Natasha Ridge is the founding Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. Prior to this appointment, she was the Acting Director of Research at the Dubai School of Government. Natasha has over 20 years of experience working in the international education sector in Asia and the Middle East. She holds a Doctorate of Education in International Education Policy from Columbia University, a Master's in International and Community Development from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.

Natasha has more than 30 publications, including a book entitled Education and the Reverse Gender Divide in the Gulf States: Embracing the Global, Ignoring the Local and another entitled Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspectives and Global Trends. Her latest research focuses on philanthropy and education in the global South and the need for local solutions to local problems.

Natasha is passionate about all things related to education and hopes that the work of the Al Qasimi Foundation will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of people in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE and beyond.