Meet Our
Leadership Team

Sham’aa Hameed [Anna]

executive board member

Dr Sham’aa Abdullah Hameed, known as Anna, is a dedicated marine conservationist and medical professional with over ten years of expertise in marine research and project management. She is the founder of the Ocean Warriors Institute and as an SSI Instructor Trainer and a PADI Platinum Course Director, with a strong commitment to cultivating the next generation of diving instructors, Anna emphasizes rigorous safety protocols and environmental stewardship within the diving community.

Mohamed Rifshan Shaheem

executive board member

Rifshan is the head of Dive RAID Maldives PVT LTD and the Maldives representative of Dive RAID International. Rifshan is an elite Instructor Trainer with expertise of more than 15 years in the industry.

Praladh Kakkar

president

Prahlad Kakar is the co-founder of ReefWatch Marine Conservation, set up in 1994, which aims at creating marine-life awareness. Prahlad Kakar supports and plays an important role as the Chief Advisor & Trustee of Natura Outdoor Education Trust. Lacadives, India's Premier Sports Diving Organization was set up in 1995, by Prahlad and Mitali Kakar in Kadmat Island with the active collaboration of the administration of Lakshadweep. Lacadives has set standards, which are on par, if not better than any other in the world, for safety and committed teaching of students, Indians and Foreigners. It is the only CMAS certified Dive Centre in India and is also the only establishment to have Six CMAS Instructors working with it on a full-time basis

Anees Adenwala

vice president

Anees Adenwala – Founder PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer (MSDT) & CMAS Instructor Anees Adenwala is one of the pioneers of India’s outbound scuba diving and underwater filming industry and one of the nation’s first certified scuba instructors. With a career spanning over 30 years and more than 15,000 dives, Anees has trained thousands of divers and helped shape India’s underwater adventure landscape. He established one of Lakshadweep’s earliest dive centres in 1996 and later brought professional dive training to Mumbai through Orca Dive Club. His work has made scuba diving more accessible to urban India. As Brand Ambassador of the DRT Show India, he is widely recognised as a leading voice in Asia’s diving community. Anees is also the founder of Underwater Film Services (UFS), India’s premier team for underwater cinematography and stunts. Since 2003, UFS has contributed to over 100 films and commercials, working with top names in Indian cinema and television.

Hussain SENDI Rasheed

vice president

Rasheed began diving in 1981 and became a PADI Divemaster in 1986, an Instructor in 1993, and Course Director in 2000. He is the former Dean of the Faculty of Marine Studies at Villa College. He is also affiliated as an Executive Director of all Villa Dive Centres under his company Dive Oceanus. He is also a founding member of the Divers Association of Maldives (DAM). Sendi currently focuses on teaching PADI Professionals and has been a mentor to thousands of new divers, including more than 1,600 divers he had trained in his ongoing career. In 2019 he received the Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Honorary award.

Suraj Khan

secretary general

Suraj is a versatile management professional and entrepreneur with an MBA in Marketing and HR. After a successful stint working with multinational corporations, he ventured into building businesses that reflect his passions—travel, adventure, education, and storytelling. He is a director and investor in one of Kerala’s leading marine adventure companies, offering a wide range of water-based experiences including scuba diving, parasailing, game fishing, kayaking, and mermaiding. His deep interest in experiential travel also led to a bespoke travel venture that curates luxury escapes across the Maldives, with a focus on yachting, liveaboards, and private island stays. Suraj is the Co-Founder and Vice President (India) of the South Asian Travel Awards, a prestigious platform that celebrates excellence in hospitality and tourism across the SAARC nations. Most recently, he has entered the edutech space with a company dedicated to delivering future-focused training in advanced technologies to learners in Kerala. Alongside his business ventures, Suraj is an accomplished photographer with a keen eye for capturing architecture, interiors, lifestyle, and travel stories. His work blends technical precision with a storyteller’s instinct, creating compelling visual narratives that elevate spaces, brands, and experiences.

Ahmed Ibrahim

treasurer

Ahmed Ibrahim is currently serving on the Executive Board and Management Team of the National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM). He brings extensive experience in the operation and management of diving liveaboards and has been actively involved in the tourism sector for many years. Nooraanee 2 and Princess Haseena are two successfully operating liveaboards, while he has played a key role in organizing and managing high-quality dive trips, contributing significantly to the liveaboard tourism industry in the Maldives.

Shameen Adenwala

executive board member

Shameen Adenwala – Co-Founder & Partner MFI (Mermaiding Federation International) Instructor Shameen Adenwala, co-founder of Orca Dive Club, is a passionate water enthusiast with a diving journey that began in 1998 and over 400 dives to her credit. A former national-level swimmer, her deep-rooted connection to water has shaped both her personal and professional life. At Orca, she has been instrumental in establishing the club’s strong operational foundation, renowned for her focus on client experience, efficiency, and personal attention. Shameen’s dedication has helped create the warm, inclusive atmosphere that defines Orca today. Embracing a new aquatic path at 50, she became a certified MFI Mermaiding Instructor and founded *Orca Merjestic*—a platform introducing people of all ages to the art and joy of mermaiding. For Shameen, it’s more than a performance—it’s about empowerment, grace, and reconnecting with water. Her commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and emotional connection continues to inspire a new generation of divers and ocean lovers.

Mitali D Kakar

executive board member

Mitali D. Kakar – Film Producer, Environmentalist & Scuba Pioneer Mitali D. Kakar is a multifaceted professional—film producer, startup consultant, Scuba instructor, and environmentalist—with a career spanning over four decades. After studying Mass Communication at Sophia College, she began in advertising and rose to become Managing Partner at Genesis Film Production, handling major campaigns for brands like Pepsi, Nestlé, Britannia, and Samsung. A scuba diver since 1989 and India’s first female CMAS 3-Star Instructor and Course Director, Mitali combines her passion for the ocean with education and advocacy. She founded *Reef Watch Marine Conservation*, focusing on marine research, education, and filmmaking. Her award-winning documentaries like *Troubled Waters* have raised awareness on coral reef degradation and climate change. Mitali also mentors future media professionals through the Prahlad Kakar School of Branding and Advertising and advises MSMEs and startups on production strategy and branding. A TEDx Salon speaker, she remains a powerful voice in environmental conservation and media innovation.

Mohammed Hifnaz Jiffrey

executive board member

An experienced corporate strategist and entrepreneur, Hifnaz Jiffrey brings over 18 years of expertise in business transformation and growth across diverse industries. As Group CEO of Maldives Holiday Collections, he has been instrumental in scaling liveaboard operations, forging strategic partnerships, and setting new benchmarks in guest experience and operational excellence. His leadership continues to shape the future of sustainable, high-quality liveaboard tourism.

Mohamed Jalal (Jerry)

executive board member

Mohamed Jalal (Jerry) is a seasoned professional in the dive and tourism industry, currently serving as Managing Director at Waterproof Sport Pvt Ltd and DivePoint Maldives. With over three decades of experience, Jalal has played a significant role in the development and management of dive school operations, particularly in luxury resort environments across the Maldives. His deep-rooted expertise spans across dive training, equipment distribution, and tourism services. Jalal is also a partner in the company representing SSI (Scuba Schools International) and Mares in the Maldives, further solidifying his influence in the country’s diving community. In addition to his leadership roles, he oversees dive centers and guesthouses located in Guraidhoo, Malé Atoll, contributing to the growth of both local and international diving tourism.

Jackson Peter

executive board member

Jackson Peter is the visionary Managing Director of the Bond Group of Companies, a leading force in India’s water sports, ocean conservation, and marine-themed entertainment sectors. Under his leadership, the group has grown into a dynamic ecosystem of six companies that seamlessly blend adventure, education, and environmental responsibility. From Bond Safari Kovalam’s renowned scuba diving experiences to the high-octane thrills of Bond Adventures, Jackson has redefined coastal tourism in India. He champions professional training through the Bond Academy for Adventure Sports and drives marine sustainability via the Planet Ocean Foundation. Cool Divers Pvt. Ltd. ensures strategic coherence across all verticals, while Bond Experiences brings the ocean to life through immersive marine-themed shows. With a deep-rooted passion for the sea and a relentless drive for innovation, Jackson Peter continues to shape India’s blue economy, inspiring a new generation of adventurers and ocean stewards