About the School Consultative Group
The Dwight School Dubai Consultative Group (SCG), is a collaborative advisory group of parent and staff representatives who will provide guidance in the strategic development of Dwight School Dubai, utilizing the professional skills and knowledge of parents and staff who bring management and leadership experience, prior independent or international school governance experience, and parental perspective. The School Consultative Group (SCG) is made up of individuals who serve by invitation of the School’s Leadership.
School Consultative Group Members
Dr. Swetal Sindhvad
Dr. Swetal Sindhvad is Senior Social Sector Consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) working on sovereign lending projects in education for governments in South and East Asia. She is also Adjunct Professor teaching public sector leadership and management at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai.
Previously, Dr. Sindhvad was Senior Manager of Partnerships and Research for the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Government of Dubai, supporting private education quality improvement initiatives.
Dr. Sindhvad holds a PhD in Comparative & International Development Education from the University of Minnesota, MSEd in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, and EdM in Instructional Technology from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Cristiana Benga
Cristiana Benga is a graduate of La Sapienza University of Rome with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Sociology. After 17 years working in an Oil Company, Cristiana partnered with a friend to start a successful small business selling swimwear one year ago. In her spare time, Cristiana enjoys reading, cooking, fitness, travels and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Cristiana’s two children joined Dwight School Dubai in 2018 as a founding family, as a family they have had the opportunity to see the school and community growing, achieving success, and going through tough times. Cristiana has always been supportive of the school, as she believes in Dwight, in their vision, their mission, projects and values.
Cristiana is excited to work together with the other members of the SCG, to support Dwight School Dubai with her know how, creativity and enthusiasm.
Asia Minervini
Asia Minervini is the Head of Admissions at Dwight School Dubai, Asia joined Dwight in June 2019, after leaving for 15 months, Asia was excited to rejoin the Dwight Dubai Admissions Team in May 2022.
Asia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Texas Tech University, USA, where she competed as an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division 1 Track and Field athlete. Asia has over 10 years of customer service experience in the Retail and Education management sectors.
Asia’s experience includes opening and operating a flagship store in the UK for a leading, global, specialty retail brand, overseeing the admissions departments of ten UAE based schools and nurseries for one of the largest education groups in The Middle East, and supporting the start-up of one of the first progressive American schools in the UAE.
Abdulkader Lamaa
Abdulkader Lamaa is a partner with McKinsey and company with 15 years experience in management consulting. He has a proven track record of partnering with game-changing leaders across the public and private sectors to unlock exponential value. His work spans strategy, customer experience, business transformation, venture building, and digital capability building.
Abdulkader has a passion for game-changing digital experiences and business transformations. He leads McKinsey Digital Labs across Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
Abdulkader has an MBA from INSEAD, and a bachelor's in computer engineering from The American University of Beirut.
John J. Papesh
Mr. Papesh is a global financier and senior executive. He has over 25 years of global experience in investment management and investment banking and is Chairman &CEO of his own advisory firm. He is an expert strategic business developer and passionate relationship builder with a large global network of institutional and private clients.
Over his career, Mr. Papesh has held 69 directorships and participated in more than $125 billion of investments. He is a speaker at international investor forums and has been interviewed and quoted by international financial media. He also was the politically appointed Cayman Islands representative to the Middle East and a senior representative of the Dart Foundation.
Mr. Papesh has lived in five countries and traveled to more than 100. He received his Bachelors and Masters from leading universities in the United States. He also completed additional advanced studies in the United Kingdom. A Founding Family of Dwight School Dubai, Mr. Papesh has lived in Dubai for nearly 15 years.
Aditya Berlia
Aditya Berlia is the Co-Promoter of the Apeejay Stya & Svran Group. He is a young entrepreneur who balances his role in the corporate world with his philanthropic dedication to education.
A graduate of Stanford University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School, he has to his credit several innovative industrial and educational initiatives, including key operational roles in strategic projects of the Apeejay Stya Group.
Mr. Berlia has set up several companies and start-ups. He founded the Svran Open Design Foundation to promote Design Think across the world with a focus on developing nations. He is also the Founder of the Svran-Apeejay Journalism Foundation which supports quality Journalism.
As the Co-Founder & Pro-Chancellor of the Apeejay Stya University, and Founder of the Apeejay Stya Education Research Foundation, Mr Berlia is dedicated towards making a difference in society.
Mr. Berlia has been bestowed with numerous awards, some of which include 'Leading Educationist of the Year 2022’ by Asian- African Chamber of Commerce & Industry, ‘Young Global Edupreneur of the year’ by Federation of World Academics in 2021, Zeenews.com | India.com Editor’s Choice award for Educationist for the year 2021, ‘Education Visionary of the Year 2020’ by ASSOCHAM, ‘Visionary Leader of the Year Award 2019’ by the Centre for Education Growth & Research, and many more.
Omar Al Barghouthi
Omar Al Barghouthi is a Cybersecurity Industry Executive with 20 years of experience in the Technology Industry. He currently heads Dragos Inc. Middle East business as a Regional Director. Driven by his passion for winning, he takes pride in building high performing teams in a fun work culture. Omar holds a B.Sc in Computer Science from the American University of Sharjah.
Outside the technology industry, Al Barghouthi enjoys an active lifestyle across various sports and activities. He is a PADI Master Scuba Diving Instructor Trainer who also enjoys Golf, Reading, and Paddel Tennis. Fun fact: Omar is also a certified bodywork therapist.