Creators and Guests

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Wishing Tree Early Learning Group

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Wishing Tree Early Learning Group

Aisling is a Paediatric Dietitian, with over 12 years of experience working in some of the world's leading children's hospitals. She is passionate about helping families navigate challenging feeding issues, and has supported hundreds of families throughout the UAE on their child's journey with food. As a mum to two young kids, Aisling is very familiar with the challenges that each mealtime can pose. She brings practical advice, support and tips to parents, helping them to turn mealtimes into occasions of joy and connection.

Amadu Jorge is a seasoned professor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a 3rd dan black belt under the guidance of Mamute Ferreira. He owns and leads Nest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Abu Dhabi, where he is dedicated to teaching and cultivating talent within the BJJ community. Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Amadu began his journey in Jiu-Jitsu at 14 years of age. Throughout his career, Amadu has traveled extensively, sharing his expertise through seminars in places such as the Seychelles and Sweden. A formidable competitor, he has claimed numerous IBJJF medals, including two recent golds at the Asian Open IBJJF World Championships. As a coach, Amadu has guided multiple champions, including 7 World Pro Champions, 6 Asian Open IBJJF Champions, and 3 European IBJJF Champions.Known for his passionate approach to teaching, Amadu describes himself as “living the dream” by imparting his knowledge and love for Jiu-Jitsu to practitioners worldwide.

Dr. Claudine Habak is a cognitive neuroscientist (Ph.D. Neuropsychology & Cognitive Science), working on perception, cognition, and wellbeing across the developmental lifespan (Child to Aging). She focuses on how context and experience interact with emotional-cognitive function to facilitate learning, creativity, and wellbeing, along with the role of empathy in student and educator relationships and wellness. She is Associate Professor of Counseling, Special Education, and Neuroscience at ECAE, where she co-founded the program in Educational Neuroscience and the Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit. She also works with educational organizations, such as the UNESCO regional center for educational planning (RCEP) and Educators without Borders.

Dr Nitin Verma finished his medical graduate training in India then moved to the North East of England where he completed his Paediatric Specialty Training. He later obtained his Allergy degree from Southampton University (UK) and has been a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) since 2005.​ ​ Prior to joining King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, UAE, he worked as a Consultant Paediatrician at Darlington Memorial Hospital, UK. He ran an efficient General Paediatric, Paediatric Respiratory and Allergy service in the hospital for which he received a Clinical Excellence Award in 2016. In addition, he served as RCPCH College tutor and lead for Simulation based training for Paediatrics.

Dr Rajeev Tomar is a senior consultant of Pediatric and Clinical director of Women and children institute at Kings college hospital Dubai. He is also the director of pediatric liver transplant program at Kings college Dubai. He trained at two of the world premiere institutes – Great Ormond Street hospital for children and Kings college hospital in London. His area of special interest is pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology.

PhD in Early Childhood Education and Director of Early Learning at the Australian International School Dubai

Joanna King is the Founder of Strategy Kings and is passionate about facilitating the launch and growth of businesses in the UAE across multiple sectors, using the extensive experience she gained working in Australia and the Middle East. Joanna is the Chairperson of the Australian Business Group in Abu Dhabi and is an active member of Business Network International, a global business networking group, as Director Consultant for North Dubai.

Karen McCord, Executive Principal of the Australian International School Dubai, commenced her role in May 2021. Karen is an Education Queensland Principal whose previous school, Bundaberg State High School (2014-2021) was the recipient of several Education Showcase Awards during her time there, including 2018 State Winner- Innovation Award for International Students Experience, and the Multicultural Award. During her more than 20 years in leadership positions, Karen has led several schools across two regions of Queensland, Australia. Between 2016 - 2021 Karen worked as a Regional Representative for various areas in Education Queensland, including Wellbeing and Safety, in addition to New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. She was also Inaugural Independent Chair for Bundaberg Headspace, Australia's national leader in mental health and medical support for young people between 2017- 2019. Commencing 2015 Karen was also nominated as Lead Principal as the Bundaberg Regional Youth Hub, consisting of leading business and school leaders across the region. An initiative that was recognised by the State through two State Education awards for its work with connecting communities and ensuring seamless transitions for youth into work and study. Karen's leadership experience and commitment to P-12 schools, large and complex in relation to curriculum, pedagogy, learning, and pastoral care is further evidenced by her invitation to join in 2015, the North Coast Region - Early School Leavers Group, and then in 2016, requested to be the Educational Representative for the University of Queensland-Rural Medical School.

Maree Knock has an undergraduate degree in Human Movement with a specialism in Health Promotion from Deacon University, Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Education P-12 from La Trobe University, Australia. Maree combines her life-long love of the outdoors, gardening and a particular passion for kitchen gardening, with her background in education where she worked in Australia for almost 15 years. Various roles have seen her work to promote edible gardening in educational settings in the UAE, volunteering and working with community groups and delivering workshops on composting and a variety of gardening topics to adults and children. She loves to promote the benefits of gardening on health and wellbeing and has experienced how incredible it is to introduce edible gardens in early learning settings.

Natalie is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with over 25 years of experience in Early Years Education. She is also a Certified Circle of Security® Parent Educator and COSP Classroom Tier 1 Facilitator. With Post Graduate qualifications in Pre and Postnatal Family Care and Support, Natalie has been supporting families with sleep and settling for more than 15 years. Her passion lies in helping new families navigate the precious early days and beyond with their children by offering a better understanding of children's needs, cues, and capabilities. Natalie collaborates closely with Early Years Educators to provide workable strategies for creating an emotional and physically safe sleep space in their Early Years Services.

Co-Founder of the Institute of Child Psychology, Leduc, Canada. She was born in South Africa, where she received an Honours degree in psychology. Tania earned her Master’ s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle. She and her husband were foster parents to four First Nations children for five years and have two biological children of their own. Tania works primarily from the perspective of attachment theory, which focuses on bonds between parents and children. Her gift, both in the therapy room and when writing, is to translate the latest research into concrete strategies that parents can implement in everyday life with their children.

Tara worked in Sales and Marketing roles in Australia for many years before moving to the UAE for her husbands work in 2018. Tara is currently a stay at home Mum to two beautiful girls and plans to return to work when an opportunity arises that peaks her interest!

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Teresa Novak earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a minor in Theatre from Elmhurst University before moving to the UAE, first to Dubai in 2017, then relocating to Abu Dhabi in 2021. As a Music Teacher, Teresa has directed, music-directed, and choreographed school shows enjoyed by students and their local communities alike, both in the USA and UAE. Teresa’s specialty as a music educator is with Early Years students ages 4-8 in the General Music classroom, having received post-graduate training from the American Orff-Schulwerk Association with the Orff Level 1 course, as well as training from The Feierabend Association for Music Education including Conversational Solfege with Dr. Missy Strong, and First Steps in Music with Dr. John Feierabend himself. Teresa has also worked as a voice teacher for students ages 5-55, with a focus on vocal health while performing. Although her background is in Music Education, Teresa also has an extensive background performing onstage and behind-the-scenes work in numerous shows in her spare time.

Zahra is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a registered Midwife with master's degree in business administration (Health Administration) from Canada. She currently works at Kings College Hospital London, Dubai. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in labour rooms, antenatal, and postnatal care. Since 2003, she has been helping mothers and babies. Zahra writes articles on breastfeeding and parenting and speaks on breastfeeding topics to both parents and professionals. She also lectures at national and international conferences. Zahra is passionate about making hospitals Baby-friendly.