Meet Our Leadership Team
Advisory Board
Dr Randall S Perry - Chairman
Dr. Randall Perry holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and is an acclaimed figure in earth sciences and education. He founded ProEd to provide immersive career exploration in STEM fields and chairs the SSEF charity, which promotes student engagement in space and environmental challenges across the UK, EU, Middle East, and Africa. Dr. Perry also directs the Global Space Design Challenge and has held research fellowships at Oxford and Imperial College London. His adventurous spirit is reflected in his love for trekking, scuba diving, and piloting aircraft.
Dr Ruth Ottman - Advisor
Dr. Ruth Ottman, a distinguished genetic epidemiologist, has been a senior figure at Columbia University since 1981, where she serves as Professor of Epidemiology (in Neurology and the Sergievsky Center) and Deputy Director for Research at the Sergievsky Center. She also lends her expertise as a Research Scientist in the Division of Translational Epidemiology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. With a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of California at Berkeley, her work has deeply influenced the understanding of genetic and nongenetic factors in neurological disorders, particularly epilepsies. In 2024, Dr. Ottman joined as a member ProEd’s advisory board.
Yasmin Sarwar - Academic Advisor
Yasmin Sarwar is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the education industry, with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership. She has founded/led two schools which between them have achieved an unbroken record as the #1 ranked schools in the UK A-level league tables for the past 13 years.
Ms Sarwar’s has supported 600 mostly international students to medical schools and more than 500 to world-class institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, Imperial College London, Harvard, Hong Kong University and other top Ivy League schools. She has also served as an Interview Panellist for two top UK Russel Group Medical Schools, and received numerous awards including UK Science Tutor of the Year, Welsh Business Woman of the Year, and Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction
Dr Mario Peters - Advisor
Alison Ahearn - Curriculum Development Advisor
Alison Ahearn, serving as an Advisor of Curriculum Development for ProEd, brings her engineering and legal education expertise in developing STEMM curricula. Her experience includes a role as Principal Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London and the creation of the Constructionarium field course. Ahearn is also the chair of the advisory committee for the SSEF charity and brings her extensive educational and boardroom experience to promote STEMM learning and challenge-based education through various international design competitions.
David Dangoor, CBE - Advisor
David Dangoor, CBE, is a renowned leader in education and business. He has been appointed as the Non-Executive Advisor to the Board at ProEd.
As the honorary president of the Space Science Engineering & Environmental Foundation (SSEF), Dangoor takes great pleasure in supporting ProEd. ProEd’s educational programmes align with SSEF’s charitable initiatives, furthering their shared goals. His philanthropic endeavors and commitment to education have earned him recognition, including the appointment as Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015. With his expertise and dedication, David Dangoor will play a key role in shaping the future of education at ProEd and SSEF.
Marcus du Satouy, OBE. FRS - Advisor
Marcus is the esteemed Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. Previously a Fellow at All Souls and Wadham Colleges, he now upholds a fellowship at New College. Marcus served as the President of the Mathematical Association, an EPSRC Senior Media Fellow, and a Royal Society University Research Fellow. His scholarship concentrates on group theory and number theory. In 2008, he succeeded Richard Dawkins as the Simonyi Professor, making strides in translating complex scientific concepts for broader public understanding.
Executive Team
Rafael Peters - Managing Director
Rafael (Rafi) is the Managing Director at ProEd, with a strong track record in premium education and a focus on facilitating career exploration for students internationally. His former roles include Commercial Director at Oxford International College, where he was part of a team that contributed to student academic success and university placements. Rafi is an advocate for project-based learning as a tool for professional development and serves as Chair of the SSEF charity to promote education in STEM.
Mehrnaz Ghiasi - Director of Administration & Operations
Mehrnaz, Director of Administration & Operations at ProEd, is a seasoned professional with a solid track record in educational programme management. Her journey began as an Academic Manager at a premier UK boarding school, where she contributed to academic oversight and the creation of new initiatives. Integral to the university admissions process, she ensured seamless applications to top institutions. With a hospitality background, Mehrnaz’s operational and customer service acumen enriches ProEd’s educational delivery. She oversees daily operations, ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped for success and upholds ProEd’s commitment to educational excellence.
