Directors - Kipinä Corporate Profile

kieran galvin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kieran Galvin CMgr FCMI, FCIM, MIoD, FRSA is the originator of the Kipinä concept and brand and has more than 25 years of business experience across the UK, Australia, and the Middle East. His entrepreneurial leadership has been instrumental in Kipinä’s global expansion through franchise partnerships and joint ventures.

Designated a Chartered Manager (the highest management qualification in the UK), Kieran’s credentials also include Fellowships in prestigious organisations such as the Chartered Management Institute, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Royal Society of Arts, and membership of the Institute of Directors (MIoD), reflecting his dedication to innovation and community impact.

jeannine laubner

President of global education

Jeannine Laubner MAT is a fourth-generation educator with over 20 years of experience, Jeannine Laubner holds a Master’s degree in Teaching and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In addition she holds  Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development certification.

As President of Global Education at Kipinä, Jeannine has been instrumental in developing and refining the Kipinä Enhanced Finland Curriculum, ensuring its adaptability across 15 countries and eight languages. She has led the creation of innovative teaching tools and professional development programs, empowering over 500 teachers worldwide.

Jeannine’s deep understanding of pedagogy and psychology underpins her commitment to fostering high-quality early education and supporting Kipinä’s mission to set new standards in global preschool learning

She is the author of “Millennials Guide To Early Childhood Education.”

ali irfan

finance director

Ali Irfan MBA is credited with setting up the first Kipinä school in the UAE and establishing and operating a successful proof of concept. With an MBA from Yale and an undergraduate degree from Wharton, Ali has 20 years of experience in senior management positions for globally renowned Telecommunications-Media-Technology firms. He has previously worked as a strategy consultant in the US market focusing on the operational enhancement of fortune 500 companies.

Managers

Hind Bouzekri

Morocco

Hind brings the perfect blend of experience as an educator and understanding as a mum.  A university professor, she holds a Master's degree in pedagogy from UQAM University in Montréal, Canada, as well as certification in Finnish Pedagogy from Häme University in Finland

Farah Isa

United Arab Emiratess

Farah holds a Bachelors in Business Management and has been working in the Early Education field since 2006. She has managed different sized settings in  Abu Dhabi. She has completed multiple courses in; Managing Early Years Facilities; Occupational Health and Safety; Pediatric First Aid; Child Protection and Safeguarding.

Gulshan Mammadova

Azerbaijan

Gulshan holds a Master's degree in Pedagogical Sciences. She has been working in the field of education for 25 years. 






Imane Bouchara

Morocco

Imane holds post graduate certification in Finnish Pedagogy from Häme University in Finland in addition to qualifications in Financial Accounting and Business Administration from Concordia and UQAM universities respectively.



Delia Ionele

Romania

A passionate educator, Delia holds a Masters degree in Educational Management & Services and a Bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and Educational Sciences.




Arianne Zgela

Bahrain

Arianne obtained her early
childhood education certification in Canada in 2011.  She has been working with Kipina Kids Bahrain since 2019, first as a lead before being promoted to General Manager  in 2020.  




Alina Syerik

Egypt

Alina is delighted to share her 18 years of experience in the Middle East as a professional Early Years Educator and UK Qualified Nursery Manager.





Nicoleta Stancu

Romania

A passionate education specialist, Nicoleta has been working in the education field for 26 years. She has a Bachelor's degree in Management and a Bachelor's degree in Educational Sciences - the pedagogy of primary and preschool education.