Niche specialization identification

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.

ILEKTRA PAPADAKI

Senior Expert UN and EU systems. Former Team Leader at the European Commission

Based in Greece

I advise policy makers of international organizations, national and local governments how to turn complex urban and environmental challenges into actionable strategies, implement and monitor them.With a decade of experience in EU and UN systems, I specialize in policy design, strategy setting, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and building high-impact partnerships. I also lead teams and manage multi-year projects. I am committed to support you navigating public sector careers and roles in international organizations, leadership positions, career changes, upskilling and training paths, finding your lost motivation, and dealing with challenging work environments. Also happy to exchange if your career is focused, or you want to focus it, on policy, climate change issues, affordable housing, or monitoring. Don't hesitate to get in touch!Some highlights from my work experience:-As Team Leader and Policy Advisor to management, I led and shaped initiatives for the construction sector and the urban environment at the European Commission (2017–2023), coordinated High Level Fora and multi-stakeholder initiatives, designed and implemented international projects, authored institutional reports.-Senior Expert for the Sustainable United Nations Facility (2024– ), driving sustainability performance improvements and coordinating annual reporting across the UN system toward climate neutrality.-Active in research and practice at the global and EU levels: PhD(c) Spatial and Urban Engineer, with focus on international climate and development policies and their influence to national and local strategies.-Experienced mentor and advisor: URBACT Lead Expert, Cities Forum Mentor, with a track record in city mentoring programs (New European Bauhaus, Net Zero Cities). Mentored over 15 trainees and younger colleagues in their early career, as manager in international organizations.

Meeta Goel

Senior Social & Planning Expert

Based in India

Meeta is a Social and Planning Expert at INI Design Studio, with 18+ years of experience of working on tourism master plans, development plans, social impact assessments, and vulnerability assessments. Meeta’s professional experience is diverse, from pursuing research on urban vulnerability to mapping frameworks for equitable development. A GSTC accredited professional in Sustainable Tourism, Meeta engages with government departments, NGOs, SPVs, and PPP entities for the identification of contextual and resilient interventions in urban and tourism landscapes. In her diverse career span, she has worked closely with experts in the international climate regime and sustainable development. Meeta's perspective has evolved to understand the user behaviour and their relationship with space and their surroundings. As a geographer, Meeta believes in creating sustainable and equitable designs and frameworks for communities so that they can thrive in safer environments.

Raúl Oliván Cortés

Based in Spain

Director of Hexagonal, a laboratory, foundation, and consultancy specialized in public and social innovation. He founded LAAAB (2018–2023) and Zaragoza Activa (2010–2017). He is the creator of the Hexagonal Innovation Model (HIP), commissioned by the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government. He advises institutions and organizations across Europe, Latin America, and Africa, helping strengthen systemic transformation processes through innovation labs and communities. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy, a BA in Advertising and Public Relations, and a Diploma in Social Work. Alumni of the United States’ International Visitor Leadership Program. Rockefeller´s Bellagio Center fellow and alumni.

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.

Oleksandra Tkachenko

Work on the edge between urban planning and strategies.

Based in Netherlands

Oleksandra works at the intersection of urban planning, design, and strategy. This is reflected in her dual academic background. In 2012, she graduated as an urban planner from the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. In 2016, she complemented this with a Master’s degree in Urban Management and Development at Erasmus University Rotterdam. After gaining experience at several firms, she joined KuiperCompagnons in 2021. Her approach places strong emphasis on development processes such as scenario planning, participation, stakeholder management, and research. Her projects are always strongly oriented toward context, people, and program. In recent years, she has worked on projects ranging from area transformation visions to concept designs. In addition to her daily work at KuiperCompagnons, she also cstarted and leads the NGO Ukraine Netherlands Urban Network (UNUN).

Gabriela Fontanals

Advisor in International Planning Codes Development

Based in Saudi Arabia

Architect specialized in urban land development with more than twenty years of international experience in urban regeneration and the organization of large-scale urban systems. My practice integrates urban design, architecture and regulatory frameworks through a structural understanding of the city, with a focus on identity, climate and long-term urban performance. I have worked across Europe and the Middle East in contexts of high technical and institutional complexity, developing my own methodology based on urban structure and operational viability. My work focuses on understanding the city as a system and defining clear frameworks for its transformation, linking urban form, public space and governance. I bring an approach aimed at structuring complexity, clarifying professional criteria and establishing stable frameworks within the field of urban planning, with an emphasis on strategic direction and long-term professional growth.

Jenny Sepulveda

Urban Planner at City of Calgary, Canada

Based in Canada

Jenny Sepulveda is a senior planning and environmental professional with extensive experience in municipal planning, environmental impact assessment, permitting, and regulatory compliance across public and private sectors. She has worked closely with local governments, multidisciplinary teams, and stakeholders to deliver projects that balance sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community needs. Throughout her career, Jenny has held leadership and advisory roles, managing complex projects, supporting policy development, and guiding teams through regulatory and approval processes. She brings strong skills in project leadership, client and stakeholder engagement, business development, and strategic decision-making, with a particular focus on practical, implementable solutions. In recent years, Jenny has become deeply involved in mentoring junior professionals and emerging leaders, supporting their professional growth, confidence, and career transitions. She is passionate about knowledge-sharing, ethical leadership, and helping mentees navigate challenges such as career progression, workplace dynamics, and leadership development within planning and environmental fields. Jenny is also an experienced public speaker and community engagement practitioner, having completed advanced training to strengthen her communication and facilitation skills. As a mentor, she offers thoughtful guidance grounded in real-world experience, empathy, and a global perspective on cities, governance, and sustainable development.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Konstantinos Kourkoutas

Coordinator of a Strategic Research Community of Sustainable and Smart Cities

Based in Spain

City enthusiast working currently as the coordinator of a multidisciplinary strategic research community of more than 30 groups, research centers and institutes in the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain, impulsing open urban innovation processes, promoting quadriple helix implication and citizen co-creation. Design Thinker, strategic vision and social catalyst. Experience in masterplanning of ecological mixed-use and residential settlements. Involvement with smaller scale urban and architectural design projects, utilizing bioclimatic criteria. Experience in energy performace analysis and calification for residences and tertiary sector buildings. Research experience in territorial,regional and urban studies in European and National Research programs.

Ananya Bhatia

Sustainable Urban Development consultant

Based in Vietnam

I’m an Urban Planner and Climate Researcher based in Ho Chi Minh City, with ten years of experience in climate resilience across South and Southeast Asia. My work focuses on nature-based solutions, urban heat mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. After my Master’s in Urban Planning (2015), I worked on GIS and spatial analysis in Punjab. From 2018-2024 at IRADe, I developed heat action plans for Indian cities and expanded to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with gender-sensitive approaches. Since 2024, I’ve been consulting with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Bangkok, leading capacity development programs across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. I’ve gained experience in climate resilience using GIS and remote sensing, integrating nature-based solutions with urban planning, disaster risk reduction, gender-inclusive climate action, and designing training programs for diverse stakeholders from government officials to communities. I’m happy to share experiences with early-career climate professionals, urban planners integrating climate into spatial planning, practitioners developing gender-sensitive interventions, capacity builders designing training programs, researchers bridging research and policy, and those interested in South-South knowledge exchange. I’ve worked on proposals for international funders, participated in COP events, published research, and managed multi-stakeholder projects across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. My approach is collaborative—sharing what I’ve learned while listening to what you’re working on. I’m glad to have a conversation and offer whatever insights might be helpful from my experience making cities more resilient across Asia.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Reza Ambardi Pradana

Based in Singapore

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.

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).

Florinda Boschetti

Urbanist - Clean Air Advocate - Sustainable Mobility & Social Innovation Advisor

Based in Belgium

Dr. Florinda Boschetti is a city and transport planner and a committed advocate for liveable, healthy, and climate‑neutral cities. She has over 20 years of experience in sustainable mobility and urban governance across research, the public sector, philanthropic organisations, and European city and network associations. Her work involves close collaboration with city leaders, public officials, national and international stakeholders, European institutions, and intergovernmental organisations. Since 2009, Dr. Boschetti has led and contributed to major strategic research and innovation projects funded under the 7th EU Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, and Interreg. Her areas of expertise include sustainable urban mobility planning, active mobility, clean and connected mobility, and urban logistics. She has held senior roles with the European Cyclists’ Federation, the European city network Polis, and was a founding member of the management team of EIT Urban Mobility (2020-2024). Before moving to Brussels in 2009, she worked with the Municipality of Ancona (2004–2005), where she coordinated a public participatory laboratory within the city’s Piano Innovativo in Ambito Urbano, financed by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure. She currently works with Clean Air Fund, supporting European cities in accelerating the transition towards clean air by leveraging collective intelligence of civil-society organisations. Dr. Boschetti regularly serves as an international expert in the evaluation of European co‑funded research projects. Since 2018, she has been a Senior Expert for the Solar Impulse Foundation, contributing to the assessment of clean technology solutions, and an Expert Evaluator for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership's Call for project on 15-minute cities approach. As a mentor, she creates a trusted space for reflection, helping professionals reconnect with their purpose, and translate values into impactful action within complex policy settings.

Dayana Al Alam

Based in The Netherlands

I am an architect, researcher and urban manager with 12+ years of experience. l started my career as an architect but I spent the last 9 years in the training and learning fields. I studied and worked in both The Netherlands and Lebanon, and I have a wide experience in managing projects in the MENA region (Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Oman, KSA, Jordan) and in Bhutan. My main interest lies in integrated urban and environmental development, including topics such as sustainability transition, good local governance, spatial and social development, the SDGs, climate change response and water policies reform.

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.

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.

Judy Baker

Based in United States

Judy Baker is currently a Senior Advisor with Cities Alliance, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Advisory Council Member on Latin America at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and International Consultant working on urban development issues. Until 2023 she was a Global Lead and Lead Economist at the World Bank in the Global Practice for Urban, Resilience and Land. Throughout her 30-year career at the World Bank she was responsible for leading policy dialogue, project management, and analytical work, particularly in East Asia, Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. This work has spanned engagements in over 30 countries and covered topics related to sustainable urbanization and its impacts, affordable housing, service delivery, climate change, local governance, economic development, urban poverty, and monitoring and evaluation. She has led several communities of practice with outreach to global partners from many organizations. She has published six books, as well as produced numerous country and regional reports for the World Bank. She has also been an invited speaker at many international events and guest lecturer at numerous universities. As a mentor, Judy brings extensive experience in recruiting and leading teams, deep analytics and policy guidance on a wide range of urban development issues in many different types of cities, project design, problem solving, partnership building, and career guidance.

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.

Clinton Moore

UNDP Asia-Pacific - Urban Governance Specialist

Based in Thailand

I'm now leading a new flagship initiative - UNDP's Future-Ready Urban Governance training programme, working closely with 10 cities across Asia-Pacific. I am also a recognised expert on secondary cities strategy and urban governance, and am working on a book and projects on supporting secondary city development across Asia-Pacific. As a mentor I bring honest insights into the urban field in Asia-Pacific - how to build a career here, and insights into urban regional trends. I bridge the personal and the professional in my sessions – what is your personality like? What kind of person are you? How are you tapping into that and being a better urban professional? How are you showing me impact and output in your communications?The below are sample questions I have helped others with on their journey:What does it take to make or break an urban career in the Asia-Pacific?Is the UN still a viable career path for an aspiring urban professional?How does one transfer from local government professional to the UN system and connect to other international opportunities?How do you deal with the frustrations of projects ending as an urban contractor or consultant?How does one balance being a 'generalist' and finding a niche?What's it like to work on reinvigorating UNDP's urban programming?Anyway - more about me I guess? I am Australian and based in Southeast Asia with UNDP's Bangkok Regional Hub, where I am UNDP's focal point for urban governance - doing the groundwork of connecting, leading, and making sure that UNDP's urban portfolios in Asia-Pacific are grounded in cutting-edge urban thinking and practice and strong partnerships. Previously, I worked with UN-Habitat and UN ESCAP in Bangkok, but the life of a UN consultant is often not as glamorous or rewarding as one assumes.Southeast Asia has become my home, and where my expertise has grown. I have a rare "street to strategy" perspective. Before Bangkok, I spent almost 10 years with City of Melbourne in Australia in direct community facing, planning, policy, strategy, and Councillor support roles. I loved this work. This gave me an excellent foundation in how to work across a complex community, organisation, and political system - including as an Assistant to now Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece.My journey is not linear. I have moved between local government, regional roles, and the United Nations. This diversity is a strength. This is also not by choice - contract and funding issues, and organisational re-shuffles have built my resilience - so if you need help trying to navigate change and an international career, contact me!

LAURELINE LHUILLIER

Based in France

I am an architect and urban planner specialized in urban resilience, climate adaptation, and water governance, with over ten years of professional experience across Latin America and Europe. My work lies at the intersection of urban planning, architecture, public policy, and applied research, with a strong focus on how cities can respond to climate and social challenges in systemic, inclusive, and realistic ways. I have worked extensively in Mexico—including Monterrey, Mexico City, and the Caribbean region—on metropolitan resilience strategies, water-related urban systems, and climate-vulnerable territories. These contexts, shaped by water scarcity, flooding, rapid urbanization, and institutional complexity, have deeply influenced my understanding of cities as living systems. Collaborating with local governments, planning agencies, international organizations, and community actors has given me first-hand insight into how urban visions are negotiated, implemented, and constrained in practice. Alongside this, I have contributed to projects and research initiatives in France, Spain, and Ecuador, focusing on resilience frameworks, nature-based solutions, and territorial adaptation. Working across diverse geographies has strengthened my ability to connect scales, disciplines, and stakeholders, while keeping social equity and long-term impact at the center of planning processes. As a mentor, I offer a practice-based, honest, and non-linear perspective on building a career in urban planning. My own trajectory has been shaped by international mobility, interdisciplinary work, uncertainty, and professional reinvention. I support early-career urban planners in clarifying their professional positioning, navigating complex institutional environments, and transforming strong values into coherent and sustainable career paths.

Otto-Zimmermann Konrad

Based in Germany

KONRAD OTTO-ZIMMERMANN EDUCATION Diploma in Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.), Architecture and Urban Planning, Technical University of Hannover, Germany Magister (MA), Administrative Sciences, University of Administrative Sciences, Speyer PROFESSIONAL CAREER • Creative Director, The Urban Idea, Freiburg/ Germany • Founding Director, ICLEI East Asia Secretariat, Seoul/ South Korea • Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, World Secretariat, Toronto, Canada / Bonn, Germany • Deputy Secretary General and Regional Director for Europe, ICLEI, Freiburg/ Germany • Head, Environmental Planning Division, City of Freiburg, Germany • Project Director, ‘Black Forest’ Environmental Project, Stuttgart/ Germany • Division Head “Environmental Planning”, German Federal Environmental Agency, Berlin/ Germany INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS CONCEIVED, DESIGNED, INITIATED AND LED • Ecological building and construction • Environmental impact assessment at local level • Green public procurement • Local Agenda 21 in Europe • Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Europe • Resilient Cities (urban resilience and cities’ adaptation to climate change) • EcoBudget (local, natural resources management) • EcoMobility (integrated promotion of walking-cycling-wheeling-‘passenging’) • Fine Mobility (German: Feinmobilität), promotion of mobility on foot and with vehicles in the range between shoe and car EXPERIENCES • Initiating, founding and building organizations (esp. NGOs) • Managing organizations including (re-)structuring, HR and financial management • Building partnerships and alliances between national and international organizations • Conceiving, conceptualizing and initiating programs with national or international impact • Developing and positioning innovative concepts, methodologies and brands • Motivational speeches • Teaching professionals

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.

Betty Chemier

Director at ReURBE

Based in Panama

Hi, I’m Betty—a self-made urban professional from Panama City. I started the journey that led me here because there was no park in my neighborhood, so I decided to build one. Together with my neighbors, we planned it, raised funds, and built and planted the park we had been dreaming of. That was my first real experience with participatory planning, co-design, and tactical urbanism (I only learned those terms after we finished). That project changed my life. I leaned into learning—taking courses with Gehl, Project for Public Spaces, and participating in design charrettes at Harvard—then came back home and founded a social enterprise, ReURBE. With my team, I’ve led projects across the country focused on creating more livable, inclusive, and meaningful places. Later, I joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs network, where for three years I helped test and scale practical solutions for challenges that shape our cities—disaster risk reduction, circular economy, waste management, and more—using systems thinking, experimentation, and a “learn fast” mindset. I’m now back in my own practice with ReURBE, working with clients on projects that mix place activation with sustainability strategy—turning big goals into real-world pilots, partnerships, and measurable impact for the territories and people they serve. If you’re a young professional who wants a mentor to help you navigate participatory processes, design projects with communities, structure experiments, or bridge urban practice with sustainability and systems thinking, I’d love to support your growth.

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.

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.

Andrey Perminov

Urban Planning Consultant

Based in Spain

Andrey Perminov — Urban Development Strategist, Project Director, and PMO Leader Urban development and spatial strategy professional with 12 years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects spanning master planning, real estate advisory, investment strategy, and urban regeneration across Europe and the Middle East. Currently based in Madrid, Andrey has built his career at the intersection of urban planning, business strategy, and investment — helping cities and developers move from concept to implementation. His project portfolio includes a master plan in MENA region that secured over $1 billion in investment, an adaptive reuse strategy that attracted $250 million in private capital, and urban improvement programmes that impacted over 300 cities. Before moving to Spain, he spent seven years at two leading urban consultancies, progressing from analyst to Project Director and Head of International Business Development. In these roles, he led cross-functional teams of up to 20 professionals, managed relationships with government bodies, municipalities, and private investors, and built evidence-based methodologies for spatial development that were adopted at the national level. He also tripled the international competition conversion rate through a more strategic approach to global tenders and partnerships. His academic background bridges urban planning with economics and business: an MBArch from IE University in Madrid (Dean's List, Best Student Award), an MSc in Regional and Urban Planning from LSE, an MSc in Economics from the University of Amsterdam, and a BSc in Economics and Finance from the University of London. Having studied and worked across five countries — Russia, the UK, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Spain — Andrey understands firsthand the challenges of building an international career in urban planning: navigating unfamiliar job markets, adapting professional positioning across cultures, and finding the right niche in a rapidly evolving field. He is fluent in English, speaks Spanish, and is a native Russian speaker. As a mentor, he offers practical guidance in several areas that are often underrepresented in traditional urban planning education: - The business of cities — how to think about urban projects not only through the lens of design quality but also through investment logic, stakeholder alignment, and delivery feasibility. - International career strategy — how to position yourself for roles outside your home country and navigate the practical realities of relocation and cross-cultural teamwork. - From analysis to leadership — how to transition from technical or analytical roles into project leadership and management, including building and running teams, managing client relationships, and setting up effective project delivery processes. - Strategic consulting in urban development — how to structure and sell urban strategy projects, work with public and private clients, and deliver at the intersection of planning, economics, and policy. Andrey is particularly keen to support early- and mid-career urbanists who are exploring international opportunities, considering a pivot toward the strategic or business side of urban development, or looking for guidance on how to make their expertise more impactful and marketable in a global context.

Joann Johani

Vice President, Sector & Enabler Development

Based in Malaysia

I am a strategic planning and urban development professional with over 15 years of experience in delivering large-scale, infrastructure-led economic development projects, particularly within the energy and industrial sectors. My work sits at the intersection of planning, policy, and investment, with a strong focus on translating long-term strategies into implementable outcomes within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. A significant part of my career has been shaped by my involvement in the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC), one of Southeast Asia’s largest energy / downstream oil and gas developments. I was involved from the early stages of conceptual planning during my time with the Johor State Economic Planning Unit and later continued this journey within Johor Petroleum Development Corporation (JPDC), where I contributed to the development, coordination and execution of key planning frameworks, including the PIPC Master Plan 2.0 and PIPC Strategic Plan. My role extended beyond technical planning. I was deeply involved in stakeholder coordination, land acquisition strategy, and community resettlement planning areas that required not only technical understanding but also empathy, negotiation, and the ability to balance competing interests. These experiences shaped my perspective that development is never purely technical; it is inherently human, political, and often imperfect. Over the years, I have worked across multiple dimensions of planning, including macroeconomic analysis, spatial planning, infrastructure and utilities strategy, housing and social infrastructure planning, as well as investment facilitation. This has given me a holistic understanding of how large-scale developments evolve from visioning and planning to execution and long-term positioning. Currently, I serve as Vice President, Sector & Enabler Development at the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), where I am involved in shaping sectoral strategies and enabling ecosystems within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that real-world planning rarely follows a linear path. While academic frameworks provide structure, the reality on the ground involves navigating institutional constraints, shifting policies, market volatility, and diverse stakeholder expectations. Often, the biggest challenges are not technical but relational. Aligning different agencies, managing expectations, and building trust can be far more complex than developing the plan itself. As a mentor, I aim to bridge this gap between theory and practice. I am particularly passionate about supporting young professionals and early-career practitioners in understanding how planning concepts translate into real-world decision-making. I can offer guidance in areas such as urban and regional planning, economic development strategy, infrastructure planning, stakeholder management, and navigating large, multi-agency environments. I also recognise that career journeys are rarely straightforward. I have experienced transitions, institutional changes, and moments of uncertainty including navigating organisational restructuring and shifts in mandate. These experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying grounded in one’s core skills and values. As a mentor, I am open to sharing these experiences honestly to help others better prepare for the realities of professional life. Beyond technical guidance, I see mentorship as a space for reflection and growth. I aim to create an environment where mentees feel comfortable asking questions, exploring different perspectives, and building confidence in their own voice. I believe that good mentorship is not about providing all the answers but about helping others think critically, make informed decisions, and develop their own approach to challenges. I am particularly interested in mentoring individuals who are navigating careers in planning, development, sustainability, and economic policy, especially those who aspire to work on large-scale or transformative projects. I also welcome mentees who are still exploring their direction, as I believe early exposure to real-world insights can be incredibly valuable. Ultimately, my goal as a mentor is to support others in becoming not only competent professionals but also thoughtful practitioners, individuals who understand the broader impact of their work and who are able to navigate complexity with both technical skill and human sensitivity.