Autonomous e-Mobility Forum

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His Excellency Jassim bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sulaiti was appointed Minister of Transport in October 2021. His Excellency the Minister of Transport holds a Masters of Military Science, France, 1997. He also has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. An advocate for sustainable development and technological advancement in Qatar and he is committed to implementing strategies and solutions for Qatar to reach its National Vision 2030.

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Samer is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the field of transport and strategic planning with a career spanning over 30 years. Mr. Gabar has made significant contributions to the development and improvement of transport systems on both local and international levels. Throughout his career, Mr. Gabar has demonstrated exceptional expertise in formulating strategic plans and policies that optimize transport networks, enhance efficiency, and promote sustainable practices.

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Sergio is Deputy Director and Chair of the Systems & Control Section of the Department of Electronics, Computer Sciences and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano. Sergio received Ph.D. in Systems and Control Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 1996. His main interests are in the areas of vehicle control, automotive systems, data analysis and system identification, non-linear control theory, and control applications, with a special focus on smart mobility.

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Steve is the CEO of Automotive Ventures. He received his MBA from Emory University - Goizueta Business School, USA, in 2004. Steve is the author of "The Future of Automotive Retail," and helps entrepreneurs raise growth capital and accelerate their businesses to deliver outsized returns to investors. His latest research focuses on vehicle production, evolving consumer expectations, vehicle ownership, vehicle power sources, autonomy, connectivity, and servicing of vehicles.

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Aditya is the VP & head of Automotive, Transportation & Logistics at Cognizant. He received his Executive Education from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, 2018. Recognized as a standout figure in the field, he earned a spot in The Consulting Report's esteemed list of the Top 25 Automotive Consultants and Leaders of 2023. His research focuses on our multi-faceted role in bringing exceptional vehicle experiences, autonomous mobility, and sustainable transportation to life.

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Walid is a Drone Consultant at SAMA TWAIQ. He received his Masters at the Hertie School Business Management, Germany, 2020. He identifies, creates and manages new business pipelines and opportunities in the Drone Business Industry. His research focus is on creative and solid drone administrations by utilizing the advances in automated equipment, refined LiDAR, and photogrammetric studying strategies, and robot information handling methods controlled by AI and computerized reasoning innovations.

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As the Vice President of Engineering at INDI EV, he has been at the forefront of driving transformative advancements in various cutting-edge technologies, including In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and Virtual Reality (VR) applications. He received his Master’s from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Engineering Mechanics in 2010. His research focuses on the future of mobility utilizing the vehicle computational power, technologies, applications, opportunities, and the road map.

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Siddhartha is the visionary founder and CEO of Pravaig Dynamics, an Electric Vehicle OEM producing for civilians and military as well as batteries and AI solutions. Pravaig is advocating for the restoration of the right to repair, the preservation of privacy rights, and, most significantly, the affirmation of ownership rights. Their vision is centered around empowering individuals with genuine control and ownership over their data, with the ultimate goal of democratizing AI for everyone. His focus is on regaining sovereignty over our personal data and preventing the exploitation of individuals.

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Simon is an expert on e-mobility and battery innovation and currently serves as the managing director of the E-Mobility Laboratory (eLab) as well as Head of E-Mobility Office of RWTH Aachen University. Simon holds an international BSc. double degree in Mechanical Engineering from TH Lübeck and MSOE University, Milwaukee, USA as well as a MSc. in Sustainable Energy Technology from Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands. Simon is striving to support the acceleration of e-mobility-development by providing a high-tech infrastructure and innovation network for R&D on the electric drivetrain.

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Yvonne serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of FlyNow Aviation. She possesses a Master's Degree in Business Management from the University of Applied Sciences Deggendorf in Germany. With nearly two decades of experience, Yvonne has an extensive background in working with various organizations and joint ventures. Her company is a significant contributor in the rapidly expanding sector of cargo and passenger air vehicle transportation, with a specific focus on the Middle East, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

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Thierry is the Global Digital & Innovation Lead at Ernst & Young. He holds master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Management Consultancy from Ghent University and Erasmus University, respectively, along with a postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance from KU Leuven. Serving as the EY Global Digital & Innovation Lead for Energy, Thierry plays a key role in assisting energy companies in developing new business models, growth strategies, and ecosystems, guiding them through the energy transition and beyond. He is a strong advocate for emerging technologies such as robotics, blockchain, AI, augmented and virtual reality, and IoT, considering them as the digital foundations for innovation. Recognizing the integral relationship between energy innovation and the electrification of transport, Thierry also leads EY's cross-sector, go-to-market solution for eMobility.

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John held many senior executive positions over the years and his last post was as President, International at ECARX, overseeing the company's international growth and customer expansion since February 2023. His prior role was as the Corporate Chief Technology and Product Officer at Joynext, focusing on global product development and delivery. He formerly served as VP of Engineering at Luxoft for global Automotive OEMs and as the Head of Engineering for the US region, managing a 2000-strong engineering team across various domains, including digital cockpits, autonomous driving, and data analytics. Before these roles, he was part of the Valeo Research and Development team in the Steering division, later becoming a Program Manager for notable clients like VW, Daimler, Tesla, and BMW. John also contributed to driving assistance technologies, specifically in sensor technology and fusion. Academically, John boasts a Bachelor's in Electronics , a Post-graduate diploma in Automotive software development, and has completed executive leadership programs at the Yale School of Management and an Executive MBA from ESMT Berlin.

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Benedikt Sperling-Zikesch, Chief Commercial Officer for TractEasy, a collaboration between ground support equipment manufacturer TLD and technology-provider EasyMile. With extensive experience in business development, Benedikt has successfully built teams, formed alliances, and entered new markets, particularly in the renewable energy and construction engineering sectors. His expertise extends to leading TractEasy's efforts in the autonomous towing solutions realm, notably with the globally deployed EZTow, the most advanced driverless tow-tractor in the market. Notably, under his guidance, TractEasy has made significant strides in revolutionizing airport ground handling operations, deploying the EZTow at prominent airports like Changi, Dallas Fort Worth, and Toulouse-Blagnac, showcasing a paradigm shift towards increased efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

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Mohamed Mezghani is the Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) since 2018. He has been working for more than 30 years in public transport and urban mobility related fields in different roles: knowledge manager and director, adviser and consultant as well as researcher. He has led many initiatives including advocacy activities, studies, technical assistance, training programmes and professional events in more than 70 countries on all continent, engaging with international organisations, government officials, mobility professionals and academia. He has been graduated in Industrial Engineering (1987) from Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Tunis, Tunisia and has a Master in Transport (1988) from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris, France.

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Abdellah Cherkaoui is the Co-founder and Chief Commercialization Officer of AquaLith Advanced Materials, Inc. Abdellah’s active role in the electrification of transport began in 2009. He is a member of the original founding teams that grew Volta Charging (acquired by Shell in 2023) and ChargePoint, two leading EV charging networks born and scaled out of Silicon Valley. Dr. Cherkaoui advised and partnered with global automakers and energy companies on mobility electrification. He also works with state and federal governments developing and advocating for effective policies to accelerate decarbonization. Abdellah is co-founder and several-term president of the Sacramento-based US EV Charging Association. Abdellah holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle and a master’s in engineering from the Rabat School of Mines in Morocco. Abdellah is a Fulbright Doctoral Fellow and a NASA International Fellow. AquaLith’s technology was recognized as UMD’s 2020 invention of the year.

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Adeel Irshad, COO at EV Technology, brings over 9 years of experience driving the electrification of transportation in the MENA/GCC region. Focused on advancing pure electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles (BEV), and cutting-edge charging solutions, he leverages a robust background in environmental sustainability and project management for business innovation. His notable achievement includes transforming SIIG into a sustainability-focused enterprise, pioneering the electric vehicle industry in the MENA region. Adeel actively contributes to the sector's growth by offering consulting, expertise, and coaching services, with a goal of creating a sustainable and green future.

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Jacob Ninan is the co-founder of Kottackal Business Solutions Private Ltd. a software product development firm. He has been consulting for the World Bank (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) mainly in the intersection of emerging technologies, socio-economic security and finance. Previously he was employed with eBay Europe's Products Services and Technology Team, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and various technology companies. He is an Engineer by training and a Nanyang Fellow from NTU Singapore. Their product GreenPoint is an interoperable software infrastructure platform connecting green fuel providers with mobility vehicles for air, land and sea applications.

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Ahmed Al Ansari, is a seasoned project management professional, who brings extensive expertise to the dynamic world of smart infrastructure and mobility. With a robust background in infrastructure, building, and plant engineering, Ahmed has successfully navigated complex developments throughout his career. His proficiency spans the entire project lifecycle, from planning, design, and procurement to construction, installations supervision, testing, commissioning, and facilities' operations and maintenance management. Ahmed's versatility is highlighted by his involvement in projects of varying sizes, showcasing his adeptness in both traditional project execution and smart city management. Beyond conventional project management, Ahmed actively contributes to innovation projects, demonstrating a commitment to innovation.

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Fawwaz Alhenn is an accomplished product leader who has led product development at Mapbox. His innovative approach has significantly enhanced the EV charging experience by integrating location intelligence into automotive systems. This has empowered EV drivers with seamless access to charging stations. Fawwaz has made substantial contributions to product development in the eMobility and automotive landscapes. Prior to his tenure in the US, he sharpened his expertise in technology consulting with Oracle and Accenture in the Middle East. Fawwaz is not only passionate about his professional pursuits but also an avid car enthusiast who enjoys driving on backroads and race tracks. He is committed to advancing the adoption of electric vehicles through innovative product design.

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Dr. Janina Gauder serves as Climate and Press Attaché at the German Embassy in Doha. Prior to this she was Deputy Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat and Deputy Head of Division for Climate Diplomacy at the Federal Foreign Office in Germany. Janina is focused on Climate Foreign Policy and is fostering diplomatic engagement and dialogue in the areas of climate, environment and related global initiatives.

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Ahmad AlBinAli is the Director of Public Transport at Mowasalat, Qatar's national transport company. He is a key figure in the introduction of autonomous buses, which are revolutionizing public transport in Qatar. As the director, he is committed to advancing the country's ecological agenda and shaping a new era of transportation in Qatar.

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Serving as Professor and Chair of the Department of AOT at the Technical University of Berlin, Dr. Albayrak also holds the position of Managing Director at the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (DAI-Labor) of TU Berlin, recognized as Germany's inaugural research institution dedicated to DAI, employing over 100 experts. As the Founder and Chairman of the Center for Tangible AI and Digitalization (Zentrum für erlebbare Künstliche Intelligenz und Digitalisierung ZEKI) he adeptly convenes the world's foremost AI decision-makers at TU Berlin. Prof. Albayraks research interests encompass Distributed AI, machine learning, autonomous systems (including autonomous driving and autonomous assistants), conversational assistance, smart cities, smart infrastructure, smart grids, predictive and preventive cybersecurity, and health.

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Veronica Yu serves as the project manager and advisor on a range of special projects assigned by the office of the Minister of Transport, including autonomous vehicles strategy, emerging technology and smart mobility. With over 20 years of international urban development and transportation projects, she is a Chartered Member of the UK’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Chairlady of the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Qatar Group.

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PhD, is currently employed at Yutong Bus Co., Ltd. as the Section Chief of Intelligent Driving Technology. He focuses on the development and application of assisted driving and autonomous driving technologies.

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Dr. Awni Al Otoom is the Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. With over 43 pulications to his name and a background in Energy Engineering and Renewable Energy Technologies, Dr. Al Otoom has dedicated his career to advancing engineering education. Dr. Al Otoom is known for his research in Renewable Energy and Energy Saving strategies.

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Michael has over 18 years of experience in sustainability and climate-related disciplines. His expertise spans various areas, including decarbonization, climate resilience, energy, natural capital, and financial services. Michael has worked extensively across sectors such as energy and resources, industrials, infrastructure, and finance. His commitment to sustainability and climate resilience continues to drive meaningful change in the industry.

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Faisal Sultan is the Vice President and Managing Director of Lucid Middle East. In this role, he oversees strategy for Middle East expansion and operations, sets comprehensive goals for the company’s performance and growth, establishes policies that promote company culture and vision, and manages relationships with key partners. Faisal is focused on driving results by empowering and building a high-performance team. He is a collaborative team player who is committed to helping team members succeed and reach their potential by supporting their growth and development and engaging them to keep them informed on the company’s progress and development in the region. Prior to joining Lucid Motors, Faisal served as Senior Director, Automotive for Industrial Clusters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources. During his time there, he led the team that developed and implemented the Automotive Development Policy for the Kingdom’s localization of automotive manufacturing, supply chain development, and human resource capabilities. Faisal has 23 years of combined automotive experience with Lucid, Industrial Clusters, FCA, Magna, Ford, and GM, where he held leadership positions spanning industrial development, manufacturing, operations, engineering, and program management. He also has global experience stretching across North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Faisal holds a M.B.A. from New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Automotive Engineering from Lawrence Technological University.

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Elias R. Chedid, the COO and Deputy CEO of Seib Insurance and Reinsurance Company LLC. He has over 30 years of extensive experience in the insurance industry and has demonstrated a strong ability to lead successful change initiatives across various markets. Elias began his insurance career in the UK before expanding to encompass regions such as Lebanon, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the rest of the Gulf. Elias holds a Master's degree in Leadership Innovation and Change from York St John University. Additionally, he is a graduate in Mathematics from the American University of Beirut.

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Saleh has been working in the QCAA for eighteen years, more than half of that as an air traffic controller. He has vast experience working as head of the Integrated Management System (IMS) section, which includes safety, security, quality, occupational health deal and aviation safety aspects. Saleh graduated in air traffic management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and holds a master’s degree in aviation safety management systems from ENAC University, France.

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Professor Dr Raja Mazuir Shah is an Associate Dean at the College of Engineering, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Qatar. Dr Mazuir has worked in academia and industry research settings in Automotive Engineering for more than 27 years, for example, Warwick University UK, Coventry University UK, Sakarya University Turkiye, Lotus Engineering UK, and Arrival Limited UK. Dr. Mazuir has also collaborated with external stakeholders such as Jaguar Land Rover UK, Aston Martin Lagonda UK, and Bladon Jets UK to develop innovative solutions for efficient propulsions and energy management systems. Dr. Mazuir is currently working on several mobility research projects to develop a sustainable and renewable propulsion systems, a novel lithium-ion battery thermal management system for energy and thermal optimization, a sustainable mobility system, and advanced sustainable mobility design and testing facilities

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Kai Keller leads regional strategy and partnerships at the World Economic Forum. He works with business leaders across the Middle East and Africa helping companies prepare for transformational, technology-enabled change informing leadership decisions. He previously led the Forum’s work on the Future of Financial Services in China out of Beijing. Before moving to Beijing, he was based in the Forum’s New York office where he focused on the role of customer data as well as cyber security in Financial Services. He is a contributor to WIRED and CNN Business. Kai holds a B.A. in Politics and Economics from Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and a M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University (Medford, MA).

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Marcello Contestabile is Chief Economist at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) – where he leads the Economics and Policy Programme – Adjunct Professor at the College of Public Policy, Hamad bin Khalifa University, and Visiting Fellow at Imperial College London. Over the last 20 years he has specialised in techno-economic and policy analysis of low-carbon technologies, particularly with emphasis on road transport, working at the interface between research, government and industry. Marcello has a Masters and PhD in Energy Policy and Technology from Imperial College London, where he served as a Research Fellow and held multiple research grants. Prior to moving to Qatar, Marcello worked as a Research Fellow at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and as a Managing Consultant at specialist energy-environmental strategy firm E4tech in London. In his current role at QEERI he has been awarded funding to develop the first energy systems model of Qatar for energy-environmental policy analysis, a tool used by governments to inform their climate change policy. Marcello’s research currently focuses on assessing long-term GHG emissions mitigation pathways for Qatar and the development of a national cleantech innovation ecosystem.

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Dr. Kenza Maher is a Scientist at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) since January 2015. With over 13 years of experience in the battery energy storage R&D field, Dr. Maher has made significant contributions to the development of safe and reliable materials for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. Her research interests also encompass the advancement of diagnostic strategies and protocols to validate the performance and reliability of battery systems, cells, and materials. Before joining QEERI, Dr. Maher worked as a Research Fellow and Project Leader at the Joint Future Mobility Research Lab, collaborating with the BMW Group and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. During this time, her focus was on safety evaluation and diagnostics of BMW electric car batteries, with the aim of mitigating the risks associated with thermal runaway. Dr. Maher completed her Ph.D. at Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco in January 2011. Her doctoral research centered around the development of new phosphate and oxide materials for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

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Mohamed Jaidah is the Group Executive Director of Jaidah Group, where he oversees the strategic direction and management of its diverse portfolio of operations across key sectors of Qatar’s economy. He boasts over 17 years in leadership roles managing teams of up to thousands of employees, thought Leadership around running a business, incremental revenue, growth strategies and inspiring teams.

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Gema Ferrero Rubiera is Managing Director at NextNorth, a technology-based short-distance aviation company dedicated to connect people and places in a quicker and more convenient manner, preparing the transition to Urban Air Mobility with eVTOLs. Gema also held the role of Managing Director at Bluenest, a company that designs and operates Vertiports’ networks, the infrastructure for Urban Air Mobility operations. Prior to that, she also worked for Ernst and Young, leading technological projects for multinational companies at C-level across the US, UK and Spain. Gema is an Industrial Engineering and she's also a certified Air Traffic Controller.

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Ahmed Samer is a Sustainability Market Leader at Bureau Veritas, helping clients across various sectors achieve their net-zero goals and improve their sustainability performance. He provides services such as sustainability maturity assessments, carbon footprint independent inventory, measurement and verification, regulatory compliance verification, and offsets verification. Ahmed holds an MBA in Sustainable Mobility Management from Technische Universität Berlin and has recently completed a course on Sustainable Finance at the University of Oxford. He has consulted over 25 cleantech companies on market entry to the MENA region, resulting in over eight partnerships and deals. Ahmed has co-authored over eight publications and several articles on clean energy technology and policy and is a LinkedIn Top Voice Green MENA 2022. He has also spoken and moderated at over 80 international and regional conferences on clean energy topics, such as AEE World, WFES, COP26/27, etc.

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Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham (UK), 2002. Thermofluids, CFD, Experimental Fluid Mechanics and Flow Visualization, Biomedical Engineering, Airflow Studies, and CSF flow

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Eman Al Kuwari, the Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar, is driving digital innovation. Her role extends beyond traditional technology and digital transformation, focusing on fostering a culture where innovation enhances effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity in all aspects of life. Leading Qatar’s largest digital transformation program, TASMU Smart Qatar, she connects people from various backgrounds and sectors, creating a collaborative ecosystem where innovation is seamlessly integrated into daily life. She actively promotes the enablement of entrepreneurs, building capacity within government, and developing centers of excellence in the fields of AI, UX/UI, and beyond, solidifying her role as a catalyst for a cultural shift that unites Qatar through the power of innovation.

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Spanish leader in the design and development of advanced electric mobility solutions which are efficient, safe and sustainable. Manuel is global automotive & aerospace executive with over 20 years experience in engineering, operations, program and general management. He has worked in UK, Germany, Spain, France and Poland. He will oversee strategy and ensure Crisalion Mobility delivers on its corporate goals, identifying the resources needed to implement the company’s ambitious roadmap and assuming overall responsibility for the various business and market segments. Heredia holds a Degree in Industrial Engineering from Seville University, a PhD from the University of Sheffield and an MBA from HEC Paris Business School. He brings two decades of international experience to the table, having held executive positions at leading companies in the industry and played a key role in implementing innovative solutions. Since 2004, Andalusia-born Heredia has held various roles at Airbus Defence & Space, the defence division of Airbus Group, including CEO of Airbus Poland and Vice-President of Operations for the A400M military transport aircraft, and has been actively involved in various projects in the aeronautical sector related to training and new technologies.

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Shimaa Al-Quradaghi, the Director of Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center at College of Engineering, Qatar University, is leading the first research center in transportation and safety. The center serves as the base for a diverse and talented community of faculty, researchers and students who are working in pioneering and cutting-edge researches. With her expertise, Shimaa blends Sustainability into the research contributing to more sustainable and safer transportation system. Shimaa holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering, focusing on Sustainable Development, from University of Central Florida, USA.

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Gabriel Sallah stands at the forefront of Microsoft’s innovative drive in the realm of autonomous technology solutions, holding the esteemed title of Autonomous Driving Solutions Lead. Within the EMEA sector, he is lauded as a Global Black Belt, a testament to his profound acumen in spearheading Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) initiatives. His collaborative efforts with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers globally are pivotal in propelling the industry towards a future where autonomous driving is not just a concept, but a tangible reality , tested , validated by using the Microsoft Azure Cloud. His domain extends beyond the immediate scope of autonomous vehicles, delving into the intricate world of high-performance computing (HPC), Big data and AI services on Azure . He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Masters in Computer Aided Engineering from Heriot-Watt and Napier Universities in Edinburgh , Scotland.

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Ralf-Peter Schaefer is responsible for the global product portfolio the Traffic and Travel Information for the Consumer, Automotive and Enterprise business. This includes products and navigation services in the domain of Live and historical Traffic, safety cams, parking, fuel prices, weather and other dynamic services like Traffic Analytics and Traffic Management. He is 17 years part of TomTom and held different leadership positions in Research, Engineering and Product Management. Ralf-Peter Schaefer has 20 years’ experience in research and development of content and products enabling car-centric traffic sensing and service delivery using probe vehicle data. With his team he developed various applications for dynamic navigation, Traffic Analytics and Traffic Management. He is also responsible for the annual Congestion Index launch where TomTom provides congestion benchmarks for nearly 400 global cities.

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Professor Ebead is a highly experienced structural engineering educator with over 20 years of industry and academic experience. His expertise lies in the areas of structural strengthening, rehabilitation, and the use of sustainable materials. He is deeply committed to advancing educational methodologies and promoting project-based learning. Professor Ebead advocates for preparing students for real-world challenges, promoting active learning environments, and integrating practical projects into the curriculum. He has published extensively on these subjects, sharing valuable insights into effective learning strategies and the impact of project-based learning on student readiness and success. Professor Ebead's dedication to education and research is also evident in his leadership in establishing international collaborations and pushing the boundaries of structural engineering research to address global priorities.

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Saoud Ahmed Al-Hail: A dedicated equipment maintenance manager with a proven track record of ensuring optimal functionality and reliability of industrial machinery. With strong leadership skills, technical expertise in operation, maintenance and project management of offshore platforms, cranes, and equipment maintenance. He brings more than 13 years of experience in different sectors including oil and gas, aviation, and port industries.

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Frank is an International Business and Economics scholar with extensive experience focusing on research methodology, organizational strategy, operational infrastructure, and complex strategic partnerships. Until 2020, Frank has served as faculty member at a leading national university in Qatar, where he conducted research and taught Logistics and Supply Chain Management with an emphasis on the global transportation industry. Frank has authored and co-authored numerous reference books, and published multiple academic research papers and opinion pieces. He received his doctoral and post-doctoral degrees from the University of Mainz, Germany.

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Ramprasad Satyam, the Siemens Senior Vice President of Electrification and Automation in Qatar, is a driving force in the rapidly evolving energy landscape. With three decades of industry experience, Ramprasad brings a wealth of competencies, spanning from his electrical engineering background to his specialty in smart grid solutions and e-mobility charging infrastructure. Ramprasad has been actively contributing to driving innovative and sustainable solutions in Qatar. Blending his practical knowledge with a keen strategic vision, he is constantly working to shape the future of smart infrastructure, through smart grid technologies and electric vehicle integration. Ramprasad has continuously demonstrated an extensive understanding of the complex challenges that modern energy systems are facing and the rapidly changing energy landscape.

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Mr. Bader has a bachelor degree in political science, a master’s degree from HEC Paris in strategic business management and is currently perusing his CFA charter in which he already completed level 1. Mr. Bader manages a diverse portfolio of FDI investors operating in Qatar Free Zones. He is also responsible for ensuring smooth business operations for investors at QFZ by working closely with external stakeholders such as Customs Authority, MoPH, MOCI to ensure policies and processes are in place and suitable for the diverse investors in the free zones.

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Mohammed Al-Bader is current the Head of Clean and Sustainable Practices Section of the Climate Change Department and The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. He studies Geography and Urban Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia USA. Has been part of the climate change department since 2016.

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Denis Heckmann is the Managing Director for the Middle East region at FEV Consulting, a renowned global management consultancy specializing in the automotive, mobility and energy sectors. His focus is on future mobility, specifically connected, automated and electric vehicles and their related technologies, as well as advanced air mobility. He has worked for clients in both the private and public sectors across the Middle East, Europe, Americas and Asia. Throughout his career, he has supported clients in defining impactful strategies, as well as developing technology concepts and facilitating their implementation to turn ideas into reality. He earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering and business administration from the RWTH Aachen University in Germany. Denis actively contributes as a thought leader within the mobility industry by regularly publishing papers and articles and attending conferences.

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Bachi Spiga is the Head of Operations, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa. He oversees the Operational Performance and infrastructure in the region across 19 markets, including the Aviation, Middle East Road Network and the 2 regional Distribution Centres of Dubai And Bahrain Having joined DHL Express more than 30 years ago, Bachi is a veteran of the industry and has worked in Italy, UK, as well as many assignments in other parts of Europe. During his time Bachi has overseen the expansion of the air and road networks as well as the rapid expansion of our footprint in the Middle east over the last 23 years, along with market leading performance and service enhancements, the Regional Hubs in Dubai and Bahrain (DHL regional head office), commercial air partnerships and customer Services at various times during his tenure. Prior to this, he was the Country Services Manager for DHL International UAE for 3 years. He was also involved in other various managerial roles including Customer Service Manager for the Middle East, General Manager in East Midlands UK and Hub and gateway Manager in Italy. Bachi is dual British and Italian national and is married with 3 children. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing football and Skiing.

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Sophie is an entrepreneur, LEANSTACK-Certified Trainer, and Coach. She designs and delivers startup programs for Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) Business Incubation and Acceleration department. She is handling the Mobility Incubator (in partnership with Q-Auto) and Digital and Beyond Incubator (in partnership with Ooredoo). The Mobility Incubator, founded in 2023, aims to serve as a launchpad for early-stage mobility ventures. The Incubator is looking for startups innovatively addressing challenges in Electrification, V2V Communication, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and the Digitization of Mobility. Startups receive support through funding, training, coaching, and networking opportunities among many others.

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Anas Mohammad is a transportation engineering leader with over 20 years of experience. His expertise lies in crafting complex projects, transportation models, and traffic impact studies. Public transport systems, traffic engineering design, and developing regulations for Qatar's transportation systems are all within his wheelhouse. Anas currently works at the Ministry of Transport in Qatar, having previously held positions at Hyder Consulting Middle East and Gulf Engineering House. He holds a master's degree in Transportation Engineering and is pursuing his Ph.D. at Qatar University. His published works solidify his deep knowledge of the field. Notably, Anas played a key role in developing the National Transport Master Plan for Qatar (TMPQ), a project that established a long-term vision for the country's transportation infrastructure with a focus on sustainability. He integrates sustainable practices into his TMPs, ensuring they address traffic flow and congestion while prioritizing environmental considerations and encouraging eco-friendly transportation modes.

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Raimund Hanauer, Director of Transport Planning at Qatar Rail, is a Railway Transportation executive with a profound expertise in transportation planning and knowledge about all relevant disciplines that form a Railway System. Raimund has adopted an Interdisciplinary approach on international large-scale projects. At Qatar Rail, his focus areas are major event planning, transportation planning and simulations, traffic impact studies, with particular emphasis on last mile development and connectivity for Doha Metro and Lusail Tram.

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