Basem has over two decades of extensive leadership experience in the education and investment sectors across the GCC and North America. His primary passion is education, whereby he has driven PE/VC investments and executed operational growth strategies. Basem has advised over 600M AED of M&A investments for a diverse range of organisations as well as orchestrated various improvement and development plans with his extensive network of over 250 school owners and high-net-worth individuals. Currently, Basem is involved in the EdTech sector after seeing 300 startups and launching the First EdTech focused Venture Collective in the region. His passion for creating value and transforming education inspired the launch of several new ventures, including The Learning Curve Holdings, ReimaginED Collective, Aster Club Global Partners and LBS Catalysers. He has recently been an active Mentor, Judge and speaker at international conferences and forums with a Venture Capital investment drive.
Prof. Dr. Ugur Guven is an Aerospace Engineer (PhD, BS) and a Nuclear Engineer (MSc). He is currently a senior professor of Aerospace Engineering and he is serving as an Advisory Council member to the UN’s Center for Space Science and Space Technology Education in Asia-Pacific. Dr. Guven is also a member of the Academic Council on UN Systems and Member of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). He is also a member of NASA.
Prof. Rana Dajani is a molecular biologist and tenured professor of biology and biotechnology at Hashemite University. She is the president of the Society for Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World (SASTA). Prof. Dajani is a Fulbright scholar alumna, having received two awards. She is also a former Yale University visiting professor and a visiting scholar at both the University of Cambridge and the Stem Cell Therapy Center in Jordan. She sits on the United Nations Women Jordan Advisory Council and is the recipient of Jordan’s Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class.
Tareq Hawasli is co-founder of Darin Partners, an independent investment advisory and asset management company based in London. Tareq served on the board of directors for Sheffield United F.C. when the team was promoted to the Premier League. He is a real estate, sports and technology investor. He attended the University of Georgia, INSEAD, London Business School, and Harvard Business School. He is a fellow of the Laboratory for Innovative Science at Harvard University.
Murray is a circuit judge. He hears serious criminal cases in the East End of London at Snaresbrook Crown Court and employment and freedom of information cases in Tribunals. Until his appointment in 2009 he was a commercial and employment law barrister and he sat as a judge in the West Indies between 2000 and 2005. Murray has been involved with Prospero World for eight years. Formerly he was a trustee of Crisis, the single homeless charity, for six years and a volunteer and trustee for the Fulham Legal Advice Centre for 20 years. Apart from his time in the West Indies he has lived all his life in London.
Paul Bartram has been in Investment Banking for twenty four years, focusing on helping clients strategise on next steps within their businesses and maximise their company potential. Prior to his current role he worked in the bond markets for nineteen years at JPMorgan, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Goldman Sachs, in both London and New York. In his charitable endeavours Paul has worked closely with the charity Ickle Pickles for premature babies, and is currently on the board and Treasurer of the Elfrida Society for the Learning Disabled.Paul holds a BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.
Dr. Simon Foster is a Solar-terrestrial physicist and lecturer based at Imperial College London.His area of specialism is Total Solar Irradiance. In addition, Dr. Foster is also active in the public engagement activities of Imperial College London and is a frequent contributor in the media in the areas of space science and physics.
Founder and CEO
Alevtina is an avid supporter of social impact initiatives with a focus on education and youth empowerment. She is the founder of Phoenix Space. Alevtina is also a film producer and founder of Open Citadel Media. Alevtina has previously worked in the finance industry for over a decade, starting her banking career at Citigroup. Alevtina is a graduate of Oxford University with BA in Modern History and Economics.
Strategic Development
Berenika has extensive experience in developing and managing small- and large-scale projects and organisational structures. She has a long track record of rapidly scaling projects to improve the lives of the most vulnerable globally. She holds an MA in Cultural Studies from the University of Wroclaw, Poland. An explorer, adventurer, organiser, visionary and a connector.
Head of Curriculum Development
Alex leads the development of PS’ educational offerings. He has travelled the world and taught science and maths, developing educational contents in electronics, maths and physics, and astrophotography. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Astrophysics from University College London, where he studied space science.
Head of Partnerships & Business Development
Mike is originally from London and has worked in several global locations before settling in Dubai in 2014. Passionate about delivering positive change, he is a management consultant who today works with both established and emerging technology brands. Specializing in growth and marketing strategies his previous experiences with brands like Microsoft, Boston Consulting, and British Telecom have equipped him with a wide range of skills.
Head of Impact
Sarah is professionally focused on impact strategy and measurement and evaluation (M&E) process within the social sector. Sarah became a CPA in 2008 and worked for PwC and The Carlyle Group for more than a decade. She holds a BSM in Finance and BPA in Professional Accountancy from Tulane University and she’s currently pursuing a Masters of Evaluation with the University of Melbourne.
General Manager
Safa is a fellow of TechWomen, an initiative of the Department of State of the US focused on STEM for social entrepreneurship through SDs. A fellow of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Safa was also the regional manager of the MENA region of Level Up Village in New York, which fosters collaborative STEM education projects between students around the world.
Empower Partnerships
Kamil Mousselli is a seasoned professional with over 8 years of experience in program and project management, dedicated to youth empowerment and community development. With extensive expertise in this field, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to leveraging technology and collaboration for social impact. Armed with dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Engineering Management, he has honed his skills as a versatile program manager across various INGOs and NGOs. This background equips him to drive meaningful, sustainable change in diverse settings, implementing initiatives in various regions to empower youth and foster community development.
Education Lead
Innovative and accomplished STEM leader with a deep history in teaching, tutorials and supporting both Lecturers and academics to inspire the next generation into STEM-led learning. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Nanobiotechnology in Italy, brings 15+ years of existing experience delivering, upgrading, and creating STEM curriculums, with support to laboratories and experimental research projects. Passionate about pushing STEM learning, development, and academic research from the development of curriculums and STEM programes through to delivering tutorials.
Head of Partnerships
Yumi originally built a career developing client relationships and building partnerships in the tech industry, but has now transitioned full-time to partnership working in the charity sector. Passionate about using technology for social impact, she is on a mission to make a positive difference in people’s lives, communities, and the planet. She holds a BA in English and French from The University of Nottingham.
Head of Social Media, Project Manager
Katelyn is passionate about sustainable humanitarian efforts. She previously interned with the Chaffinch Trust while studying International Development and Politics and later pursued a BA Honours in Social Sciences degree in Edinburgh.
PHOENIX SPACE CIO is a registered charity in England and Wales, Charity Number: 1206724.
