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From Banquets to Boardrooms
A Hospitality Life Fueled by Faith, Fire, and the Occasional Mid-Shift Espresso
I started my career as a young, hungry hotelier with a pocket full of ambition and a deeply misguided love for starched uniforms. What began as an infatuation with five-star service across brands such as Ritz Carlton, Hilton, Hyatt, Movenpick and Rotana quickly evolved into something deeper: a calling to create experiences that feel personal, not processed. This compelled me to venture into the burgeoning world of independent restaurants where I took on my first true leadership role creating and opening new concepts at Cafe Italia, It was here where I realized that hospitality isn’t about polished silverware or polite scripts - it’s about soul, instinct, and showing up with intention every single day.
That foundation led me to Diyafa Holdings, where I dove headfirst into the world of franchising. I helped bring international brands into the GCC, managing everything from deal structuring to market launches. It was my bootcamp in commercial strategy and cross-cultural execution - equal parts negotiation and navigation.
Then came the game-changer: a 13-year journey with Shakespeare and Co., where I helped grow the brand from a humble cluster of 8 cafés into a 52-location juggernaut across the UAE, MENA region and the United States. From market entries and store rollouts to brand development and crisis management, I wore every hat - except the frilly ones on the cakes. It was a masterclass in scaling without losing soul.
Most recently, I am currently serving as Director of Operations for Salmontini Hospitality Group, overseeing a portfolio that blended fine dining flair with contemporary bistro charm. I led the charge in repositioning the brand, driving growth, optimizing delivery and dine-in performance, and developing franchise-ready concepts. Whether it was reviving underperforming locations or building new revenue streams from scratch, my role was part strategist, part firefighter, part creative director - and I loved every minute of it.
At a Glance
Education
1998-2000
Les Roches International
School of Hotel Management
The legendary Swiss hospitality school nestled in the Alps - where service wasn’t just taught, it was lived. It’s where I first learned that hospitality isn’t about fancy cutlery or polished shoes - it’s about heart, humility, and hustle. Les Roches didn’t just prepare me for a career; it set the foundation for a calling.
1996-1997
International
School of Kenya
I graduated from the International School of Kenya, a place that shaped not just my education, but my worldview. Growing up as an expat kid in Nairobi, ISK was more than a school - it was a global village where cultures collided, friendships were borderless, and curiosity was currency. It planted the early seeds of adaptability, resilience, and open-mindedness that would carry me through life, love, and later, hospitality.
1993-1996
Bahrain
International
School
I began my high school journey at Bahrain International School, a small but unforgettable chapter in my life. It was my first real taste of independence, identity, and the beautiful chaos of growing up in a melting pot of cultures. BIS wasn’t just where I studied - it’s where I started figuring out who I was, long before I had any idea where I’d end up.
Recent Career
2024-Present
Salmontini Hospitality Group
I'm currently the Director of Operations at Salmontini Hospitality Group, leading the growth and refinement of our restaurant brands across the UAE. It’s a role where I blend passion with purpose - always guided by faith and gratitude for God’s hand in the journey.
2011-2023
Shakespeare and Co.
For over 13 years, I helped grow Shakespeare and Co. from a small local chain into an international brand, expanding from 8 to 52 locations across the MENA region and the U.S. It was a defining chapter - built on vision, perseverance, and by God’s grace, extraordinary growth.
2010-2011
Diyafa Holdings
During my time at this F&B subsidiary of Global Banking Corporation, I was responsible for identifying, acquiring, and launching international F&B franchises across the GCC. It was a formative period where I honed my skills in brand development, market adaptation, and strategic operations
