ICSDI 2024 Speakers
At ICSDI 2024, we are honored to welcome our distinguished speakers, who represent some of the foremost authorities in the field of Sustainability Development and Innovation. Their expertise and perspectives provide invaluable insights that will further advance the global conversation around innovation and transformation.
ASCE 2024 President
Marsia Geldert-Murphey
P.E., F.ASCE
SPEAKER PROFILE
Marsia obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University in 1992 and her Masters of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla (Missouri University of Science and Technology) in 1997. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Illinois, Missouri and Indiana and has a National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying record. Her 20 years of professional experience spans the public and private sectors. She directed the Geotechnical and Environmental programs for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Collinsville office prior to joining a Midwestern consulting engineering firm, where she managed all transportation related engineering efforts. In 2006, she joined forces with another female engineer to form their own company after 6 successful years in business she sold her shares to focus on outreach, speaking and writing. In 2013 she founded Sequoia Engineering & Environmental, Inc., located in downtown St. Louis.
Marsia has been actively involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers since college. In 1996, the St Louis Chapter named her Young Engineer of the Year. She moved through the ranks within the St. Louis Section Board of Direction serving as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President and Past President. She served on the National ASCE Committee on Diversity & Women in Civil Engineering and currently serves as the ASCE Region 7 Governor-at-Large and on the National Society’s Public Policy Committee. She served as chair of the St. Louis Corps of Engineers /American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri /American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois Liaison Committee. She also served on the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois/Illinois Department of Transportation Bridge Committee.
Marsia also currently serves as; the co-chair of the Women’s Safe House Golf Tournament, a member of the Donor Committee for the Edwardsville Children’s Museum, a member of the South Dakota State University Civil Engineering Advisory Board, member of the advisory board for Mareck Marketing Group, and a member of the de Tocqueville Society of United Way. Marsia was chosen as one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women of 2010 for her commitment to the St. Louis Region, and her strong presence in the Engineering Community. Marsia also received the 2010 Smart Women, Smart Money Women on the Rise Award from the Illinois Treasurer’s office, an award that is given annually to women whose success as business owners makes them a role model for other women in their community.
UNDP Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ms. Nahid Hussein
Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture
Dr. Abdulaziz Malik Almalik
SPEAKER PROFILE
Dr. Abdulaziz Malik Almalik is the Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. He has also served as Vice President for Scientific Research Support and Director of Life Sciences and Environmental Research Institute (LSERI) at KACST.
Dr. Almalik is serving as the Chairman of the National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE), since 2019, a Member of the National Committee for Education Culture and Science since 2021, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Institute for Health Research (Saudi NIH), since 2021, the Chairman of Almarai Prize for Scientific Innovation Secretariat Committee, since 2020, and a Member of the Advisory Committee for the Health Research Program (Health Transformation Program and the Model of Care), since 2021. He has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, a Member of the Steering Committee of Science 20 Saudi Arabia G20 2020 Presidency and Vice-Chairman and a Member of KACST Scientific Council. He has worked on multiple strategy development objectives and contributed to the successful execution of a plethora of national research, development and innovation programs.
Dr. Almalik is a Research Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He received his PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Manchester in 2013, obtained his MSc with merit in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Glasgow in 2008, and received his Bachelor degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.Pharm.) from King Saud University in 2005. His research interest is focused on the design and development of novel tunable delivery platforms and polymer-based nanodevices for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Throughout his scientific career, Dr. Almalik accumulatedextensive knowledge and practical experience in intellectual property generation, acquisition and management backed by strong academic credentials and recognized by many bodies for R&D excellence, holding over 40 publications in leading scientific journals and several patents.
SABIC Vice President, Corporate Sustainability
Dr. Fahad Al-Sherehy
SPEAKER PROFILE
Dr. Fahad Al-Sherehy obtained his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Canada. Completed Harvard business school Advanced Management Program (AMP). He joined SABIC in 1990.
In 2016, promoted to be SABIC VP- Technology & Innovation. In 2019, he appointed as VP Energy Efficiency and Carbon Management. In 2023, he becomes VP- Corporate Sustainability. Dr. Al-Sherehy has contributed to the development & commercialization of five technologies. He is the inventor and co-inventor of three patents and has been a Board Member of several Companies and government organizations.
Director, Middle East and Africa, Deltares
Dr. Toon Segeren, PhD
SPEAKER PROFILE
Toon Segeren is a highly respected figure in the field of water, subsurface, and infrastructure. He has held several key positions throughout his career, contributing significantly to the advancement of research and development in these areas.
Segeren served as the Director of Middle East and Africa at Deltares, an independent research institute recognized globally for its applied research in water, subsurface, and infrastructure. His role involved overseeing the institute's operations and projects in these regions.
In addition to his directorial role at Deltares, Segeren also held the position of Director of Subsurface and Groundwater. His work in this capacity further solidified his expertise and leadership in the field.
Segeren's influence extends beyond Deltares. He is a member of the supervisory board at EcoShape, where he oversees the implementation of the Building with Nature programme. This initiative aims to develop and share knowledge about Building with Nature, focusing on hydraulic engineering knowledge related to infrastructure development.
One of Segeren's notable achievements was his tenure as the President of Deltares USA. During this time, he played a pivotal role in establishing a research partnership with The Water Institute of the Gulf. This partnership focused on research related to water management projects, coastal modeling applications, and international projects. The collaboration aimed to improve coastal and river water resource management efforts around the country and worldwide.
Toon Segeren's extensive experience and dedication to his field have made him a key figure in water management and infrastructure development. His contributions continue to drive advancements in these areas, impacting both local and global communities.
Governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC)
His Excellency
Eng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim
SPEAKER PROFILE
His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim is a distinguished figure in Saudi Arabia. He was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia1. He has held several leadership positions in various committees and councils, including leading business re-engineering teams in privatization, restructuring strategic planning, and improving the efficiency of financial planning according to government policies.
In 2020, he was appointed as the Governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), which is a Saudi Government Corporation responsible for the desalination of seawater and supplying various regions in the Kingdom with desalinated water1. Under his leadership, SWCC has become the world’s largest producer of desalinated water with a production capacity of 6.6 million cubic meters per day2. SWCC runs 30 desalination plants on the eastern and western coasts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In addition to his role as SWCC Governor, Al-Abdul-Karim chairs the Board of Directors of the Water Transmission and Technologies Company (WTTCO), which is responsible for managing, maintaining, developing, and building water transmission and storage systems across KSA2. He also holds the office of Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of Water Solutions Co2.
Al-Abdul-Karim is known for his passion for achieving significant success, supporting entrepreneurship, and discovering and empowering talented people. His expertise lies in building and developing strategies for organizations, corporate restructuring strategies, and business relationships. He is also recognized for his ability to harmonize the stability of existing services while adopting new trends based on his expertise in business administration and megaproject management.
Human Capital and Innovation General Manager
Dr. Munirah Alaboudi
SPEAKER PROFILE
Dr. Munirah Alaboudi is the General Manager of Human Capital & Innovation Sector at the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, working on investment development and attraction within the country, leading outreach and engagement in investment opportunities across all subsegments of education and educational services In addition to leading the development of the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and enabling it to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Also, Dr. Alaboudi has earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Boston University with an experience that spans more than 17 years in education reform, strategy, research and academia
Acting Head of RDIAResearch, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA)
Dr. Mohammed Alotaibi
SPEAKER PROFILE
Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi, General Supervisor of the Research and Development and Innovation Authority, Deputy Governor of the Communications, Space & Technology Commission. With over 15 years of experience in the field of spectrum policy, he has undertaken various supervisory roles at multiple levels, leading specialized projects in spectrum management at both local and international levels. Dr. Al-Otaibi played a pivotal role in shaping the national spectrum strategy in Saudi Arabia for the period 2020 to 2025.
Dr. Mohammed has previously held several leadership positions, including Public Policy Advisor to the Secretariat of the Political and Security Affairs Council at the Council of Ministers, Technical Leader at the Transformation Office in the Communications and Space Technology Commission, and General Manager of Spectrum at the Authority, earning the title of Senior Engineer.
He possesses a strong academic, research, and practical background in the analysis of quantitative policies, technology, and decision-making. He has worked as a research assistant at the College of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) in the United States. Dr. Al-Otaibi implemented an innovation project in digital-age business models at the Wharton School of Business within the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania. He also applied strategic management in organizational institutions at the Kennedy Government School at Harvard University, and technology enterprise management and leadership in the workplace at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi holds master's and doctoral degrees in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, and a bachelor's degree in the same field from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dr. Margaret Jones Williams
SPEAKER PROFILE
Margaret Jones Williams, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, embodies a wealth of international experience in environmental management and sustainability. With an extensive background that includes pivotal roles across various regions and a strong academic foundation in marine biology and environmental management, she is a seasoned expert in the application of sound environmental practices and climate change adaptation. Her leadership at UNDP, bolstered by her Ph.D. in Oceanography and Environmental Management from the University of Southampton, makes her a significant contributor to global sustainability initiatives.
Delegate of the German Industry for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jemen
Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte
SPEAKER PROFILE
Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte is a distinguished professional in the realm of international commerce. She currently holds the position of Delegate of German Industry & Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen. Her role involves fostering economic relations between these countries and Germany, and she has been instrumental in supporting German companies in their international endeavors.
Before her current role, Dr. Samra-Rohte had an extensive career in the United Arab Emirates, where she assisted German companies in entering the UAE market from 2004 onwards. Her expertise and dedication have been key in establishing successful business relationships in the region.
In addition to her work in the UAE, Dr. Samra-Rohte served at the Arab-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) in Cairo, Egypt. During her three-year tenure there, she headed the economic division, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in international commerce.
Dr. Samra-Rohte’s contributions to the field of international commerce have been significant, and her work continues to impact the economic relations between Germany and the Middle East. Her dedication and expertise make her a respected figure in her field.
Founding President of Engineers Without Borders, USA
Founding Director of the Mortenson Center
Prof. Bernard Amadei
PhD, NAE, Dist. M. ASCE
SPEAKER PROFILE
Bernard Amadei is a renowned figure in the field of civil engineering, known for his significant contributions to academia and his pioneering work in humanitarian engineering. Born in France, Dr. Amadei moved to the United States to pursue his academic career. He earned his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982. He currently holds the position of a distinguished professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Amadei is the founding director of the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities. The center is dedicated to promoting sustainable and resilient community development both locally and globally.
Dr. Amadei’s commitment to using engineering for social good led him to establish Engineers Without Borders - USA, where he served as the founding president. He also co-founded the Engineers Without Borders-International network, extending his vision of community-driven development projects worldwide.
His groundbreaking work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was the co-recipient of the 2007 Heinz Award for the Environment and received the 2008 ENR Award of Excellence. In 2015, he was honored with the OPAL Award from ASCE, and in 2016, he received the C.H. Dunn Award from the Construction Industry Institute. Dr. Amadei is an elected member of prestigious institutions such as the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Construction. He is also a senior Ashoka Fellow. His exceptional contributions to engineering have earned him seven honorary doctoral degrees from various institutions.
In 2013 and 2014, Dr. Amadei served as a Science Envoy to Pakistan and Nepal for the U.S. Department of State, further demonstrating his commitment to global development. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Amadei is also a licensed commercial pilot, holding a multi-engine land instrument rating.
Dr. Bernard Amadei’s career is a testament to his dedication to using engineering as a tool for positive social impact. His work continues to inspire future generations of engineers to use their skills for the betterment of communities around the world.
Sr. Specialist Sustainability and Climate Change Deputyship, Saudi Ministry of Energy
Eng. Faisal Al Qurooni
SPEAKER PROFILE
Faisal is a senior specialist in the Sustainability and Climate Change Deputyship at the Ministry of Energy in Saudi Arabia. He is also an energy efficiency trainer with the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC).
His work in the International Climate Initiatives Department in the Ministry involves representing the Kingdom in several international initiatives such as Mission Innovation, the Clean Energy Ministerial and the Global Methane Initiative.
In these multilateral international initiatives, he leads workstreams related to Carbon Dioxide Removal, Clean Hydrogen and methane abatement in the oil and gas sector. He is also involved in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) by leading the Circular Carbon Economy Regional Collaboration Initiative.
Advisory Director, Environment & Sustainability, WSP
Daymion Jenkins
SPEAKER PROFILE
Daymion Jenkins is a Director in the Earth & Environment practice within the regional Advisory Services business at WSP Middle East. He brings a wealth of experience to further reinforce WSP’s footprint in the field of environmental services. Having moved to the region from WSP UK, where he led a large team working across a range of geoscience and environment management sectors, he aims to bring global expertise to the local markets in which WSP operates.
He will support core services and diversification, helping to further grow the Middle East Earth & Environment capability in line with WSP’s global Earth and Environment capability and structures1. In addition, Daymion will also be expanding expertise in ground sciences and water quality management to development projects where water resource protection is a key concern1. He is excited to join WSP in the Middle East and is looking forward to supporting the team across the region.
Vice-president for International Relations University of Applied Management Studies Mannheim, Germany.
Board member
European Association for Professional Education (EVBB).
Professor, International Business,
Leeds Metropolitan University, England
Prof. Dr. Dolores Sanchez
SPEAKER PROFILE
Prof. Dr. Dolores Sanchez Bengoa is since 2016 the Vice-president for International Relations at the University of Applied Management Studies in Mannheim, Germany. In 2021 she became member of the board of the European Association for Professional Education (EVBB). She is Professor for International Business, graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University, England. Her responsibilities include the development of international co-operations as well as the internationalization strategy of the university.
She provides lectures at postgraduate and master level and she is an active researcher in EU projects. She was the national project leader for the three-year European project DevOps and Smart Cities. Her professional focus is on intercultural management, leadership, communication, knowledge transfer and smart cities. Over the last 28 years she has accumulated an extensive intercultural experience by working, teaching, researching, and living in seven European countries. This international life has provided her with a deep understanding of how national cultures influence on international business, leading her to develop tools and strategies to successfully manage cultural differences. She regularly teaches in Lithuania, Finland, Russia, Tunisia, Greece, China and Germany bringing the international and practical dimension into the university’s classroom. She has published over 35 academic papers and book contributions.
Vice Director of the Department of Information Art and Design,
Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University
Prof. Zhiyong Fu
SPEAKER PROFILE
"Zhiyong Fu is a tenured Associate Professor, doctoral supervisor and vice director of the Department of Information Art and Design, Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University.
He serves as the Director of the Art and Technology Innovation Base at Tsinghua University, Deputy Director of the China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Research Center, Secretary-General of the Information and Interaction Design Committee of the China Industrial Design Association,(IIDC) President of the International Chinese Association of Human-computer Interaction(ICACHI). He is co-Founder of the Global Design Futures Network(GDFN), the member of the Second Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Expert Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and a Director of the China-Europe Alliance for Arts and Humanities Education.
His teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in interaction design, service design, design thinking, and innovation and entrepreneurship. His research interests encompass intelligent product and service design, smart cities and design futures. He is the leader for multiple national and international research projects and published papers in key international conferences/ journal in HCI and design. Fu was a recipient of the Ministry of Education's New Century Excellent Talents Support Program in 2006 and was a visiting scholar at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, in 1998, and Carnegie Mellon University, USA, in 2008. He played a key role in planning and organizing the China-U.S. Young Maker Competition under the Ministry of Education from 2014 to 2023 and he currently co-leads GDFN, a future-oriented global creative community that is preparing future-thinking innovators to tackle sustainability challenges with the design futures methodology
Industry Lead, Esri Saudi Arabia
Eng. Hesham Gaafar
SPEAKER PROFILE
"In his current role as the Digital Twin and AEC Lead at Esri SA, Hesham brings more than a decade of expertise and experience to the forefront of the AEC industry. Prior to this position, he served as the Digital Engineering Manager at Gleeds, where he played a pivotal role in shaping digital strategies for the company in Peru reconstruction project.
Hesham has a strong academic background, having graduated as a civil engineer and honed his skills with a master's degree from the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. His commitment to continuous learning led him to pursue a post-graduate diploma in Civil Engineering Informatics, supported by a prestigious scholarship from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Egypt.
A testament to his thought leadership is his latest publication, "Digital Transformation Solution for Identification of Geotechnical Parameters Using Statistical Data Analysis," featured in the ERJ Engineering Research Journal, Faculty of Engineering, Menoufia University.
Hesham's multifaceted journey reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the continual advancement of the digital construction industry."
Managing Director, Southeast Asia and MENA region, U.S. Green Building Council
Mr. P. GopalaKrishnan
SPEAKER PROFILE
As MD of of GBCI SEA & MENA Markets, Gopalakrishnan manages business and market development of LEED and other GBCI rating systems for the Southeast Asia and Middle East regions.
His expertise includes corporate strategy, international market expansion, branding, and business unit creation.
An alumnus of College of Engineering, Guindy and IIM Kolkata, he has more than 30 years of corporate experience in Southeast Asia , India and the MENA Markets.
Professor in School of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering at South China University of Technology (SCUT)
Prof. Jiafu Wan
SPEAKER PROFILE
Jiafu Wan has been a Professor in School of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering at South China University of Technology (SCUT) since Sep 2015. He was listed as a Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher (2019-2023), and he was also named as Highly Cited Chinese Researchers by Elsevier (2020-2022). His research interests include Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Twin, Big Data Analytics, Industry 4.0, Industrial Internet of Things, Smart Factory, Fault Diagnosis and Industrial Robot. He has directed 20 research projects, including the National Key Research and Development Program of China, the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Guangdong Province, and Guangdong Province Key Areas R & D Program. Thus far, he has published more than 150 scientific papers, including 130+ SCI-indexed papers, 50+ IEEE Trans./Journal papers, 26 ESI Highly Cited Papers and 6 ESI Hot Papers. His research results have been published in some famous IEEE/ACM Journals & Magazines, such as Proceedings of the IEEE, ACM Computing Surveys, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, IEEE Communications Magazine, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, IEEE Transactions on Emerging Topics in Computing, IEEE Network, IEEE Wireless Communications and IEEE Internet of Things Journal. According to Google Scholar Citations, his published work has been cited more than 23,000 times (H-index = 66). His SCI other citations (sum of times cited without self-citations) reached 8,000 times (H-index = 51) according to Web of Science Core Collection. He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing and Computers & Electrical Engineering, and served as Technical Editor for IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (2019-2021). He is a Leading Guest Editor for several SCI-indexed journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, IEEE Systems Journal, IEEE Access, Elsevier Computer Networks, Mobile Networks & Applications, and Computers and Electrical Engineering. He is a Senior Member of IEEE.
Director of the BE OPEN Foundation
Gennady Terebkov
SPEAKER PROFILE
Gennady Terebkov is Director of the BE OPEN Foundation, a cultural and social initiative that aims to harness the brainpower of creative leaders through a system of conferences, competitions, exhibitions, master classes and art events.
Mr. Terebkov has served in this position for 11 years now, being at the helm of arts and design events, educational programmes, global partnerships and researches. Under his management, BE OPEN has been exploring unique ways of fostering creativity to support a better future, and implemented dedicated projects in Italy, the UK, India, the US, and Switzerland.
Mr. Terebkov was born and educated in Moscow, graduated from the Social Studies Department, Moscow State University, Ph. D. He holds МВА from Russian Academy of Foreign Trade.
Previously he was Head of International Communications of the INTECO Company, a large construction holding in Moscow, Russia. He was responsible for creating and development of the company’s global PR strategy, advertising policy, acted as a Press Representative for the President.
In 2012 he became Director of the BE OPEN Foundation, and since then has been determining the activities of the foundation in both the educational and exploratory strands of its work.
In 2019-2022, in partnership with Cumulus Association and educational institutions, BE OPEN developed and implemented the international competitions for students and graduates of creative courses of over 300 universities located all over the world. It called for projects that could become solutions to the United Nation’s SDG initiative with a particular focus on SDG12, SDG11, SDG2 and SDG7.
Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Director, Embedded and Pervasive Computing (EPIC) Lab,
HUST, China
Prof. Min Chen
SPEAKER PROFILE
Min Chen is an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to data-driven communication, caching, and computing. He is a tenured full professor in School of Computer Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology. He is also the director of Embedded and Pervasive Computing(EPIC) Lab at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He is the founding Chair of IEEE Computer Society Special Technical Communities on Big Data. He was an assistant professor in School of Computer Science and Engineering at Seoul National University. He worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of British Columbia from 2006 to 2009. He received Best Paper Award from IEEE ICC 2012 and IEEE IWCMC 2016, etc. He serves as associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Big Data, IEEE Network, and IEEE Trans. on Cognitive Communications and Networking, etc. He was a Series Editor for IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications. He is Symposium Chair of IEEE Globecom 2022 eHealth, and Co-Chair of IEEE ICC 2012-Communications Theory Symposium, and Co-Chair of IEEE ICC 2013-Wireless Networks Symposium. He was General Co-Chair for IEEE CIT-2012, Tridentcom 2014, Mobimedia 2015, and Tridentcom 2017. He was keynote speaker for IEEE BHI-BSN 2022. He has 200+ SCI papers, including IEEE JSAC, IEEE TNNLS, IEEE TPDS, IEEE TWC, IEEE TSC, INFOCOM, AAAI, Science, Advanced Materials, Nature Communications, etc. He has published 12 books, including Big Data Analytics for Cloud/IoT and Cognitive Computing (2017) with Wiley. His Google Scholar Citations reached 43,000+ with an h-index of 97 and i10-index of 310. His top paper was cited 4,454+ times. He was selected as ESI Highly Cited Researcher from 2018 to 2023. He got IEEE Communications Society Fred W. Ellersick Prize in 2017, the IEEE Jack Neubauer Memorial Award in 2019, and IEEE ComSoc APB Oustanding Paper Award in 2022.
Founder and President
Sustainability Professionals of Saudi Arabia (SPSA)
Dr. Mohammed Al-Surf
SPEAKER PROFILE
Mohammed S. Al Surf, holder of PhD. in Sustainable and Green Construction. Senior Advisor for Sustainability and Climate Action at Jacobs. Founder of the Sustainability Professionals in Saudi Arabia Network (SPSA) reaching 7000 members. First Saudi to become a USGBC® Faculty, an ISSP® Sustainability Associate and a TRUE® Advisor. LEED® Accredited Professional in BD+C, ENV SP credential and a Green Classroom Professional. Author of the books titled “Sustainable Housing in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities & Challenges” and “10 Steps to Become a Sustainability Professional”. Member of several local and international professional entities such as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE), the Pacific Rim Real-Estate Society (PRRES), Asian Real-Estate Society (AsRES) and Project Management Institute (PMI). Dedicated to applying a systematic approach to Green Construction and Sustainable methods applied on projects in Saudi Arabia to induce quality of life while preserving the depleting supply of natural resources.
Managing Director for Horváth Middle East
Patrick Braunschweig
SPEAKER PROFILE
Patrick is the Managing Director for Horváth Middle East, an international management consulting company. His main topics of interest are Green Transformation, Sustainability, and Financial Performance Management. Patrick holds a university degree in business administration and computer science and is a Fellow of the ACCA.
Patrick is also a member of the German International School in Dubai as a board member overseeing the Finance function.
Marketing Consultant
Esam Al Domaini
SPEAKER PROFILE
Esam Al Domaini An international marketing consultant his experience includes working in marketing and business development, as a consultant he provided over 10,000 marketing consultations and participated as a judge in the user experience award. In addition to his role as a consultant he founded several companies and entrepreneurial projects. He is a well known trainer and lecturer in marketing. He also participated and launched a number of community initiatives. Mr. Esam is currently taking his PHD degree in Cities Marketing.
Director, Renewable Energy Business and Applications Development
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy
Faisal Alomar
SPEAKER PROFILE
Faisal is currently leading Renewable Energy Business and Applications development department responsible for promoting and enabling emergent renewable energy technologies and applications in King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Prior to joining K.A.CARE, Faisal worked with SABIC for over 12 years in increasingly
responsible roles in Engineering, Project Management, and Technology & Innovation. During his tenure at SABIC, Faisal has successfully managed delivering LEED accredited project. Faisal hold Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Auburn University, USA, as well as Executive Master of Management in Energy a joint program from BI Norwegian Business School and IFP School.
Director of Smart Cities and Environmental Sustainability, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)
Mrs. Julie Alexander
SPEAKER PROFILE
Alexander is the Director of Smart Cities and Environmental Sustainability at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA). She was formerly the director of smart city research and urban development at Siemens, where she spent just under seven years studying the impact of new technologies on urban environments. At DGDA, she is helping build a city of the future that is rooted in the past. Her plans involve creating a ‘Smart City’ and boosting tourism to Diriyah, a historical town in Saudi Arabia. The city is being transformed into a global tourism destination steeped in more than 300 years of history.
Presales General Manager, solutions by stc
Abdulla Alotaibi
SPEAKER PROFILE
Abdullah is a seasoned IT Solutions Architecture and Business Development expert, boasting a career spanning 15 years. He has a proven track record of assisting clients in navigating complex business challenges using digital technologies.
His experience encompasses working with leading regional and international ICT firms to support clients across a variety of sectors, including government, telecommunications, and financial services.
Possessing a deep understanding of technology trends paired with a strategic business mindset, Abdullah has been instrumental in providing bespoke IT solutions.
His areas of expertise include IT infrastructure, data, and analytics, as well as application and platform integration. This breadth of knowledge has enabled him to serve clients across a wide range of sectors successfully.
Director, Middle East and Africa, Deltares
Dr. Toon Segeren, PhD
SPEAKER PROFILE
Toon Segeren is a highly respected figure in the field of water, subsurface, and infrastructure. He has held several key positions throughout his career, contributing significantly to the advancement of research and development in these areas.
Segeren served as the Director of Middle East and Africa at Deltares, an independent research institute recognized globally for its applied research in water, subsurface, and infrastructure. His role involved overseeing the institute's operations and projects in these regions.
In addition to his directorial role at Deltares, Segeren also held the position of Director of Subsurface and Groundwater. His work in this capacity further solidified his expertise and leadership in the field.
Segeren's influence extends beyond Deltares. He is a member of the supervisory board at EcoShape, where he oversees the implementation of the Building with Nature programme. This initiative aims to develop and share knowledge about Building with Nature, focusing on hydraulic engineering knowledge related to infrastructure development.
One of Segeren's notable achievements was his tenure as the President of Deltares USA. During this time, he played a pivotal role in establishing a research partnership with The Water Institute of the Gulf. This partnership focused on research related to water management projects, coastal modeling applications, and international projects. The collaboration aimed to improve coastal and river water resource management efforts around the country and worldwide.
Toon Segeren's extensive experience and dedication to his field have made him a key figure in water management and infrastructure development. His contributions continue to drive advancements in these areas, impacting both local and global communities.