Corporate Officers
We are excited to announce that the Animal Bonding Center is expanding! As we grow our team, we will be featuring our leaders right here, on our team page. We invite individuals with strong leadership skills and a heartfelt desire to serve humanity through our mission to reach out. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of our leadership, including our board, executive team, and advisory members, please connect with us (info@animalbonding.org). Join us as we expand our capabilities and continue to provide transformative experiences through animal-assisted activities both in the physical and virtual / digital worlds.
Ahmed Sallam
Founder of DeepSAFE Technology, Bunny Gurus, and Animal Bonding Center
Ahmed Sallam is a distinguished innovator and technology leader whose career spans several high-profile positions in the tech industry. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Ahmed served in several key executive roles including Vice President of Engineering, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Architect, and Principal Engineer at leading technology companies such as Citrix, Intel, McAfee, Nokia, and Symantec. His profound expertise and visionary leadership in these roles have been instrumental in pioneering advancements in software and cybersecurity.
Leveraging his extensive experience, Ahmed founded DeepSAFE Technology, where he has revolutionized cybersecurity practices and holds over 55 patents as a sole inventor. His passion for technology and its potential to improve lives led him to establish Bunny Gurus, a therapeutic mobile bunny petting program that merges the calming presence of animals with therapeutic practices to aid emotional and cognitive well-being.
Building further on his vision, Ahmed established the Animal Bonding Center, dedicated to advancing emotional and cognitive health through innovative animal-assisted therapy combined with the latest digital solutions. This organization collaborates with academic institutions and industry leaders to innovate and validate new therapeutic approaches, significantly impacting various communities.
Ahmed's career is marked by a commitment to innovation, leadership in technology, and a deep-seated desire to enhance human life through his entrepreneurial ventures, each setting new standards in their respective fields.
Maryam Sallam
Chief Executive Officer
Maryam Sallam is the dynamic young CEO of the Animal Bonding Center, where she channels her deep passion for enhancing mental and emotional well-being into transformative community initiatives. With a degree in Cognitive Science from UC Berkeley and with a specialization in Data Sciences, Maryam embodies a unique blend of academic rigor, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to humanity—qualities she has inherited from her father, Ahmed Sallam, the founder of Animal Bonding Center.
Instrumental in developing Bunny Gurus into the Bay Area’s premier therapeutic bunny petting program, Maryam has expertly combined her skills in animal care and community engagement to expand the program’s reach significantly. She excels in building meaningful connections, particularly among children and the elderly, enhancing their lives through therapeutic animal interactions.
Beyond her role at the Animal Bonding Center, Maryam has a long history playing as a professional competitive basketball player and has excelled in women’s college basketball, earning the prestigious All California Conference First Team Award while playing for De Anza College. Her love for the sport extends to coaching, where she has dedicated over six years to mentoring young girls, fostering teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence.
Maryam’s commitment to service also includes active involvement with adolescents suffering from mental and behavioral health issues, offering support and advocacy to enhance their quality of life. Despite her young age, her multifaceted career reflects a powerful dedication to both her professional and philanthropic pursuits, making her a true asset to the Animal Bonding Center and the communities it serves.