David Pontich,​

Vice President Academic

David Pontich serves as Academic Vice President at GEMS American International School, Riyadh, bringing a wealth of global educational leadership experience. Since 2022, he has held the role of Vice President of Education at EEP, overseeing academic excellence across schools in the Middle East and Africa.

With a career spanning Australia, the UK, Canada, Jordan, and Qatar, David has played a key role in driving school improvement, innovation, and student success. His leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to high-quality teaching and learning across diverse international contexts.​

Hanady Fawzy,​

School Principal

Hanady Fawzy is an experienced and passionate educational leader with a global background in early childhood and elementary education. She has held leadership roles in Egypt, Qatar, Russia, Poland, and Hong Kong, and brings expertise in British, American, and IB curricula.​

Before joining GEMS American International School, Riyadh, Hanady played a key role in founding and expanding GEMS International School Cairo, where she led the Early Years department and guided it through successful accreditation. In 2021, she was named Hong Kong’s Kindergarten Principal of the Year.​

Committed to fostering dynamic and nurturing learning environments, Hanady is dedicated to empowering educators and inspiring students through innovation and excellence.

Message From The Principal

“At GAISR, we ignite curiosity through inquiry-based learning and hands-on innovation from the earliest years. Rooted in cultural respect and global awareness, we empower every child equally. Our mission is to shape confident, skilled future leaders ready to thrive in a changing world.”