Personal branding for urban professionals

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

Tonia Vasile

Founder at TOVASTUDIO

Based in Italy

Tonia Vasile is an architect and urban planner with over ten years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and South America. Her work focuses on transforming underused urban and architectural spaces into places that people choose to inhabit, work in, and connect through always starting from real human behavior rather than abstract form. She was educated between Turin and Valparaíso, earning a double academic formation at Politecnico di Torino and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, an experience that shaped her sensitivity to public space, social life, and the relationship between landscape and everyday use. Professionally, Tonia has worked in Italy, China, and Chile, developing projects that range from large‑scale urban masterplans to workplace and interior strategies. She has worked in Shanghai and Beijing on urban regeneration, waterfronts, urban villages, and mixed‑use developments, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in fast‑paced international design environments. In 2020, she founded TOVA Studio in Milan, Italy, an independent practice dedicated to urban planning, regeneration, and spatial transformation. Across all scales, her approach is grounded in observation, cultural awareness, and the translation of everyday use into clear, inclusive, and spatial solutions.

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.

Lior Steinberg

Based in Netherlands

Lior Steinberg is an urban planner and the co-founder of Humankind, a Rotterdam-based agency for urban change. He works with cities to shift from car-centric design toward "human-scale" urbanism - creating streets and public spaces that prioritize walking, cycling, and social interaction. His career path is unconventional: he spent six years as a computer programmer before transitioning to urbanism. This technical background informs his current work, including the development of "Cycling Lifestyle AI," a tool that helps planners and residents visualize the transformation of car-heavy streets into Dutch-style cycling infrastructure. Lior has consulted on urban mobility and strategic planning for cities around the world. A strong advocate for inclusive design, he specializes in tactical urbanism and child-friendly cities. He is also the author of the children's book The Car That Wanted to Be a Bike, which introduces sustainable mobility concepts to a younger audience.

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.

Gargi Roy

Senior Urban Planner

Based in Germany

As a conscious urban designer and planner, I have always taken steps toward an evidence-based, people-centric approach that weaves various design informants—political, social, and economic —into synergistic relationships to create responsive environments. With ten years of experience in both the public and private sectors, I have been involved in nation-building efforts that include capacity building and providing technical assistance to government and public-sector organizations in India, Germany, and across the globe. I have supported government entities in building collaborations and formalising strategic partnerships through the signing of MoUs.

Alexandru MATEI

Senior Officer Urban Agenda and Partnerships | Speaker | Moderator | Guest Lecturer | Urban Agenda for the EU | Oxford AI Alumni

Based in France

Alexandru is a passionate urban (re)thinker and senior urban professional working at the intersection of cities, communities and European policy. With over 15 years of experience, he supports places across Europe in the design and implementation of just, sustainable and integrated urban development. Having lived and worked in nine cities and one village across four European countries, he is known as a connector of cities, networks and actors, and for his resilience in navigating complex career paths and cultural transitions. As a mentor, Alexandru supports urban city practitioners by combining strategic urban expertise with insights from psychology, including flow, positive psychology, meaningful work, relationship building, trust, resilience, communication, public speaking, conflict management, passion and purpose. His mentoring focuses on helping professionals navigate complexity, strengthen confidence, improve collaboration and align personal motivation with long-term impact. He brings particular experience in building a career in a different country and reflecting on the balance between personal and professional life goals. In 2022, he took over the restructuring of the Support Services for the Urban Agenda for the EU as part of the European Urban Initiative, leading its conceptualisation and implementation, advising multiple partnerships and managing a multidisciplinary team. His work covers EU urban policy, programmes and networks, and he is recognised for generating synergies between institutions and policies. His main interests include integrated, place-based and sustainable urban development, territorial strategies, regeneration, the common good, European spatial planning and the societal impact of artificial intelligence. He has initiated and managed numerous EU-funded projects and is also interested in photography as a tool for observation and exploration.

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.

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.

Dagmar Köhler

Strategic Advisor Sustainable Mobility

Based in Germany

I am a strategic advisor at Mobycon and with extensive expertise in sustainable transportation incl. walking, cycling, road safety, urban transport and mobility projects. I focus my work to helping cities and regions to improve walking, cycling and make their transport systems more sustainable. At Mobycon, we are able to add a Dutch perspective on cycling projects, the only place in the world with a truly inclusive approach to make cycling a real option for transport for everyone. Prior to Mobycon, I have led the German Cycling Academy at the German Institute of Urban Affairs in Berlin and worked for almost a decade at the European city network POLIS in Brussels. I conducted my academic studies in geography and communications at universities in Leipzig, Stellenbosch (South Africa) and Madrid. I have led and contributed to numerous European and German mobility projects, research initiatives, and training programs. I am among the founders of Women in Cycling Germany and continue to support Women in Cycling internationally.

Leyla Saadi

Founder, Managing Director @ Urban Col.labs

Based in Spain

Leyla Saadi is an urban strategist, designer, and founder of Urban Collabs, a practice that supports urban decision makers, governments, consultants, and private developers in making smarter urban decisions through spatial intelligence, mapping, and strategic planning. Her work bridges data and design to help cities become more livable, inclusive, and future-ready. With over a decade of international experience across the UK, EU, Middle East, and the U.S., Leyla has led and contributed to major urban and regional planning projects, including the Soudah Urban Design Codes (Saudi Arabia), the Muscat 2040 Structural Plan (Oman), the Miami-Dade South Corridor TOD Expansion (USA) and many more strategic projects. She has delivered a wide range of initiatives focused on land use strategy, site selection, geospatial analysis, and the integration of technology into creative, place-based solutions. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles at global firms such as Broadway Malyan and Benoy Architects, where she collaborated with high-profile clients on large-scale developments that balance functionality with cultural identity. She managed and liaised with international teams across studios in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Singapore and beyond. Her academic background in Architectural Engineering, combined with advanced studies in Urban Technology, Big Data, and Sustainable Design, forms the foundation of her systems-thinking approach to spatial planning and city-making. This interdisciplinary expertise enables her to bridge the gap between technical analysis and creative vision—allowing for more integrated, data-informed strategies that respond to the complex social, environmental, and spatial dynamics of contemporary cities. It also informs her ability to translate large-scale urban challenges into actionable planning frameworks that support equity, resilience, and long-term impact.

Milena Ivkovic

Based in Netherlands

I’m an architect and urban planner. My professional journey began as a public space designer at a large international consultancy in the Netherlands, where I worked on masterplanning projects for cities across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, I was never interested in designing spaces alone, and my focus shifted to a broader question: how can urban planning better reflect everyday life and community needs? Over the years, I’ve worked across diverse countries and governance contexts, collaborating with international organisations, cities, and institutions as an expert in public space renewal, adaptation, and reconstruction. I have contributed to projects with UN-Habitat, UITP, Placemaking Europe, and ISOCARP, where I served as a Board Member and led the Urban Planning Advisory Teams (UPAT) programme. As Creative Director of BLOK 74 in Rotterdam, I develop innovative digital tools for learning and capacity-building, helping diverse stakeholders engage with complex urban challenges in practical and accessible ways. I also lead Placemaking Balkans, a non-profit think tank implementing EU-funded programmes (Interreg and Erasmus+), focused on public space transformation and participatory approaches to urban development. Alongside my project work, I contribute to the urban design field through leadership and advisory roles on international boards, juries, and professional networks, actively supporting international urban policy dialogue and knowledge development. Since 2024, I have served as a validated expert in integrated urban planning for the URBACT IV Programme of the European Commission, and in 2025 I joined the VNG International pool of experts. Why mentoring? Because I remember how confusing and overwhelming the early stages of a career can feel. Urban planning is interdisciplinary, political, and often messy. I look forward to supporting mentees in building confidence, sharpening their ideas, and finding their way in this complex field.

Sam Austin

Senior Land Use Planner

Based in Canada

Sam Austin is a community planner with professional experience across Australia and Canada, working in municipal government and consultancy roles on land use policy, strategic planning, and community engagement. He has led and contributed to projects for local, regional, and state level governments, giving him a comparative perspective on how different planning systems respond to shared urban challenges. Sam is currently a Senior Land Use Planner with the City of New Westminster in British Columbia. Alongside his professional practice, he is an active public communicator on planning and city-making, contributing through media commentary, policy submissions, public speaking, and social media. His work focuses on issues affecting younger generations, including housing affordability, the night-time economy, and building more resilient and climate-ready cities.

Andreas Michelsen

Director, Sustainability Lead, Gehl People

Based in Portugal

Since qualifying from Bartlett School of Architecture as a building designer, I have covered a range of architectural fields; I have shaped furniture, interiors, single family dwelling, kindergardens, offices, apartments, neighbourhhoods, districts, cities and recently countries. I have done competition design, site inspection, speaking, strategy, engagement, process design, and teaching across the world. Working in architecture is a journey and it's fun!

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.

Joan Watetu Gachoki

Based in Kenya

Joan Watetu Gachoki is an Urban Planner and Sustainability Consultant specialising in climate governance, sustainability transitions, and ESG frameworks. She has over five years of experience spanning government, consultancy, and applied research, supporting climate-informed decision-making across the built environment, energy, and environmental sectors. She is the Founder and Lead Consultant at Eliye Consults, where her work focuses on climate policy analysis, ESG disclosure, sustainability reporting, and green building certification. Her expertise includes GRI Standards, CSRD, ISSB, EDGE, G-SEED, and environmental impact assessment, with a strong emphasis on translating complex regulatory and policy developments into practical implementation strategies. Joan previously served as a Senior Physical Planner with the Government of Kenya, contributing to national land-use and climate-related policy development and supporting county governments in aligning local plans with national frameworks. As a Visiting Researcher at Aalto University (Finland) under the World in Transition programme, she co-authored and published research examining climate governance and political-economy dynamics, using Nairobi River regeneration as a case study (World in Transition Working Paper Series, ISBN: 978-952-64-3026-3).

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.

Shuwen Sailer-Zhou

Based in Germany

Shuwen Zhou is an urban and digital geographer. She is currently leading the International Center for Social Equity and Participation. Her expertise lies in the interaction of urban governance, digitalization and social equity. Shuwen has professional experience with the United Nations Development Programme, the Asian Development Bank Institute, and international NGOs, working on poverty reduction, urbanisation, and community development. She holds degrees in urban planning and public policy from the University of Oxford, the University of Tokyo, and University College London.

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.

Nadeem Ahmed

International Urban Development / Urban Planning

Based in Saudi Arabia

International Urban Development professional with over 10 years of experience and a strong background in sustainable urban planning in the UK and global markets, with in-country experience in Nepal, Myanmar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Most recently in Saudi Arabia, supporting the development of Strategic Urban Plans in Riyadh and Jeddah. Prior to this working on IFI projects (EBRD, World Bank, FCDO), coordinating and delivering strategic urban plans, inclusive economic development, and resilient infrastructure. Demonstrated proficiency in identifying and prioritising green and resilient city actions and supporting their implementation. A chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

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.

Cornelia Dinca

Sustainable & Smart Cities

Based in Netherlands

I am an urbanist, consultant and educator focused on sustainable urban development. I am the founder of Sustainable Amsterdam, a boutique consultancy specialized in transferring Amsterdam and Dutch approaches to sustainable urban development internationally through experiential learning programmes. I have extensive experience working with governmental and semi-governmental partners such as the City of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Smart City, with a strong focus on international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Throughout my work, I have been involved in various mentoring roles, including as mentor city representative in the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC), supporting other European cities in their urban innovation and sustainability journeys. I have also mentored startups through different EIT and New European Bauhaus programmes. I also support individuals in their career development paths, particularly (young) professionals moving to Amsterdam / the Netherlands who are navigating the local urban and sustainability ecosystem. My mentoring approach combines practical urban experience with reflection, learning and personal guidance in complex sustainability transitions.

Bram Dewolfs

Director of Placemaking - Educational & Living Lab Expert - EU Projects Director

Based in Belgium

Bram Dewolfs is a placemaking expert, trainer & EU project developer who co-founded and director of Placemaking of Urban Foxes, an NGO working at the intersection of youth participation, placemaking, public space, and inclusive city-making. His work focuses on helping (young) people & children (including those with fewer opportunities) to analyse their neighbourhoods through fun tools, co-design interventions, and turn ideas into tangible pilots that strengthen belonging, safety, play, climate resilience, and everyday quality of place often through an Urban Living Lab model. With strong experience in Erasmus+, Creative Europe and other European collaborations, Bram supports cities and partners to translate ambitious goals into concrete methodologies, workshops, toolkits, and deliverables, while keeping projects realistic, evidence-informed, and implementable on the ground. He is particularly skilled at bridging grassroots creativity with institutional contexts: aligning youth-driven processes with municipal realities, sustainability, accessibility needs, and long-term policy embedding. As a mentor, Bram is practical, creative, ethical and encouraging. He helps individuals and teams move from a compelling vision to a credible project design: clarifying the “why,” sharpening objectives, building partnerships, designing participatory journeys, and stress-testing workplans and budgets so delivery remains fair and feasible. He also brings strong facilitation skills (online and offline), a toolbox of playful and inclusive placemaking methods, and a clear eye for storytelling, supporting participants to communicate their ideas in a way that convinces stakeholders, funders, and communities alike. On top of this, through his NGO, Urban Foxes also is able to potentially provide fully funded EU City Labs (including transport, accommodation and meals) on the above mentioned topics to the mentees. This way building practical knowledge and skils in a real life setting.

BANKIM KALRA

Urbanist & Place Branding Professional

Based in India

I am the CEO of the Centre for Green Mobility and the Founding Director of Quantum Leap Studio. Over the past two decades, I have worked across cities in India and internationally, learning that real urban transformation happens when policy meets empathy and design meets people’s lived realities. My work focuses on reimagining city-regions and neighborhoods through active mobility, equitable access, sustainable transport, and meaningful behavior change. I believe cities are not just systems to be optimized, but communities to be nurtured. Through the CITIIS Forum mentoring program, I hope to support aspiring and budding professionals in thinking boldly, acting pragmatically, and building climate-resilient, people-first urban futures on a global platform.

MUSTAFA SHERIF

Based in Sweden

Mustafa Sherif is an urban planner and placemaker from Iraq, based in Stockholm, dedicated to creating cities for people, especially children. As Studio Manager at AFRY’s Urban Planning & Design studio, he leads projects focused on human-centered urbanism and applies the Swedish Child Impact Analysis model to ensure urban environments support children’s needs. He specializes in public participation, community engagement, and placemaking. Mustafa is the founder and host of the Urbanistica Podcast, with over 550 episodes and listeners in more than 150 countries, featuring global leaders in urban development. He frequently lectures at universities and professional events, advocating for inclusive cities. Mustafa is Director of Placemaking Sweden and founder of the Nordic Placemaking Network. He has received several recognitions, including awards from the Swedish Architects’ Association and the Jane Jacobs Lecture.

Sean Hertel

Based in Canada

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.

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.