The City

Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of driving corporate growth. With a career spanning three decades, he is recognised for his strategic insight, innovative approach, and commitment to excellence.

Galadari's leadership journey began at Dubai Municipality, where he played a pivotal role in the city's transformation into a global metropolis. While serving as CEO at Emaar Properties, he oversaw iconic developments such as Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa, solidifying his reputation as a visionary leader. As Managing Director of Emaar International, he successfully expanded the company's footprint to 11 countries across Asia and North Africa, demonstrating strategic insights and operational expertise in large-scale real estate developments.

Extending his leadership expertise into Dubai’s hospitality sector, Galadari acted as Director of ICD Hospitality and Leisure, managing assets such as Atlantis and the One & Only Cape Town.

In addition to his role at DHCA, Galadari is also the Director and CEO of Ithra Dubai LLC, a leading real estate developer, wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). In this position, he continues to shape Dubai's growth through a focus on sustainable development and innovation, aligning with the emirate's long-term vision, where he oversaw the success of the skyline-defining One Za’abeel and the community-building Deira Enrichment Project.

Galadari's achievements have earned him recognition from respected entities, including the UAE Society of Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineering in the United Kingdom. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic of Wales, UK, and a postgraduate degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Southampton.

Allae Almanini, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), is a distinguished professional with more than 28 years of experience across various sectors. His extensive expertise includes strategy development, business transformation, corporate governance and compliance, optimisation and efficiency, organisational development and profitability. In his current role as the COO, he is responsible to drive investments and oversees business development. Since joining DHCA in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Almanini has played a leading role in shaping the organisation’s future direction and mandate to enhance Dubai’s position as a global medical and health centre.

Almanini’s professional journey began in 1996 at Al Muhaidib Group, where he was instrumental in establishing and stabilising the group’s operations in Qatar, and managed significant acquisitions and organisational restructuring in the UAE. As Group Finance Head at RAR Holding, he directed strategic initiatives in the petrochemical sector. In 2014, Almanini took on the role of Executive Finance Director at Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est., leading business evaluation and overseeing international market investments.

Almanini’s academic journey began in accounting, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales in 2012. He also holds aa master’s degree in international business law, achieving the highest distinction “Summa Cum Laude” from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, in 2021.He is currently enrolled in the EMBA programme at Georgetown University.

Ashraf Shaarawy, Chief of Internal Audit at Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), is an audit professional with over three decades of experience. He has held his current position since 2020 with a primary focus on implementing comprehensive audit plans, financial reporting and delivering insightful recommendations for process improvements. Before joining DHCA, he was the Chief of Internal Audit for Dubai World from 2004 to 2020.

Prior to that, Shaarawy gained valuable experience at the Financial Audit Authority (formerly known as H.H. The Ruler’s Court of Dubai / Financial Audit Department) as a Government Auditor in 1997. His early career began in 1987 at the State Accountability Authority in Cairo, Egypt.

Shaarawy has actively contributed to the development of the internal audit community by participating as a speaker and trainer in numerous IIA conferences and seminars. He has also chaired the 2011 IIA Annual Regional Conference in Dubai and conducted workshops on risk-based auditing, corporate governance, and internal auditing essentials for government entities in the UAE and Qatar. Furthermore, he played a key role in translating and reviewing the Sawyer's Guide for Internal Auditors (6th edition) into Arabic.

Shaarawy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Cairo University, a Diploma in Project Analysis & Implementation from the University of Connecticut, and a Diploma in Performance Auditing from Lincoln University. He is a Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Control Auditor (CICA), and holds a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) from the Institute of Internal Auditors. Additionally, he possesses certifications in International Corporate Governance and IA Quality Assurance.

Jaffar Bin Jaffar, Director Property and Sales Operation at Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), brings over 15 years of experience in the dynamic world of Dubai's property management sector. He holds his current position since 2020, where he oversees leasing & sales operations, registration & licensing, customer services, as well as leading a team responsible for maximising occupancy rates, attracting tenants, and delivering exceptional customer service. Jaffar's expertise extends beyond daily operations, as he plays a pivotal role in building partnerships, as well as developing and implementing comprehensive sales and leasing strategies to ensure maximising revenue generation.

Prior to joining DHCA, Jaffar held the position of Senior Manager in Asset Management and Infrastructure Operations at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 2013 to 2020. This experience equipped him with a deep understanding of the leasing cycle, coupled with a strong focus on legal and regulatory compliance. During his tenure, he spearheaded the entire leasing operation, from marketing and tenant screenings to lease negotiations and ensuring smooth tenant transitions.

Jaffar's career journey began at Union Properties, where he served as a Property Manager from 2009 to 2012. Here, he laid the foundation for his future success. He advanced not only his property management skills but also developed a customer-centric approach, ensuring tenant satisfaction and maximizing footfall. This early experience instilled in him the importance of anticipating customer needs and delivering exceptional service.

Jaffar holds a Master's degree in International Business Law from the prestigious University of Paris II, Sorbonne Assas and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Big Data and Business Analytics at ESCP Business School, Dubai.