Building Sustainable Futures: The Power of Public-Private Collaborations
September 25 – 28, 2024. | Šibenik, Croatia
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Jaan Saar
Chief Evangelist at Future Insight GrouprnrnKeynote talk: “Automating Building Permitting – the “Killer App” for BIM”rnrnJaan Saar, based in Tallinn, Harju County, EE, is currently a Chief Evangelist at Future Insight Group, bringing experience from previous roles at EU BIM Task Group and buildingSMART International. Jaan Saar holds a 2000 – 2004 Bachelor of Business Administration – BBA at Estonian Business School. With a robust skill set that includes Team Leadership, Business Strategy, Strategic Planning, Entrepreneurship, Change Management and more, Jaan Saar contributes valuable insights to the industry. Jaan Saar has 5 emails on RocketReach.
Patrick Wirz
Strategic Coordinator for Project Information Systems at TenneT TSO GmbHrnrnKeynote talk: “Driving the Energy Change: SuedLink and Other Major Projects”rnrnPatrick Wirz is Strategic Coordinator for Project Information Systems at TenneT TSO GmbH, one of the four transmission system operators in Germany. In the Project Governance department, he is responsible for the strategic development of the project information architecture in the company’s asset chain.rnIn line with the complexity of his tasks, Patrick Wirz attaches great importance to his multidisciplinary approach. During his professional career, he has already worked in the area of personnel and management development and was responsible for a multinational SAP education project ‘ESEFA – Enterprise Systems Education for Africa’ as project manager.
Badr Burshaid
President of Global Project Management ForumrnrnKeynote talk: “Saudi Vision 2030 Transforming People, Industry, and Country through Project Management”rnrnMr. Burshaid is a highly accomplished executive with extensive experience in strategy, programs, and project management. This comprehensive effort was launched as part of the broader Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to promote economic diversification and social and cultural reforms in the country. He also leads the PMI-KSA Chapter, the PMO Global Alliance Saudi Hub, and is a member of the PMI Global Executive Council. At Saudi Aramco, he directed mega-programs and implemented state-of-the-art project management solutions. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, and he is passionate about driving change and growth.
Ghassan Aouad
Chancellor of Abu Dhabi Universityu2028rnrnKeynote talk: “The future of the built environment through Scenario Planning”rnrnProfessor Aouad is the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University. Before joining ADU in late January 2023, Professor Aouad served as President of Applied Science University in Bahrain for over eight years. He spent five years in the Department of Civil and Building Engineering of Loughborough University in the UK, where he obtained his MSc in Construction (1987) and his PhD entitled Integrated Planning Systems for the Construction Industry (1991). In 1992, Professor Aouad joined the University of Salford as a Research Fellow and progressed through to the role of Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Dean of the College of Science & Technology before he left in December 2011. During that time, he successfully supervised 24 PhD students, externally examined 52 PhD students, authored 3 major research books and co-authored one book, generated more than £10M in research funding as Principal Investigator and £8M as Co-Investigator, published 92 papers in top rated refereed journals, delivered more than 50 keynote speeches and invited lectures, and presented his work in more than 42 countries. Prof Aouad moved on to broaden the geographical reach of his academic leadership by serving as the President of the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST) based in Kuwait. Furthermore, Prof Aouad served as President and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). In July 2016, Professor Aouad received an Honorary Doctor of Technology from Loughborough University in the UK. Professor Aouad is also a member of the Advance HE Leadership and Management Strategic Advisory Group. In addition, he is a Fellow of Advance HE and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building.
Meet our speakers
Elsa Paasilinna
Sustainability in the Digital Era: How Technology is Transforming ProjectsrnrnElsa Paasilinna is a leader in sustainable project management and digital transformation. She has played a significant role in leveraging technology to enhance project outcomes and create long-term sustainability. With a background in consulting, Elsa has worked with major international organizations to optimize their digital infrastructure for better project delivery.
Milla Ranta
Engaging Stakeholders through Sustainable Development InitiativesrnrnMilla Ranta is a professional in sustainable development and stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on creating solutions that serve end-users while utilizing open data standards. Milla’s expertise lies in finding scalable, web-based technologies that simplify complex issues, ensuring that projects are efficient and user-centered.
Orestis Trasanidis
AI and the Future of Sustainable InnovationrnrnOrestis Trasanidis is the Silicon Valley Director and AI Leader for EIT Digital, with extensive experience in managing innovation projects. His expertise includes sustainable open innovation ecosystems, decision-making, and smart cities. As the Managing Director of the EIT Hub in Silicon Valley, he bridges transatlantic synergies between the US and EU, focusing on AI initiatives and policy development.
Robert Joslin
Rethinking Sustainability: How PMOs Will Lead the Way Beyond ProjectsrnrnDr. Robert Joslin, CEng, is a management consultant, instructor, and founder of the Association of International Project Management Officers (AIPMO). He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Alma Mater ECM and previously held a professorship at SBS Swiss Business School. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Joslin specializes in designing and managing international programs for large-scale organizational transformation and strategic planning. He has developed hundreds of PMOs and authored several books and research papers on PMO management.
Sergio Vanoli
Best Practice of Italy telecommunication project under Chinese-Italy project managementrnrnSergio Vanoli is a renowned expert in project management and innovation, known for his thought leadership in driving leadership excellence across organizations. He has been actively involved in global projects and strategic transformations that reshape industries, positioning himself as a key figure in helping businesses thrive in complex environments.
Yanzi Shen
Innovating Project Management through Emerging TechnologiesrnrnYanzi Shen serves as a division chief of the International Business Department at China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, China’s largest engineering consulting firm. Ms. Shen has demonstrated her ability to manage the diverse requirements of various stakeholders in large-scale projects across the project life cycle. Her experience encompasses project planning, investment and financing strategies, feasibility study consulting, ESG consulting, design review, and project and corporate management advisory.
Huang Dechun
Water Resources and Ecological Management in Strategic InvestmentrnrnProf. Huang Dechun is a professor and director at the Business School of Hohai University in Nanjing, China. He serves as the Executive Dean of the World Water Valley Institute and is a renowned expert in industrial investment, strategic planning, resource management, and risk management. He has led over 100 international projects and is recognized for his research in water security and green development strategies. Prof. Huang has published over 100 papers and supervised numerous doctoral students, contributing significantly to the fields of economics and environmental management.u2028This lineup offers a comprehensive view of cutting-edge trends and insights in project management, sustainability, and digital innovation. Be sure to join these experts and many more in Šibenik this September!