resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance.

Asma Alzekri is a Human Capital professional with extensive experience in developing HR functions and supporting organizational growth. She is currently the Human Resources Manager at Mazad, where she helped establish the HR department and continues to oversee areas such as performance management, recruitment, training, and employee engagement.

Asma has worked across education, non-profit, and corporate sectors, with a focus on building practical frameworks that enhance both compliance and employee experience. Her approach blends structure with innovation, drawing on data and modern HR practices to create sustainable impact.
In addition to her professional role, Asma serves as a Board Member at Bahrain Polytechnic University, contributing as a Board Advisory for the Human Capital degree program. This role allows her to support the development of future HR professionals by bridging academic learning with real-world practice.

She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources Management alongside professional qualifications in people management, training, and talent development.

Amal Darwish is a marketing and business development professional with nearly a decade of experience in growth strategy, market expansion, and partnerships. As a founding member of the American School of Bahrain, she played a pivotal role in building the institution’s brand and executing its go-to-market strategy during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

Certified by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing (Merit), Amal specializes in market research, data analysis, client acquisition, and the design of scalable strategies that deliver measurable ROI and long-term value. Her expertise spans digital marketing, customer experience management, AI-driven content optimization, and public relations, enabling her to consistently strengthen brand positioning in competitive markets.

Her career also includes leading marketing, communications, and business development initiatives across the education and industrial sectors, where she successfully launched campaigns, secured sponsorships, enhanced digital presence, and built strong stakeholder relationships. Amal graduated top of her class with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing (Distinction, GPA 3.7/4.0) from Bahrain Polytechnic.