Accredited Instructors

Khalil Bheekoo is a design-led transformation advisor who champions heart-centered design
as a catalyst for meaningful change in complex systems. With over two decades at the intersection of strategy, design, and technology, Khalil has supported global enterprises, public sector institutions, and communication service providers across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in redesigning systems,
evolving operating models, and unlocking adaptive digital capabilities.

Laïla is a designer and facilitator exploring new ways of working. After a decade supporting startups and scaleups in shaping organizational culture and remote collaboration, she trained as a Heart of Design facilitator to reimagine work with slowness, sustainability, and spirituality as the foundations of a new generation of businesses.

She now helps purpose-driven professionals reconnect with their values and design meaningful projects that integrate personal and work aspirations. She lives in Lugano, Switzerland.

Riham Ahmed is an Organizational Development consultant, educator, and community builder with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals, teams, and communities through meaningful change. She holds a Master’s in Human Systems Intervention and a BA in Human Relations from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, where she also taught courses in organizational development, systems thinking, and participative change methods.

Nashida Mohamed is a faith-based productivity trainer, writer, and community-builder who helps women live with clarity, purpose, and creativity. She is a partner trainer with the Productive Muslim Company, delivering their unique framework that blends spirituality with practical productivity strategies for modern life. She is also trained in The Heart of Design: Design as a Spiritual Practice by Gould Studio, which enriches her sessions with a creative and contemplative approach to personal growth.

Siddhartha Phillips is a UX design instructor, creative mentor, and multidisciplinary storyteller. Over the past six years, he has taught and graduated hundreds of UX students across the Middle East, helping them build real-world projects with clarity, purpose, and creativity.

He believes imagination is the starting point for meaningful change—if we can’t picture a better future, how can we build it? His mission is to nurture that imaginative capacity in others, using design, storytelling, and education as tools for service. He sees creativity as an amanah (trust from Allah), and approaches it with sincerity, curiosity, and care.

Yahya Van Rooy is an international educator, consultant, and Muslim Scout leader. With experience spanning seven countries, he holds a M.Ed in International Education with a focus on curriculum development. Yahya is a two-time recipient of international fellowships for service in education.

His expertise lies in designing purposeful learning experiences with a focus on project-based learning, reading engagement and motivation, school wide enrichment programs, and Islamic Pedagogy.

Some of Yahya’s global projects include the Iqra! Reading Initiative and Ramadan Connect, a global student e-Exchange. Additionally, he had the honor to work closely with Peter Gould in developing the Heart of Design UbD Curriculum for schools (learn more here).

Yahya currently resides in Dubai, UAE with his family.

Coniqua is a facilitator and learning strategist with a decade of experience designing and leading training programs, workshops, and retreats. She holds a Master’s degree in Instructional Design for Online Learning and brings expertise in adult learning, performance consulting, and digital adoption to her work.

Ibrahim is dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organizations work and thrive from the inside out. He guides people in cultivating human and heart centric skills across one’s mental, emotional and heart faculties, and from there, innovate and solve problems in the real world. The result is work of high excellence and impact while also being aligned with meaning and contributing to harmony.

As a certified Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership instructor, Ibrahim has trained thousands of professionals across organizations, varying from Google, Sony and the United Nations to the African Development Bank and the ministries of the UAE.