Quality Of Life Series: Community Well-being Edition

Donald Bremner is the Chief Executive Officer of the Marjan Lifestyle vertical in Marjan, the previous Chief Operating Officer of RAK Hospitality Holding LLC and a Member of the Board of Directors of RAK Investment Authority, where he leads transformative projects shaping the future of Ras Al Khaimah’s hospitality, tourism, and lifestyle sectors. A seasoned C-suite executive with a career spanning more than two decades, he is recognised for his strategic vision, operational excellence, and entrepreneurial drive. He was instrumental in the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the region’s first integrated gaming resort and a catalyst for Ras Al Khaimah’s economic and tourism growth. Before joining RAK Hospitality, he founded and led Stirling Hospitality Advisors as Managing Director, building it into an internationally respected advisory firm before its acquisition by RAK Hospitality. A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, he has enhanced his leadership credentials through executive programs at The Wharton School, including the Global C-Suite Program and courses in Behavioural Economics and Persuasive Leadership. Blending board-level governance with a passion for innovation and lifestyle development, Bremner continues to drive luxury brand expansion, asset transformation, and international growth, positioning Ras Al Khaimah as one of the Middle East’s most dynamic destinations.

Rouba Zeidan is a seasoned communications and reputation strategist with 30+ years of experience shaping narratives and advising leaders across global and MENA markets. She has supported organizations, industries, and government entities in managing and strengthening both institutional and individual reputations. Rouba currently serves as Head of Special Projects at the Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office, where she helped conceptualize, establish, and now oversees the Emirate’s flagship livability and community storytelling platform, the Heart of RAK. The digital content platform has grown into one of the most trusted and active platforms in the Emirate, spotlighting people, culture, wellbeing, and community impact. Her expertise spans strategic communication, media relations, narrative development, content strategy, and crisis and reputation management, with a longstanding track record of helping brands and leaders communicate with clarity, authenticity, and influence. Rouba holds an MBA in Coaching, Mentoring, and Leadership, which deepened her work at the intersection of communication, organizational behavior, and purposeful impact.

Dr. Helen Joannidi has over 30 years of training and experience of working in mental health services, and 20 years of experience in providing psychological assessment and interventions to a wide range of clients over the course of her career. She completed her Clinical Psychology Doctoral training at the University of Wales, Bangor, UK, and spent the majority of her career in the South West of England near Bristol. Latterly in the UK, she was the Lead Psychologist in a Later Life Community Mental Health service in South Gloucestershire. Dr Helen has expertise in mindfulness-based interventions, and working with different psychological therapies such as CBT, CFT, DBT and schema therapy, as well as carrying out neuropsychological assessments. She has specialised in working with Older People and with people with physical and cognitive difficulties and life-limiting conditions, as well as young adults with Emotional Regulation difficulties and Personality Disorders. She has also taught mindfulness to Psychology Doctoral Trainees at the University of Bath, UK, and has published several papers. She is currently employed by Maudsley Health as EHS Head of Psychology for the Northern Emirates. She is based in Ibrahim bin Hamid Obaidallah Hospital, but has also been involved in improving community access to psychology therapies in government Primary Healthcare Clinics in RAK. Part of Dr Helen’s work has also been about raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing within the community, and this has included a number of initiatives over the years, most notably a Mental Health Art Exhibition, held in collaboration with the EHS and the Al Qasimi Foundation, last year in Ras al Khaimah. Part of Dr Helen’s work has been to open up the conversation about mental health in RAK, and work to break down the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. She is part of a team that has a research paper, currently submitted for publication, which compares public attitudes to mental health across the different Emirates. Dr Helen is passionate about helping people to improve their wellbeing, live in accordance with their values, and find ways in which to thrive, using self-compassion and mindfulness.

H.E. Dr. Natasha Ridge is the founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research since 2009. In this role, she guides the Foundation’s strategic direction and operations, advancing inclusive development and educational innovation in Ras Al Khaimah. Dr. Ridge has over 20 years of experience working in the international education sector, including in Singapore and Australia. She holds a Doctorate of Education in International Education Policy from Columbia University, a Master's in International and Community Development from Deakin University Dr. Ridge is the author of two books and over 50 publications on education, gender, and philanthropy. She is the founding editor of the Gulf Education and Social Policy Review and a founding member and past president of the Gulf Comparative Education Society. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge.