Speakers

Dr. Yousef Alhorr is an energy expert, environmentalist and inventor known for his work in the field of sustainable built environment and climate actions. He is the founder of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development and adviser for sustainable delivery and legacy of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Dr. Alhorr led the development of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) – MENA’s first performance-based green buildings system for assessing buildings and infrastructure projects. He established Global Carbon Council – MENA’s first and one of the eight international voluntary carbon offsetting programs approved by ICAO’s CORSIA and ICROA. He is the president of the Green Building Committee (TC6-SC1) at the GCC Standardization Organization. Dr. Alhorr led the research and development of innovative energy-efficient solutions, including the hybrid ultra-efficient patented cooling technology for fresh air, that earned him the award for AEE’s Energy Innovator of the Year 2022. 

Zaki Mohammed is a progressive Sustainability professional who is also the recipient for Energy Manager of the year Middle East (AEE), for his contribution in Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization strategies across MENA region and beyond. As Director of Sustainability Advisory, at Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), Zaki plays a pivotal role in bringing advanced sustainability solutions to the built environment including ESCO model approach and developing technical tools and manuals for Carbon neutrality & GHG Emissions reduction. In addition to instructing thousands of individuals in Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency, Zaki also serves as a trainer for the AEE's Certified Energy Manager (CEM) course. He is also managing and supervising the assessment of sustainability in building services as a part of sustainability audits conducted to certify green buildings across the MENA region.

Aswin Madhusoodanan, a dedicated Sustainability Professional with over a decade of experience driving impactful sustainability initiatives & actions in GHG accounting, ESG reporting, and green building certifications. With a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Environmental Science, he blends technical acumen with unwavering dedication to create a greener, more resilient future. His expertise, validated by accreditations like Certified Energy Manager, ISO Lead Auditor, PMP, LEED AP BD+C, and GSAS CGP, underscores his commitment to sustainable practices. Aswin's proven track record and passion for sustainability make him a sought-after voice for driving positive change on a global scale.

Stephen is a highly experienced Chartered Engineer with over 25 years of expertise in the built environment. His extensive experience spans a wide array of sectors, including aviation, healthcare, commercial offices, hotels and leisure, education, science and technology, and residential projects. Presently Stephen leads the Building Services systems at the Hamad International Airport Expansion Projects. In this role, he collaborates closely with designers, contractors, PMCM teams, and Hamad International Airport’s stakeholders to ensure the seamless integration and execution of Building Services systems for the airport’s Major Projects.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and engineering excellence in Qatar, Stephen is committed to supporting the next generation of engineers. He actively participates in guiding aspiring engineers toward Chartered status and serves on the Chartered Engineer Interview Panel for the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in the Middle East.

Cynthia is a distinguished Interior Designer with over 14 years of experience in the aviation and commercial sectors. Her notable career includes the build of Hamad International Airport, ahead of the momentous launch in 2014, and the expansion projects, including the Central Concourse (ORCHARD) and the upcoming Concourses D&E.

As an Interior Design Specialist, Cynthia oversees all front-of-house and back-of-house interior finishes, FF&E, and wayfinding signage for Hamad International Airport expansion projects. She works closely with the airport’s stakeholders, the PMCM team, design consultants, and contractors to ensure the seamless integration and execution of interior elements. A firm believer in sustainable design, Cynthia has been instrumental in obtaining LEED and GSAS sustainability certifications for Hamad International Airport’s expansion projects.

Majdi Saadeddine is leading the domain experts’ team who is responsible for the development strategy of building intelligence platforms and the definition of technical and functional requirements for Para and other smart building solutions. As a Technical Operations Manager, he handles proposals and   project delivery for digital solutions and services. Majdi has experience in the design and/or implementation of instrumentation and control systems, data analytics and integration platforms for all types of projects (residential, healthcare, hospitality, mixed-use, educational, infrastructure, airports, industrial).

Salem Al-Awi is the Reliability Group Manager at Qatar Foundation. He has consistently led strategic initiatives, emphasizing global best practices and innovation. His leadership has been instrumental in reshaping organizational dynamics, optimizing contract strategies, and ensuring operational excellence across more than 100 facilities. Deeply committed to promoting sustainable practices, Salem has championed numerous green initiatives, reflecting his dedication to a sustainable future and emphasizing environmental performance. Salem holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas and an MBA from HEC Paris.

Oliver Moritz is an engineer with over two decades of experience in project management, particularly in large-scale construction and healthcare projects. He studied engineering in Germany before moving to Qatar, where he now works as a Project Manager at Naufar, a wellness and recovery center. In his role, Oliver collaborates with all stakeholders in order to improve Naufar’s  sustainability initiatives. His expertise and dedication contribute significantly to the ongoing success of Naufar’s mission in Qatar.

Asmaa Al-Mohannadi is an architect and researcher who is passionate about city building and understanding Qatar’s architectural development. Having studied Architecture at Qatar University, Asmaa went on to work in public housing and facility management, while also being involved in various research projects. Currently, she holds the position of director of facilities management at Naufar, a wellness and recovery center in Qatar. She works with a dynamic team to prioritize sustaining a healthy and safe environment and ensuring the operation and maintenance of the buildings, plants, and equipment in the facility.

An experienced project manager specializing in lighting retrofits and energy efficiency projects across the region. With a decade-long experience in the field having delivered projects with varying complexity and sizes. I am passionate about driving change towards a more sustainable and regenerative future. I have a strong background in lighting design, project management, reporting and stakeholder engagement, and have played a key role in helping organizations meet their sustainability goals and advance their decarbonization efforts.

Charbel Zouein serves as the General Manager for Motion Business in ABB Qatar. He joined ABB in 2009 as Sales Manager in U.A.E. for the Power Systems division. From 2011 till 2018 Charbel held several managerial positions across Middle East and Africa, ranging from Strategic Business    Development to Channel Management. Mr Zouein graduated from the American University of Beirut and holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, and a Masters of Business Administration. He is a Lebanese citizen and is currently based in Doha, Qatar.

Hala is a Sustainability Engineer with over 15 years of experience in design, building services, facilities management and government policy across the UAE, Qatar, KSA, Bahrain, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. A Mechatronics and Environmental Engineer by trade, Hala focuses on delivering innovative sustainability and environmental engineered solutions within the built environment and infrastructure development. She has worked on multiple high-profile projects within the region, driving sustainable solutions from strategic evaluation, project inception, design, construction, commissioning, and handover, all the way through to operations. Hala is currently spearheading the Race to Net Zero with several clients to achieve ambitious, unchartered targets.

Mario is Head of Sustainability MENA at Cundall, leading the company’s drive to meet increased demand for sustainable and net zero carbon solutions. With over 17 years of regional experience, Mario has a diverse background in low-to-zero carbon design and strategy development across a wide range of projects. Mario's ethos is based on having a tangible environmental impact, working closely with people to affect change and delivering creative and robust technical solutions.

Hamad M. Al Kuwari brings over 20 years of experience in project management, business improvement, innovation, and leadership, with expertise spanning the oil and gas industry, industrial sectors, and service operations. As the Executive Director of City Operations at Qatar Foundation, he oversees the strategic and operational management of Facilities & Infrastructure, General Services, Security, and the Integrated Transportation System. He also directs Facility Support for Sidra Medicine, a leading women’s and children’s hospital and medical research center based at Qatar Foundation’s Education City.

Prior to this role, he worked for eight years at Qatar Science & Technology Park, member of QF, serving as its Managing Director for four years and contributing significantly to its growth.  His career also includes key engineering and project management roles at ORYX GTL and Qatar Energy.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Al Kuwari serves as Chairman of the Joint Advisory Board of Qatar Academy Sidra, a Qatar Foundation school.

Al Kuwari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McNeese State University and an MBA with honors from Qatar University.