Kamran R. Kardan

Founder and CEO

Kamran Robert Kardan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge E. He founded Knowledge E in 2012, with the aim of providing unique, professional and high-quality services to the
information professionals in the Middle Eastern region and beyond.

Kamran has 20 years of experience working in the publishing industry on both the publisher and agency front. Working closely with some of the top consortia, libraries, ministries, hospitals and
corporations within research and education in the region, he has experienced the birth and growth of many digital libraries. Driven by his interest in learning societies, he has initiated and participated in the completion of various special development projects.

Kamran holds a BSc in Engineering, an MSc in Marketing with a thesis on ‘Open Access publishing business models’ as well as an MBA from the University of Manchester with a dissertation on ‘The
application of Business Model Canvas in university research offices’.

Kamran has always had an interest in community development and recently ran the Boston Marathon to raise funds for buildOn, a non-profit organisation that believes the best way to eradicate poverty is to ensure that all people have access to quality education. Kamran also plays a major active role in the Knowledge E Foundation, a community interest corporation focusing on supporting education and research-based projects across the globe, with a focus on developing nations.

Therese Bill

Head of Operations

Therese (Tess) Bill joined Knowledge E in April 2016 as the Office Manager. Prior to that, she worked for close to eight years within the technology and real estate sectors across Europe and the Middle East. Tess was soon promoted to Head of Operations where she oversees the efficiency and productivity of all Knowledge E’s administrative and support operations such as Finance, HR, Legal, IT and Marketing.

In her role, Tess has initiated and implemented several unique initiatives at the company involving the wellbeing and the development of the team and continues to play an instrumental part in the overall growth, stability and success of Knowledge E. She was also a driving part of a big Salesforce customisation project at Knowledge E.

Hailing from Sweden, Tess holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Stockholm School of Business as well as Real Estate Brokerage degree from SLU University. Her areas of expertise and interests include operational efficiency, productivity, complex contracts, organisational culture development, staff engagement, as well as talent acquisition. She is passionate about corporate development, project management and business strategy.

Ahmed Youssef

Regional Head – Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Youssef joined Knowledge E in August 2016 as Business Development Manager and was appointed to Regional Head – Saudi Arabia in January 2022. In his role, he leads the business development activities in Saudi Arabia through a client centric approach by developing the required sales strategies, planning and implementation.

Before joining Knowledge E, Ahmed held multiple regional business development and sales management roles in several industries including pharmaceutical, healthcare consulting and publishing. He has extensive experience in dealing with complex dynamics covering multiple market segments including academia, governments and corporates. Ahmed enjoys working closely with his clients to help them grow, make better decisions and realise their full potential.

Ahmed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Cairo University and an MBA from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport.

When he is not travelling for business, he enjoys living in Cairo, Egypt spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Samantha Miles

Strategic Advisor – Training & Consulting

Samantha Miles joined Knowledge E in November 2016. As the Strategic Advisor – Training & Consulting, she advises Knowledge E’s training and consulting division as well as develops strategies and business opportunities. She also engages in brand building activities and establishes and maintains key stakeholder relationships with international and community partners.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in the higher education sectors of the USA, Australia, and the UAE. She has been responsible for the oversight of more than 300 educational programs including a large scale national projects for human capital development in the areas of research output and impact, teaching excellence in higher education, and university strategic leadership. She possesses 14 years of professional experience ensuring the quality and continual development of programs via strategic planning and ongoing assessment.

Samantha is passionate about experiential education, maximising efficiency, and working with diverse populations. Her research and teaching interests include global dexterity, teaching excellence, leadership development, and community engagement. She lived in Dubai for 6 years during which she traveled and worked with clients throughout the MENA region. She is originally from the USA and holds dual citizenship with New Zealand. She holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

Emily Choynowski

Head of Publishing

Emily joined Knowledge E in March 2020 as Senior Editor for KnE Publishing and was appointed as the Head of Publishing in September 2020. Providing editorial guidance and strategic oversight for the publishing division, she is developing the portfolio of publishing services, cementing new partnerships, and offering bespoke consultations and coaching on journal management.

Emily has eight years’ experience in the commercial publishing sector, working first as Editorial Manager and later as Head of Product and Marketing for two world-class macroeconomic research publishers, managing large publishing teams based across the globe.

The move to Knowledge E reflects Emily’s enduring interest in academic research. Since gaining a PhD in English Literature from the University of Bristol in 2012, she has maintained strong ties within the academic community, publishing numerous articles and conference papers, and giving lectures at museums and universities around the world. In addition, she sits on the Editorial Boards of a leading literature journal and a university press.

Laurie Hastir

Head of Project Delivery – Training & Consulting

Originally from Belgium, Laurie has been living in Dubai since she joined Knowledge E as Project Manager with the KnE Training & Consulting department in 2020. Following the team’s successful transitioning of all KnE training activities online during the pandemic, Laurie was appointed Senior Project Manager and formed the new Project Delivery team. In January 2022, she was appointed Head of Project Delivery.

Providing guidance and strategic oversight for the Training & Consulting delivery team, Laurie ensures the successful design and delivery of 150+ trainings yearly, consulting with partners and serving clients and learners. In her role, she is also responsible for developing the portfolio of KnE’s training activities, cementing partnerships, and offering bespoke consultations on teaching excellence and capacity building training for the higher education and research sector.

Laurie has nine years of professional experience in project and communications management, and allies both disciplines to design impactful training programmes. Before joining Knowledge E, Laurie contributed to establishing two agencies operating in digital communication and the cultural-educational field. Laurie holds two master’s degrees, one in business communication, and another in applied ethics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Carl Fry

Head of Business Development

Carl joined Knowledge E in May 2021. He currently leads KnE’s business development activities by devising comprehensive strategies to maintain current business relations, pursue new partnerships, and launch fresh initiatives. As part of his role, Carl guides a team of account managers as well as the client excellence team. He also engages in brand-awareness activities and establishes and maintains key stakeholder relationships with international and regional partners.

Before joining Knowledge E, Carl held multiple senior business development and sales management positions across private and public sector organisations, working within education and government markets. His extensive experience across complex, highly matrixed organisations has made him an expert at leading large-scale projects.

Carl holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bath Spa University. He believes in the value of adopting a client-centric approach and always collaborates with stakeholders to ensure they achieve their short and long-term strategic objectives and realise their full potential.

Isaac Tabor

Head of Digital Learning

As the Head of Digital Learning, Isaac provides expertise on best practices and current trends in digital learning and strategic oversight. He is developing a KnE digital learning environment that leverages our existing network of subject matter experts and vast experience in training delivery.

Isaac has ten years of professional experience in digital learning and education development initiatives in the secondary and higher education sectors of the UAE, USA, Cambodia, and various other parts of South-East Asia. He holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Edinburgh and a Master’s degree in Learning Design & Technology from the University of Maryland.

Isaac is passionate about creating high quality learning experiences that inspire individuals and empower communities to utilise and share their knowledge. Hailing from the Netherlands and having spent most of his professional life abroad, he is conscious of the need for cultural and ethical considerations within learning design and sees digital learning technologies as powerful tools for bridging divides and bringing communities together.