Chief Executive Officer, The First Group
Rob is the champion of The First Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility program,
Enriching Young lives, which has enriched the lives of underprivileged children around
the world, supporting health and educational initiatives that leave a legacy.
The First Group has the privilege of partnering with Dubai Cares in support of
their Early Childhood Development Program, which supports learning, school readiness,
physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, and which is the motivation
for the third edition of The First Group 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge. Rob has a long
history of participating in events in aid of charitable organizations including expeditions to the North and South Poles.
Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Development
Jonathan Emery is the Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Development and is responsible for all development activities across the company.
Throughout his 30+ years in the global real estate industry, Jonathan has held senior positions at leading developers including UK Managing Director at Hammerson, Managing Director of Development and Communities at Majid Al Futtaim and Lendlease, where he was both CEO Global Residential and MD of Property for Europe.
Jonathan is a passionate cyclist.
Entrepreneur, Board Member, Houlihan Lokey
Abdul Wahab is a keen athlete having competed in numerous Ironman 70.3 races. He is passionate about sports
and is keen on competing for good causes.
When Abdul wahab heard about the challenge for the Rashid Centre he was keen to ride for a notable cause and
to support the UAE's initiative to support
and equip people of determination to participate in society.
Original from Asturias in the North of Spain and currently based in Dubai, Alberto Canteli is the chief executive for Havas Group in the Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the Common Wealth of Independent States, Turkey, the Middle East, as well as South East of Asia, Korea & Japan. Alberto joined the group in 2000 and has been a key pillar on the International Expansion of Havas Media Group. Alberto’s passions are cooking, wine and sports in general - mainly cycling and football, with his beloved Real Madrid at the core of his heart.
Sport in Life & GRIT+TONIC.com – CEO & FOUNDER
Nicolas loves his sport, so much so that 25 years ago he thought he’d make a career out of it. Equestrian
enthusiast (he was once an amateur jockey), Nicolas swapped riding horses for riding bikes in 2018 when
Sport In Life became the official distributor for BMC across the Middle East. His toughest challenge to
date- cycling from Switzerland to Paris for the finale of the Tour de France with BMC, 551km and 5,280m of
climbing in 4 stages! Nicolas not only enjoys riding his bikes with his friends, he’s slowly transitioning
into triathlon and will soon be doing his first Ironman 70.3 in Muscat.
Partner, Deloitte
Collin is a self-proclaimed avidly mediocre cyclist, and husband to Yoko (also participating in the 7
Emirates Cycle Challenge). Collin grew up on a mountain bike in New England, but only took to skinny tires
back in 2009. What he lacks in endurance and speed, he makes up in height. Father of two burgeoning athletes
and a 1988 De Rosa Nuovo Classico Diamante, he spends most of his non-cycling and working time driving from
point A to B, occasionally visiting C.
Collin has done some longer rides, like the Coast -to-Coast and Flag-to-Flag and that brutal old Abu Dhabi
International Triathlon back when the “short course” featured a 100k cycle leg. But he’s never attempted
anything quite as ambitious as this!
Managing Director, Henderson Park
Gijs is an athlete who participated in the Dutch rowing selection and was president of Proteus - Eretes, a
well known rowing club in the Netherlands responsible for several Olympic medal winning athletes.
Gijs was keen to join in to this challenge when he heard about its cause and purpose. He will be travelling
in from London specifically for this reason.
Global Public Health Specialist and Entrepreneur
A lifelong lover of sports, Yoko started exercising seriously as an adult after a health scare in late 20s
from overworking. Her first triathlon in 2009 inspired her so much that she continue to train to this day.
Yoko has competed in half-Ironman in Dubai and completed the Coast to Coast race last year, however this
event will be her most challenging distance yet.
In her spare time, Yoko is a mom of two swimmers whose speed already surpassed hers and she a “decorated”
alpine skier placing first in her age category in various UAE skiing events.
Senior Vice President – Sales & Owner Relations, The First Group
Kamal arrived in Dubai from the United States 12 years ago having participated in team sports in high school
and college. He dipped his toe in the Triathalon world in 2012 and decided cycling was more his thing. He
rides with the TFG Cycle team on weekly rides but this will by far be his biggest challenge to date.
He is motivated to take on the TFG 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge for such a great cause having learned about
the great work that the Rashid Center does for Children of Determination. He is motivated to take on the TFG
7 Emirates Cycle Challenge for such a great cause having learned about the great work that the Rashid Center
does for Children of Determination.
Passionate athlete, award winning cinematographer and film editor; Robert Resto, a native Lebanese with Assyrian origins, succeeded to build a name through his ongoing 16 years in the film industry. His infinite commitment to the humanitarian field has empowered him to join and contribute to Dubai Cares’ legacy. Resto’s community involvement expands to sports and fitness, as he is also the co-founder of Dubai Cycling Page, inspiring many to invest in health, wellbeing and sustainability.
Nawar Haitham is passionate Iraqi athlete, freelance photographer and content creator based in
Dubai.
He works in Business Development,
Nawar is obsessed to sports particularly in cycling and have participated in a different running & cycling
challenges in UAE.
One of his dreams to inspire and motivate many for achieving their goals.
Vice President - Community Management & Operation Excellence, Aldar Properties
A veteran of the real estate industry in the UAE, Kifah brings subject matter expertise in design, master planning& development within the areas of residential, retail, and commercial real estate setting operational strategies.
Since 2018 Kifah has been a member of Dubai Business Women Council, a mentorship program for young professionals. Kifah is an active social cyclist and former professional runner. She is an Executive Committee member of the UAE cycling federation, supporting the development of the UAE national female cycling team, and has recently joined the UAE Athletics Federation as a youth track & field development expert.
Chief Executive Officer, AES International
Sam is a leading educator and investor specialising in complex decision making around family wealth.
A former officer within The Household Cavalry Regiment within the British Army, he commutes 50km to work in Dubai by bicycle each day throughout the year.
Always keen to ride his bike, he’s a huge believer that ‘the first wealth in life is health’ and is fascinated by rituals, habits and behaviours to improve mental and physical wellbeing.
Michael is excited to return to the UAE where he spent 10 years living, working, and cycling on the Al Qudra track just as it was being built. He's a dad of teenage boys, a husband, and big fan of nuclear energy, which is what he spends most of his professional time on these days. Michael's cycling experience began as a teenager with weekend rides with his dad in the Boston area and a couple of formative touring trips with high school buddies around Colorado and France in the late 1980s. Now he basically tools around Amsterdam on his bulky city bike where he enjoys ringing his bell as loudly as possible to scatter tourists from the bike paths. His current training regime can be described as aspirational and intermittent.
Group Head of Corporate Banking, Bank ABC
Mike grew up Mountain biking in Canada. He started road cycling later in life when his family moved to Asia (Taiwan and Hong Kong).
He has done a number of one day events in Asia/Europe and Canada and is excited to do a longer event.
Mike enjoys the post cycle refuel as much, or more, than the actual cycling. His effort level during the ride is often directly related to the number of McDonalds Breakfast McMuffins he wants to eat on the way home. Mike is married to Emma and they have two boys. Whenever possible they bike/ski/hike/play outdoors together.
Chief Operating Officer, Strive Services Group
Patrick is a self-proclaimed “Work in Progress”, who is continually looking to become “Better at Life”
in keeping with the mantra of the Innerfight Endurance team with whom he’s been a member for almost four years.
Having now completed two full Ironman adventures, Patrick is enjoying the life parallels learned through the characteristics and traits of endurance events, helping him navigate life as a dedicated husband and father of four teenage children.
With almost three decades in the Hospitality and Real Estate industry, Patrick was a pivotal founding employee of IFA Hotel and Resorts, developing complex integrated hotel and residential developments throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In 2010 Patrick launched the formation of an Integrated Property Services Group of companies - Strive Services Group. The Group now comprises more than 25 industry specialized services employing over 1,000 colleagues, including a rapidly growing staff housing business.
Tom is a dedicated sports enthusiast and career expat living in Dubai for over 17 years with his family. Transitioning from a youthful footballer to a triathlete, Tom has achieved distances up to an Ironman 70.3, demonstrating his commitment to conquering personal and physical challenges. As he prepares to embark on the TFG 7 Emirates Charity Cycling Challenge 2024, Tom's motivations extend beyond the pursuit of athletic achievements - riding with a purpose to support a cause close to his heart. With the support of his wife Veronica, and their two children, Austin and Elodie, Tom is not just aiming for the finish line but is also pedaling towards making a meaningful impact.
Having come to the UAE frequently over the past several decades, Rob is excited to return to visit friends and tour the country on two wheels. He has participated in many charity rides for disability inclusion and looks forward riding this year for Dubai Cares.
Partner, Deloitte
Wayne is a keen amateur sportsman, having grown up playing Australian Rules Football in Australia, has run
marathons in Honalulu, London and Tromso and has been cycling in Dubai since 2014.
Whilst living in London Wayne took part in the Wooden Spoon 4 Peaks challenge on three occasions, raising
money to help fund projects throughout the UK that support children and young people with disabilities or
living in disadvantage.
When not out exercising Wayne keeps busy trying to keep up with his two active daughters and his yoga-loving
wife, rarely succeeding.
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