Executive Director, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research
Dr. Natasha Ridge is the founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, a role she has held since 2009. She leads the Foundation’s strategy and operations, positioning it as a catalyst for research-based policymaking, inclusive development, and educational innovation in Ras Al Khaimah.
She has championed initiatives that support underserved communities, including Ertiqaa, a rehabilitation programme for inmates, and a long-running initiative for at-risk boys focused on language and life skills. She also expanded the Foundation’s role in culture and heritage through the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival and the revitalization of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.
With over 20 years of experience in international education, Dr. Ridge holds a Doctorate in International Education Policy from Columbia University and has authored two books and over 50 publications. She is the founding editor of the Gulf Education and Social Policy Review and a founding member of the Gulf Comparative Education Society.