Transport Infrastructure

Maite Peris

Communications Strategist for Urban Projects

Based in Spain

Seasoned Communications and Citizen Engagement professional with 15 years of experience adept at elucidating urban policies for organizations through innovative means. Successfully spearheaded the implementation of +200 urban projects spanning sustainability, mobility, urban planning, architecture and urban services, including infrastructures, waste management, parks, beaches, energy and air quality. Proven expertise encompassing marketing, PR, Media Relations, Branding and Social Media, with a keen focus on nurturing Stakeholder Relations. Recognized for the ability to distill intricate information into clear, compelling narratives. Demonstrated leadership in overseeing teams exceeding 40 members

Jaime Ruiz Huescar

Co-founder of CITIES FORUM

Based in Spain

Jaime is the Co-Founder of CITIES FORUM and Director of its branches in Spain and Colombia. CITIES FORUM is an international firm and think tank comprised of experts in sustainable urban development and smart cities, with presence and projects in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. He was the Smart City project coordinator and was in charge of electric mobility at the Murcia City Council in Spain, where he led one of the working groups of the RECI, the Spanish network of smart cities. Jaime is leading various international projects of CITIES FORUM in the field of sustainable urban mobility, aimed at providing advice, training, and technical support to governments and cities worldwide in collaboration with funding organizations such as the World Bank, the IDB, or the GIZ. Jaime is an expert evaluator of electric mobility projects for the European Commission and has been a juror for several international awards like the "European CIVITAS AWARDS." Jaime has a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and a Technical Architecture degree from the Catholic University San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM). He has completed training programs at business schools such as IESE and the University of Oxford. Jaime Ruiz has been a speaker at over 50 international events related to smart cities and sustainable urban mobility since 2018 to the present, in addition to being the master of ceremonies at five editions of the Latam Mobility Summit held in Mexico, Medellín, and Santiago de Chile. Jaime was also recognized as a Top Transportation Planning Voice on LinkedIn.

Venugopal AV

Based in India

As a Program Manager working in urban development, I’ve learned that transforming cities is as much about transforming systems and mindsets as it is about infrastructure. My journey has centered on collaborating with government agencies, from city corporations to national ministries, to translate people-first ideas into funded projects and adopted policies. I’ve navigated the complexities of building consensus, strategizing for scale, and turning setbacks into learning opportunities within the public sector. I can offer support to mentees exploring: · Government Engagement & Policy: Strategies for effective collaboration, communication, and technical input to influence policy. · Project Strategy & Scaling: Moving from a pilot concept to a budgeted, city-wide or national program. · Navigating Professional Growth: Building a purposeful career in the public/social impact sector, handling motivation, and learning from challenges. · Personal Branding: Communicating your work and impact authentically to different audiences. If you're passionate about creating change within systems and seeking a thoughtful sounding board, I’m here to share insights from my own journey and what I've learned from peers.

Maria Natalia Paulino Araujo Alcantara

Senior Mobility Planner

Based in Italy

Senior Mobility and Transport Planner with an international academic and professional background, grounded in architecture and urban planning. She currently works on complex mobility and transport planning projects across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America, contributing to large-scale urban developments, major venues and international masterplans. Her professional path spans Europe, the United States and Brazil, combining academic excellence with hands-on experience in multidisciplinary, international environments.She holds two Master’s degrees in Urban Studies and Urban Planning, including the Erasmus Mundus 4Cities program, and brings a strong ability to bridge spatial thinking, analytical reasoning and design-driven problem solving within mobility and transport planning contexts. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for translating complex data, spatial analysis and stakeholder inputs into clear, structured and implementable mobility frameworks. Her work focuses on creating alignment between planning, design and delivery, supporting informed decision-making and robust project outcomes in complex, high-stakes settings.As a mentor, she will support individuals navigating international careers in urban planning and mobility, particularly those seeking clarity on professional positioning, international transitions and long-term career direction. She can support mentees in structuring their profiles, refining CVs and portfolios, and navigating the transition from academic or early professional stages into complex, real-world planning and mobility environments. Her mentoring approach is practical, structured and outcome-oriented, focused on building strategic clarity, confidence and concrete next steps rather than generic advice. She works best with motivated professionals who are ready to take ownership of their path and translate ambition into informed, achievable decisions.

Didier Vancutsem

Based in Germany

Jeffrey Shumaker

Partner, PPD; Former Chief Urban Designer, NYC

Based in United States

Jeffrey Shumaker, AICP, has been working at the intersection of architecture, urban design and planning for more than thirty years, in both the public and private sectors, and in cities across the globe. He served the City of New York as its Chief Urban Designer and Director of Urban Design and held leadership roles in some of the world’s top architecture, urban planning and design firms, including SOM, KPF and BIG. Jeffrey is currently President of Urbanscape, an international urban design and planning consultancy and Co-Founder of Partners in Public Design. Taking a place-based approach to his work, Jeffrey is helping communities, architecture and planning firms, private and non-profit institutions, towns and cities create better places to live, work, study and play. Jeffrey provides a full range of services from urban design, planning and illustration to liaising with city agencies and advising clients on strategy and public approvals. Globally, Jeffrey is serving as expert advisor to UNHabitat on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – participated in two expert panel discussions - and is working with cities around the globe to build internal urban design capacity, most recently in Pretoria, S. Africa and Seoul, S. Korea. Jeffrey holds dual Masters Degrees in Architecture, Planning and Urban Design from MIT and a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Syracuse University. He is the recipient of the Public Architect Award from AIANY and the Michael Weil Award from the NYC Department of City Planning, both recognizing excellence in urban design in the public realm. Jeffrey teaches and lectures frequently and is currently an adjunct professor of urban design and planning for Columbia University and the Syracuse Architecture program in NYC.

Patricia Gimenez Franco

Senior Urbanist | Architect | International Advisor

Based in Paraguay

Urbanism is about people’s everyday life — and that conviction has shaped my professional journey. I am an architect and senior urbanist with over 20 years of experience across architecture, urban and territorial planning, and geography. I have built an international career working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, living and working in different countries, with strong language skills and high geographical mobility. My professional path spans the public and private sectors, advising cities, governments, development projects, and international cooperation programs in Latin America and Europe. My core areas of expertise include urban policy, planning and design; housing, land management; real estate; public space; urban regeneration; urban governance; resilience; capacity building, among others. I have contributed to complex urban initiatives with institutions such as the WB, IDB, UNDP, UN-Habitat, EEAS, the EU, LILP, KRIHS, and Gehl, among others, through projects, advisory roles, workshops, and learning programs. Beyond academic frameworks, my work is grounded in practice and real-world complexity, shaped by governance constraints, institutional dynamics, implementation gaps, and the relational dimension of urban management — understanding not only how cities are planned, but how they actually work. I write to reflect on practice, translate complexity, and share urban knowledge. As a mentor, I support professionals navigating career transitions, international and consulting pathways, and complex decision-making processes, offering clarity, grounded strategic thinking, and a pragmatic understanding of how urban work unfolds in practice. My mentoring approach is reflective and structured, helping mentees work through moments of uncertainty or stagnation by reconnecting skills, experience, and direction. Despite extensive experience, I continue learning from practice, context, and people — because urban work is dynamic, and context matters.

Connery Cepeda

Sustainable Mobility + Urban Planner

Based in Japan

Accomplished transportation/mobility, community and land planner with 20+ years of project delivery experience, including 8 years in international development and smart cities – supporting, managing and leading projects across all stages for public and private sector clients – with design, project management, research, data analysis, technical writing, translation, and collaboration skills.

Marina Kyriakou

Architect / Urban Planner at the Climate Change & Environment Department of the Cyprus Energy Agency

Based in Cyprus

Marina Kyriakou is an architect who holds a bachelor’s degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Strasbourg in France (2013). In 2014, she completed her Master's in Urban and Regional Planning at the Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She is a member of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus, both as an Architect and an Urban Planner, and a board member of the Urban Gorillas NGO. From 2015 to 2019, Marina was working in architectural offices in Cyprus and was active in citizen initiatives on socio-cultural and environmental issues. In 2019, she joined the Global Bicycle Mayor Network representing her city of Nicosia, through this independent and voluntary role in cycling advocacy. In the same year, she was employed by the Cyprus Energy Agency as an Architect and Urban Planner, participating in and contributing actively to many European and local projects within the Climate Change and Environment Department. Marina has participated in various trainings and initiatives on active mobility, Nature-based Solutions, energy and transport poverty, and other matters related to the human-centered and sustainable development of cities. She is also one of the founding members of the European Creative Rooftop Network. Marina is very passionate about urban cycling, green roofs, and play-friendly and child-friendly cities!

hemalatha M C

Master Planner

Based in India

Policy, Planning and Design professional in the fields of Urban Development, Industrial corridor planning, Smart Cities, Master Planning including Project Management Consultancies and Project Management Units. Experience working in Middle-east, India, Zambia and Nepal. Team mentoring, and Project Structuring. Experience formulating and strategizing projects from inception upto project implementation methods. Supports program management through conducting Techno Economic Feasibility studies, Land suitability/Capability studies and detailed Site assessments. Company representative and Client fronting.

Merve Akdag

MSc Architect and Urban Researcher

Based in Turkey

Merve Akdağ is an interdisciplinary designer with a background in architecture (B.Arch, Istanbul Technical University) and a Master’s in City and Architecture from Özyeğin University. She has led teams and developed public strategies as a design professional. As the founding leader of Şehrine Ses Ver, she has initiated award-winning participatory projects, interdisciplinary workshops, and interactive urban panels. Her work is grounded in inclusive design, urban justice, governance, public engagement, and data-driven design. She is committed to authentic thinking and effective coordination in shaping equitable urban environments. Her studies focus on producing innovative content, fostering team & community engagement, and developing and detailing unique artificial programs and collaborations in The Spatial J/U/S/T Art & Design Collective.

Ating Liu

Based in United Kingdom

Ating brings solid expertise and strategic leadership to transport infrastructure and area regeneration projects. She takes a proactive approach in leading teams through complex challenges, securing vital funding and investment, and fostering strong partnerships that deliver transformative outcomes. With over 20 years of experience in this dynamic field, Ating collaborates with partners to identify opportunities, develop funding strategies, ensure successful delivery and benefits realisation, and lead initiatives that drive meaningful, positive change with a lasting impact on communities.

Reza Ambardi Pradana

Based in Singapore

Ludo Campbell-Reid

Based in Australia

Angela Lopez

Associate - Urban Planner and Designer at ARCADIS | Architect LEED AP BD+C | MSc Cum Laude Urbanism + Technology in Sustainable Development (TISD) Specialization

Based in Mexico

Urban designer & planner committed to make a positive impact on the people around me and my environment: my city, my country and the world. My wish is that my dedication to sustainability and sustainable living at home and at my workplace ‘practicing what I preach’ will inspire others to follow my lead. My goal is to encourage sustainable designs and practices as my way of making a difference in my professional practice. During my years of professional experience in the construction industry I have sought to combine the success of clients with improving the quality of life of people and caring for the environment. With more than 15 years of professional practice, I have had the opportunity to accumulate experience in the design and development of Interior Design, Architectural, and Urban Design & Planning projects, as well as their execution and coordination. I enjoy new challenges, as evidenced by my educational and professional experiences abroad. As a result of my multi-cultural background I am extremely adaptable which has been essential for my professional career. During my role as the Urban Design Team Lead and Sustainability Coordinator for a small practice in Mexico City I was part of an interdisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the development of Sustainable Master Plan projects in multiple Mexican cities such as Colima, Culiacán, Durango, Mérida, San Luis Potosí and Mexico City. I joined IBI Group (now Arcadis) Mexico City practice in December 2020. Since then I have participated in master planning, urban design, and sustainability & resilience consulting projects in North America and Latin America, mainly in Mexico, Guatemala and Brazil. The Pedestrianization and Parking Management Consultancy for Oaxaca Historic City Center in Mexico was one of my latest projects where I played a key role as the project coordinator between the client (IDB), the beneficiaries (Municipality) and the community involved.

José Carpio-Pinedo

Based in Spain

Jose is an Architect and PhD in City and Regional Planning, with wide experience in planning and transport consultancy in both the public (CRTM, Madrid Transport Authority) and private sectors (Atkins Ltd, London, and Tragsatec, Madrid). Currently, Jose is an Associate Professor (tenured) at ETSAM - High School of Architecture in Madrid Polytechnical University (UPM). In 2025, he was a Fulbright visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. His main specialities are sustainable mobility, urban design, public space, spatial analysis, pedestrian planning and modelling (LEGION certified user). At the bigger scale, Jose has worked on transport-land use planning integration, transit-oriented developments (TOD), city-wide pedestrian strategic masterplans, and the definition of criteria for Low Emission Zones. Jose has received the First Prize at the Madrid City Council Urban Economy Research contest (2016), the 2nd prize at the Ford Smart Mobility Challenge-Spain 2020, the UPM's PhD Extraordinary Award, and the Spanish Association of Geography's Best Urban Geography PhD Thesis Award (2022).

Saira Vilchis

Expert in urban development and mobility

Based in Mexico

I have 17 years of experience in designing, evaluating, and implementing strategies for more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable cities. My work focuses on the intersection of technical knowledge, with a strong emphasis on generating evidence for public decision-making. Since 2013, I have been collaborating with the Mario Molina Center in project coordination, where I have developed technical analyses, designed methodologies and indicators, and accompanied private companies in the design of sustainability strategies, especially in the social component. I have participated in international programs such as Women in Motion – Urban Leaders and Urban95, an initiative promoted by the Van Leer Foundation and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for the design of cities focused on early childhood. I also participated as a specialist in the technical groups on transportation and gender of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) for the development of the Sustainable Taxonomy of the financial system in Mexico, a pioneer in integrating the gender perspective into a financial instrument. I integrate gender perspective, care approach, and territorial justice across the board, promoting urban policies that respond to the differentiated needs of women, girls, boys, and other historically excluded groups. As a mentor, I combine my technical expertise with soft skills development, recognizing that while technical knowledge can be acquired, leadership, communication, negotiation, and networking skills require an intentional development process. I accompany mentees in defining career strategies, professional leadership, strategic communication, and decision-making in complex environments, with the aim of strengthening urban leadership committed to territorial, climate, and social justice.

Sonia Medina

Sustainable mobility and gender specialist

Based in Germany

Urban manager specialized in sustainable mobility and gender. I am passionate about promoting sustainable mobility and advocating for just transport systems. My goal is to work towards making cities more sustainable, equitable, healthier, and safer places to live. To this end, I have been working in sustainable urban mobility since 2015, focusing on active mobility and gender. I have focused my professional career in advocating for safer and more inclusive transport systems. Formerly I worked at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) México office as the Active Mobility and the Cycling Cities Strategy Coordinator managing some projects related to cycling, pedestrian mobility, and urban design considering the gender perspective. In 2018 I was able to take the Planning the Cycling City Summer School at the University of Amsterdam and in 2020 I was part of the Urban Leaders of Women in Motion taking the course Mobility and Gender in Latin America. I managed the project E-MOVILIZA focused on the transition toward low-carbon electric mobility in Ecuador.

Danbee Lee

Urban Expert

Based in Germany

I am an urbanist passionate about creating happy cities through public spaces that incorporate urban Nature-based Solutions. In addition, I am highly interested in enhancing social capital in cities through placemaking. I have 5 years of professional work experience in an international organization to enhance climate resilience in Asian cities. My academic background ranges from political science, economics, international security, international development cooperation, to sustainable urban planning. To achieve various experiences, I lived in several cities: Seoul, Chicago, Berlin, and Frankfurt am Main. I believe that building livable cities is not something we can do individually. It happens when we connect and exchange ideas and visions with like-minded people, because this “togetherness” is key to a sustainable urban future. Hence, I hope to support young urban planners who are looking for clarity and direction as they navigate their journeys.

Misha Mittal

Based in United Arab Emirates

Misha Mittal is a senior urban strategist and city advisor with over 17 years of experience shaping policies, mega-scale developments, and sustainability-led urban transformation across the UAE, India, and international markets. She currently serves as Senior Manager – City Advisory at Expo City Dubai, where she works closely with mayors, city leaders, multilateral organizations, developers, and technical experts to design and deliver future-ready urban strategies, flagship initiatives, and global partnerships. Her work focuses on translating long-term urban vision into implementable and investable outcomes across land use, mobility, infrastructure, and climate resilience. In parallel, Misha leads the G100 Smart and Sustainable Cities Mission in the UAE as the Country Chair, advancing women-led leadership, city diplomacy, and systems thinking at the intersection of governance, climate action, built-environment, technology and economic resilience. She has led intellectual property development that integrates urban planning, ESG, finance, governance, and communication into structured frameworks and digital metrics and has been a member of several national and emirate-wide task force. A Certified Circular Economy Professional and sought-after speaker, Misha is known for bridging strategy with execution. Her expertise spans climate-conscious real estate, heat and water resilience, circular economy models, and nature-positive urban systems, as well as building effective public–private and international partnerships. As a mentor, she supports mid-career professionals, emerging leaders, and founders in urban planning, sustainability, infrastructure, and real estate, helping them move from technical roles to trusted advisory and leadership positions. Her mentorship is strategic, candid, and grounded in real-world decision-making, focused on navigating complex institutions, leading in ambiguity, and creating meaningful, long-term impact.

Elisabet Olle Amat

Urban Designer / Urban Planner

Based in United States

Elisabet has been trained as an architect and urban designer, allowing her to cross-pollinate between disciplines and deliver the best solution for every urban environment. She has 16 years of experience as an urban practitioner; her international profile brought her to work in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Over the last seven years, her focus has been the US, mainly California, although she also has worked for other cities such as Chicago, Denver, and Tempe. Her holistic approach yielded contributions ranging from large-scale masterplans for entire cities to districts, neighborhoods, and urban block interventions. She is experienced in regenerative masterplans encompassing mixed-use, commercial, institutional, residential, and leisure development projects for the private sector. In addition, she has worked in Transit Oriented Developments, Airports Masterplans, Specific Plans, Vision Plans, Community Plans, and Objective Design and Development Standards for cities and public agencies. Besides that, Elisabet also had the chance to work with local communities and organizations, empowering them to design their own neighborhoods. Having worked in diverse contexts — from the pedestrian-oriented streets of Barcelona and London to car-centric environments in Los Angeles, Chicago, and other U.S. cities, as well as complex projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al-Duqm, and Beijing — she has learned to quickly adapt to new cultures, regulatory frameworks, and community expectations, turning every project into an opportunity for growth. She guides emerging designers and planners by sharing these lessons, helping them navigate technical challenges, cultural nuances, and effective community engagement across different urban systems. She emphasizes holistic thinking, encouraging mentees to understand how architecture, infrastructure, policy, and social dynamics intersect in shaping cities.

Melissa Gómez

Based in Germany

Victoria Freyssinier

Based in Mexico

Jens Aerts

Based in Ethiopia

Experienced in international urban development assignments with a diversity of key actors, I combine technical knowledge and human skills to support multi-stakeholder projects towards sustainable urbanisation, corridor development and green transformation. With a sharp analytical focus, I am good at data analytics, strategic thinking and clear reporting. I have been trained as a Master in Civil Engineering Architecture in Belgium and a Master in Urban Planning in Spain. With my 20 years of experience in practice, policy and research, I have been managing complex projects with cities and municipalities, international institutions, NGOs and project developers in different international contexts. Currently I provide technical assistance to the European Union, World Bank, Cities Alliance and the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation, focusing on regional development, urban climate resilience and urban mobility. I am regularly asked to provide technical assistance in spatial research, local policy development and innovative urban development practices, to help shape investment programs and planning policies based on principles of sustainability, inclusion and economic feasibility. Nowadays I commute between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Brussels, Belgium.

Sean Hertel

Based in Canada

Giselle Sebag

Executive Director | Founder

Based in Spain

I’m Giselle Sebag (MPH, LEED AP)—an architect, urban planner, and public health practitioner focused on improving health by design. I work at the intersection of urban planning, public health, mobility, climate resilience, and equity, helping cities and civil society partners translate evidence into place-based strategies that improve everyday life—how we move, what we breathe, how safe we feel, and how connected we are. I serve as Executive Director of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), a global network advancing the field of urban health and strengthening the bridge between evidence and real-world action. I also founded Vital Cities, an evidence-driven advisory practice that partners with city governments, the private sector, and mission-driven organizations to ensure urban investments deliver the greatest possible impact—improving health, quality of life, and economic outcomes. My career has been built in the “in-between spaces” where change is hardest—and most promising: between planning and health, policy and design, infrastructure and community life. I’m especially interested in how practical shifts—safe walking and cycling, public-space activation, access to nature, healthier housing and neighborhoods, and inclusive community life—can transform places and reduce inequities. I’m based in Barcelona and New York and work internationally. What I offer as a mentor: Strategic, practical support for mentees who want to create measurable impact across disciplines. I can help you (1) clarify your direction and refine your professional story, (2) translate research and data into implementable urban strategies, (3) navigate cross-sector stakeholder dynamics, and (4) apply a place-based approach that breaks down silos and builds shared purpose. Bring a real challenge—an initiative that’s stuck, a career crossroads, or a project that needs a sharper strategy—and we’ll work together to move from insight to action.

Diego Garcia Fernandez

Based in Mexico

Diego García es Arquitecto y Urbanista con más de 16 años de experiencia, principalmente en los campos de planificación urbana, placemaking, diseño urbano y arquitectónico, desarrollo orientado al transporte público (DOT), gestión de proyectos, regulaciones urbanas y arquitectónicas. Diego posee una Maestría en Urbanismo de la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (Barcelona TECH) y es egresado de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la UNAM. Entre los proyectos relevantes en los que Diego ha participado se encuentran 4 planes maestros para plantaciones de café cerca de Antigua Guatemala, cada uno abarcando más de 70 hectáreas, tres planes maestros en el área sur de la Zona Metropolitana de Guatemala, que cubren más de 1,000 hectáreas, 2 proyectos de mejora urbana con enfoque en el Desarrollo Orientado al Transporte Público (DOT) en Belo HoDiego García is an Architect and Urban Planner with over 16 years of experience specializing in urban and architectural design, placemaking, transit‑oriented development (TOD), master planning, project management, and urban regulations. He currently leads the Urban Planning & Architecture practice for Arcadis in Mexico, where he has grown the team from 1 to 21 professionals and driven significant business development and project delivery. Diego holds a Master in Urban Planning from UPC / Barcelona TECH (ETSAB, DUOT Barcelona) and an Architecture degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Among Diego’s notable projects are strategic master plans for coffee farms near Antigua Guatemala, covering more than 100 hectares, and several large‑scale urban master plans in the Guatemala City metropolitan area exceeding 1,000 hectares. He has contributed to innovative TOD initiatives in cities such as Belo Horizonterizonte y Río de Janeiro, un estudio de pre-factibilidad para el teleférico de Chapultepec.

Oliver Lah

Based in Germany

Oliver Lah coordinates the Urban Urban Living Lab Center, a UN-Habitat Collaborating Center co-hosted by Technical University Berlin, Wuppertal Institute for Climate Environment and Energy and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the director of the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative and an Adjunct Professor at the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH). Prior to that Oliver worked with UN-Habitat, UN Environment, UNDP, OECD/ITF and GIZ on urban mobility and climate change issues. He was a lead author for the Fifth IPCC Assessment Report, was a member of the Habitat III Policy Unit on Urban Services and Technology and worked at the Ministry of Transport of New Zealand and the Minister of State to the German Federal Chancellor. Oliver holds a Bachelor of Art in History from Humboldt University, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science and a Master of Environmental Studies from Victoria University of Wellington and a PhD in Urban Ecology from Technical University Berlin.

Viviane Weinmann

Based in Ghana

Viviane is a transport and mobility professional with over 12 years of international experience in project management and transport infrastructure planning. She holds an M.Sc. in Transport and the Environment from Newcastle University (UK, 2012) and a B.Sc. in Aviation Management from the European Business School (Germany, 2010). As a Certified Intercultural Coach, she brings a strong focus on inclusive and gender-responsive mobility development. Since 2020, Viviane has been a Transport Advisor and Project Manager at GIZ, where she supported the design and implementation of urban mobility projects, including EU-funded project in Cameroon. She advises on strategic development for gender-inclusive mobility through initiatives such as Women Mobilize Women and contributes to global advocacy. Viviane also develops capacity-building formats & creating digital learning products. Her work extends to implementing pilot projects in collaboration with local administrations, such as school zone redesigns in Indonesia and traffic studies in Uganda. Previously, as a Transport Planner at ARUP Singapore (2014–2019), Viviane contributed to major urban and regional projects, including the Sentosa Island and masterplans for Singapore’s new CBD. Her work integrated multimodal planning, low-carbon mobility strategies, and transport simulations to advance the city’s Zero-Car-Growth Vision. She also played key roles in the design of cycling corridor projects by supporting the development to Singapore’s national cycling standard. Earlier in her career with Lufthansa German Airlines (2010–2012), Viviane focused on airport master planning and terminal optimisation, enhancing operational efficiency through Lean Management approaches.

Zeina Nazer

Co-Founder of Cities Forum

Based in United Kingdom

Co-Founder of CITIES FORUM, College of Experts member for UK Department for Transport, Chair of ITS-UK Road User Charging, and Secretary General of ITS-Arab, Zeina has 25 years of global experience in strategy, entrepreneurship, consulting and innovation at KPMG, Parsons, Jacobs, Dubai Government, and AECOM in GCC, Turkey, Europe, UK, S.E. Asia and USA. Zeina is a leading advisor for governments around the world and specializes in Growth Strategy and Policy, Strategic planning, Active Travel, Climate Change, Sustainability, Net Zero Transport Policies, Smart & Sustainable Cities, Connected Autonomous Vehicles, Road Safety standards, Smart Mobility, Road User Charging, and shaping the future of transport in public transport and autonomous vehicles. After 7 years working in the USA, Zeina moved to London in 2005 to support international projects including leading international consultancy work with Arcadis for M25 Integral Demand Management. Zeina also provided support to financial design of the New Zealand Toll project with Deloitte, supported Strategy&PWC in the Project Management Office (PMO) for Abu Dhabi ITC and supported Dubai RTA in shaping the future of transport in public transport and autonomous vehicles. Zeina led Research project for CCAV at Department for Transport on assessing safety of CAV on UK public roads. • Zeina is a member of the UK Department for Transport College of Experts. • Zeina is Jury Member for EISMEA established by European Commission. • Jury member of GLOMO Award in innovation at MWC & Jury member of CiTTi Awards in UK. • Zeina was chair of the ISO Technical Working Group TC204 and served as Director on the Board of Women in Transport International. Zeina was the chair of the ISO Technical Working Group TC204 WG1 on ITS Systems Architecture. Zeina also served as Director on the Board of Women in Transportation WTS in the USA. Zeina holds BSc. of Civil Engineering from American University of Beirut, MSc. in Transport Engineering from University of Texas at Austin, Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago MPhil in Engineering & the Built Environment at University of Southampton and currently completing PhD in Innovation & Technology Management at SSBR. Zeina is registered Professional Engineer in USA. Zeina is a keynote speaker & author of over 100 papers of international magazines and conferences. Zeina is British & Lebanese and is fluent in Arabic, French & English.

Daniel Serra

Strategic Consultant

Based in Spain

I am an innovation expert with more than 20 years of hands-on experience building the things that most organisations only talk about: ecosystems that actually connect people, programmes that deliver results, and strategies that survive contact with reality. My career has taken me from the factory floor of Tier-1 automotive suppliers to the boardrooms of European institutions, and that breadth is not incidental — it is the foundation of how I think and what I bring to every engagement.I started in automotive engineering, managing complex product launches and cross-border projects for companies like Ford, SEAT, Volvo and Daimler. Those early years taught me something that no MBA course fully captures: how large organisations make decisions under pressure, where strategy breaks down in execution, and what it takes to move things forward when the interests at the table are genuinely conflicting. By the time I transitioned into innovation, I already knew that the hardest part is never the idea — it is the system around it.That conviction shaped everything I did next. At CARNET — the Future Mobility Research Hub co-founded by SEAT, Volkswagen Group Research and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya — I helped build one of the first structured public–private innovation partnerships in Southern Europe focused on urban mobility. I managed over 60 collaborative research projects, co-led flagship initiatives like the Virtual Mobility Lab and MaaS Catalonia, and spent three years learning how to make academia, industry and city government work together productively. It is harder than it sounds, and more rewarding than most work I have done.From there I joined EIT Urban Mobility at its founding, and spent the better part of seven years helping build what became Europe’s largest innovation community in urban mobility: over 1,000 partner organisations across 35 countries, a portfolio of more than 150 invested startups, and a pan-European ecosystem that connected cities, operators, corporates, research institutions and ventures around a shared agenda. I led the ecosystem and stakeholder function, grew membership revenues from €1.4 million to €2.5 million in 18 months, trained and developed over 40 partner-facing professionals, and eventually took on the leadership of the Impact Ventures unit, responsible for deploying approximately €6 million in seed investment in 2025. None of that happened through clever slide decks. It happened through sustained relationship-building, a clear sense of where value actually lies, and a willingness to stay close to the work.What I have developed over these two decades is a specific kind of expertise: I know how innovation ecosystems are built and how they fail, how European programmes work from the inside, how to translate policy ambitions into concrete investment and partnership logic, and how to help organisations find their place in a landscape that is always more complex than it first appears. I am equally comfortable working at the level of strategy and at the level of execution — in fact, I think that distinction is often less useful than it seems.Today I work independently, advising organisations across mobility, smart cities and European innovation on strategy, ecosystem positioning, programme design and partnership development. I also serve as a Board Member of Gaia-X Spain, mentor professionals through EMCC Global and Esade Business School, and speak regularly at events including Smart City Expo World Congress and the International Transport Forum. I hold an Executive MBA from Esade Business School and a Master’s in Management Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de València.I am based in Barcelona, work across Europe, and am open to strategic consulting engagements, interim leadership roles and advisory or board positions.

Jashwanth tej Kasala

Program Manager (Asia)

Based in India

ashwanth Kasala has over 12 years of experience in urban mobility, transport planning, and sustainable urban development, working across South and Southeast Asia. His work focuses on advancing safer, more inclusive streets through the planning, design, and implementation of people centered mobility projects in rapidly growing cities. He currently supports city partnerships under the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI), working closely with municipal governments to advance street redesign, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian safety initiatives. Through these programs, he collaborates with city agencies, traffic police, and technical partners to help cities translate road safety commitments into practical, on ground interventions. Jashwanth has extensive experience working with municipal corporations, state agencies, multilateral development banks, and international technical partners, bridging policy, planning, design, and implementation. His work includes program management, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, policy advisory, and project delivery, ensuring that city led initiatives are technically sound, scalable, and aligned with global safe street design principles. Through his work, he supports cities in strengthening institutional capacity, fostering cross departmental collaboration, and advancing safe, equitable, and climate responsive urban mobility systems across the Global South.

HLABISHI PETER NTLOANA

Land Use Manager

Based in South Africa

Profile: Ntloana Hlabishi Peter Ntloana Hlabishi Peter is a South African researcher and urban planning specialist whose work focuses on sustainable urban development, public transportation systems, spatial planning, and informal settlement management in Limpopo Province. His academic and professional interests center on improving urban mobility, transit-oriented development (TOD), and sustainable human settlements, particularly in rapidly developing towns such as Burgersfort. He completed postgraduate studies in urban planning and development, including a Master’s research dissertation at the University of Johannesburg, examining government responses to informal settlements in Burgersfort Extension 10. His research highlighted the importance of land acquisition, public-private partnerships, and integrated sustainable settlement planning. Ntloana Hlabishi Peter also completed a Master of Urban Design research report at the University of the Witwatersrand, focused on revitalizing public transport modes to support transit-oriented development in Burgersfort Town. His work proposed integrated transport systems, mixed-use development, and urban densification strategies aimed at improving mobility and economic sustainability. His published academic contributions include studies on: Public transportation infrastructure and urban sustainability Spatial planning and land use management Sustainable urban mobility Transit-oriented development in mining and growing municipal towns