About Us
Global Perspective. Local Expertise. Proven Results.
We are an international team combining North American investment governance with deep, operational and strategic experience in the UAE’s real estate market.
Mission & Approach
Proven success in RAK real estate inspired us to formalize our model – offering others the opportunity to participate while continuing to drive meaningful growth in the market.
Project RAK Investments Inc. was founded to make international real estate investment secure, transparent, and accessible to accredited investors. As a Canadian-registered company, headquartered in BC, with UAE-based operations, we bridge two worlds: investor trust and on-the-ground opportunity.
Our focus: asset-backed investments and strong developer relationships that deliver consistent returns.
Meet the Team
CEO I Managing Partner
Mike Shami
As a private investor with 25+ years of experience across real estate and public markets, Mike built his career identifying early-stage property opportunities and delivering annual returns of 30–50%. His disciplined, data-driven approach now drives Project RAK’s strategy.
Managing Partner, UAE
Joseph Makdissy
An architect and property developer with 20 years in the UAE market. Joseph’s unique blend of design and development expertise gives Project RAK its local edge — shaping deals, influencing design, and maximizing project value.
Managing Partner, Canada
Robbie Birkner
Robbie is a seasoned entrepreneur with 25 years’ of global experience in strategy, finance, and operations. At Project RAK, he applies his track record of building and selling businesses to guide investment strategy, assess opportunities, and support long-term growth.
CFO
Shakeel Velji
Shakeel brings 25+ years of strategic financial leadership across global multinationals (up to $1B), including architecture and technology. His deep experience in investment strategy, risk management, and value creation underpins Project Rak's long-term strategy.
VP Business Development
Tony Bishouty
With 20+ years of leadership and business growth in finance, banking, and private investment, Tony leads with integrity and purpose. He builds lasting partnerships rooted in trust, reflecting Project RAK’s focus on security, performance, and investor confidence.
VP Investor Relations
Jessy Manhas
Dr. Jessy Manhas blends
medical entrepreneurial success with lasting financial real estate growth. Founder of both Eyes For The World and Visionpros, as CEO until its 2021 sale, his role at Project RAK is the perfect extension of a career dedicated to transforming lives.
CREO
Anwar Mkayed
A real estate executive with 12+ years of experience in the UAE market, Anwar provides strategic vision and operational excellence for Project RAK's real estate portfolio. With an Architecture degree and a keen eye for opportunity, he excels at asset optimization.
VP Marketing
Marie Lanyon
As a 20+ year marketing strategist with a background in technology and global ventures, Marie leads investor communications and brand strategy for Project RAK – ensuring clarity, credibility, and transparency across all touch points
Our Commitment
We believe secure investments require transparency, measurable results, leadership, and true expertise.
While connecting qualified investors with exceptional UAE opportunities,
we uphold the trust, compliance, and governance expected from a Canadian financial entity.
Connect with our team to learn more about current investment opportunities
and projects.