SAHAM Foundation has appointed Rita El Kadiri as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing expertise in education policy and institutional transformation to the organisation’s efforts to improve school health in Morocco.
Her appointment comes as the link between education, student well-being and human development gains importance in discussions about the future of the Moroccan education system. Her role will focus on advancing the foundation’s ambitions in school health, an area that requires coordination between educational institutions, public policies and social initiatives.
El Kadiri brings experience in education reform and strategic advisory work. In 2019, His Majesty King Mohammed VI appointed her as a member of the Special Commission on the Development Model (CSMD), which was tasked with contributing to a long-term vision for Morocco’s development.
She subsequently joined McKinsey & Company, where she worked on the transformation of education systems and supported non-governmental organisations. This experience has given her exposure to the institutional and operational challenges involved in implementing large-scale social programmes.
El Kadiri holds a master’s degree in International Education Policy from Harvard University, an academic background that complements her work in education strategy and public policy.
At SAHAM Foundation, her appointment is expected to bring this combination of policy expertise and organisational experience to initiatives centred on school health. The foundation’s priorities place student well-being at the intersection of education and social development, with an emphasis on strengthening support for children within the school environment.
Her arrival also highlights the role of experienced leaders in translating development objectives into practical programmes. In Morocco, improving educational outcomes increasingly involves looking beyond classroom instruction to the wider conditions that influence students’ health, participation and ability to learn.
