Mohd Shahrizan is the Head of Project Control Analytics in PETRONAS Project Delivery and Technology (PD&T) division, where he played a crucial role in driving digital transformation initiatives within the organization. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in digital ecosystems, he was able to implement innovative solutions that streamlined project delivery processes and improved operational efficiency. His contributions have been recognized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, where he has been a member since 2014. In addition, his professional technologist accreditation with the Malaysian Board of Technologists is a testament to his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry.

Muhammad Azri Ahmad Baharom is the Custodian Engineer and Group Technical Authority (GTA) for Planning and Scheduling in the PETRONAS Project Delivery and Technology division at present. The overall Upstream project portfolios for PETRONAS is currently under his purview. He previously served as a Project Control Manager for international upstream project (Iraq) and downstream Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) for PETRONAS. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by Project Management Institute (PMI).

Dr. Atif Ansar is the Founding Director of Oxford's program on Sustainable Capital-Intensive Industries and a professor of Megaproject Management at the Saïd Business School, at Oxford. He is also the Co-Founder of Foresight, the leading AI-enabled construction project management platform that helps owners and contractors unlock the hidden value in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project data. Both his academic research and the Foresight platform address the obstacles to delivering major project investments on-time and on-budget, the underlying causes, and potential cures. As capital-intensive projects grow in complexity it becomes challenging for human teams to effectively manage them: project managers require AI-assistance.

Mr. Armes has led multiple GAO studies of the federal government’s management of its vast and diverse physical infrastructure portfolio. His work has included investigations of earthquake risks to buildings; the safety of dams; and the effectiveness of programs to construct, operate, and maintain U.S. embassies, ports of entry, courthouses, and other assets. Prior to joining GAO, Mr. Armes served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps where he provided construction and facilities management support at Navy installations in Illinois, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Mr. Armes’ degrees include a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University, a Master’s of Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

For over 25 years, Dexter has led technology initiatives for major construction companies worldwide. He drives growth in construction tech firms, previously serving as Chief Revenue Officer at Slate.AI and TOGAL.AI, where he helped launch award-winning AI/ML solutions. At Command Alkon, Dexter, as VP/GM, established a new SaaS unit for heavy civil contractors and managed multiple acquisitions. He also held key roles at Aconex, contributing to its IPO and subsequent Oracle acquisition. At Servicepoint, Dexter transformed the company through strategic acquisitions. A Babson College graduate with a bachelor's in marketing and international business, Dexter's career is marked by innovation and strategic growth in construction technology.

Andrew Bates, PhD is a senior risk manager at Arcadis-US consulting on risk management best practices for construction and engineering projects for successful completion: safely, on time and within budget. His ability to communicate, motivate people and devise action plans on all projects has allowed him to thrive in high stress, fast-paced work environments requiring multi-tasking and immediate decision-making skills. Since 2009, He has been teaching at NYU's Tandon School of Engineering in subject areas of Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Strategic, Infrastructure, and Construction Planning. After serving for 24-yrs in the US Air Force, Andrew has been the Airfield Design Chief at JBMDL, Director for Construction Technology with a General Contractor, and VP at a Top 5 Mechanical Contracting Firm.

Louise is a Project Controls Director at Turner and Townsend. Louise has over 15 years’ experience of experience of Project Controls, mainly within the rail industry. She is a fellow of the Association for Project Management and has also gained chartership status. Louise has specialist experience in the discipline of planning and scheduling. Louise has experience of working in Sydney, Australia, UK and is now based in New York. In the UK Louise established the Project Controls function for Turner and Townsend in Scotland demonstrating the benefits of controls to a wide client base whilst working on several major programs. Louise now leads a commission with the MTA implementing project controls standards and procedures to serve the organization as it embarks on its largest capital program to date. Louise is particularly passionate about how the practical application of the project schedule can drive the progress of major programs and fundamentally believes that strong communication skills is a key quality of a project scheduler.

Silvia Bianchin is a Project Manager and consultant with the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) at the World Bank. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Trieste, in Italy, specializing in International Cooperation. In 2020-21, she pursued her Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Project Management at Georgetown University, where she is an advocate for professional development and mentoring initiatives. Silvia is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and served as VP of Marketing and Communications for the Project Management Institute chapter of Washington DC (PMIWDC).

Shane has been leading successful software deployments for companies executing capital projects for over 2 decades. Shane has been with Omega for over 14 years, the last 12 based in Houston Texas.

Eric Christoph has 30 years of proven experience implementing plans and tracking performance. Eric has served as Corporate EVM Lead, representing L-3 Communications at NDIA IPMD and USD/ATL PARCA. He co-wrote the PMI Practice Standard for Earned Value Management – 2nd Edition and served on the NDIA Integrated Program Management Division board overseeing the maintenance of the EIA-748 EVMS Standard. He has also contributed to MIL-STD-881 Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Material Items and GAO-16-89G GAO Schedule Assessment Guide: Best Practices for Project Schedules. Today, Eric is the lead systems architect at TMS for Power Platform solutions focused on project control systems development. As one of the very few people on Earth to use Agile practices to develop Earned Value Management Systems, he is uniquely qualified to talk about the integration of these disciplines!

Maria Conner is a Project Management Institute-Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) specializing in clinical project management. In May 2021 she received her master’s degree (MPS) in Project Management from Georgetown University. Maria’s professional career began in 2016 and still continues at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. She is affiliated with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (LMIV). She specializes in international clinical trial planning and logistics in the U.S., West Africa, and Cambodia. Prior to her professional career, Maria’s undergraduate research was centered on studying a small family of RhoGTPases (SPECs: small protein effectors of CDC42) using CRISPR/ Cas9 genome editing technology. Upon entering the workforce, Maria decided to use her background in science and strategic planning skills to pivot into a career in clinical trial project management. She continues to explore applications of her multi-disciplinary experience in the project management field.

Rami leads our program performance capability in Canada focused on project controls, scheduling and cost control. Rami has 15 years’ experience in corporate, program and project controls in the construction industry focused on large scale capital and infrastructure projects across the Middle East and Canada. His experience on Union Station Re-Signaling Project and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto, Ontario have equipped him with the necessary insight on importance on implementing robust project controls and scheduling processes early in the project life cycle.​ In addition to his project experience, Rami has also held a corporate role with a large multi-national contractor focused on standardizing automated data gathering, reporting and presenting project data on live dashboards on a wide array of project types includes energy, transport, residential and infrastructure across multiple regions in the Middle East and Africa.

Tanya Deegoju, a dynamic professional at Turner & Townsend's Program Advisory team, brings a wealth of expertise transcending traditional boundaries. With a Master of Science in Construction Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture, her career is marked by a fusion of technical prowess and creative innovation. With a keen aptitude in project management information systems (PMIS), she specializes in PMO-based systems with a focus on governance process development, design coordination, and digital reporting automation. Tanya's portfolio includes diverse projects in industrial, commercial, residential, and educational sectors and has contributed significantly to mega-projects like Ahmedabad International Airport design consultations and public programs setup in New York City. Her roles in establishing and implementing PMOs at Turner & Townsend underscore her commitment to driving digital innovation. Tanya's achievements include the CMAA NY/NJ Metro Fellowship and recognition in national research & architectural programs in India. Through her platform 'Bricking Barriers', she advocates for transformative changes in project management and the built environment​.

With over a decade of experience, Ellis began his career as a Site Engineer and has risen through the ranks to his current Planning Manager role at Spencer Group, managing complex multi-million pound projects in the Rail, Civils and Bridges sectors. Known for his attention to detail, logic, and factual approach, he is the lead planner on several high-profile UK infrastructure projects. At Spencer Group, he mentors a team of planners specialising in rail projects throughout the UK. Ellis is an expert in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Packages and is highly experienced in NEC3/4 and NR4/9 contract administration.

John Driessnack owns Olde Stone Consulting LLC, a niche sole proprietorship consulting firm. He is also the current President of the College of Performance Management and holds faculty positions at the University of Maryland, the Project Management Center of Excellence, and American University. John has worked on ANSI standard development teams for Earned Value and Program (5th edition) and is currently on PMI’s Standards Insight Committee. A retired USAF Lt Colonel, John’s military experience includes 21 years within six significant programs, including senior Systems PM for the Joint Global Broadcast System Program. Industry credentials include PMP, PfPM, CSM, and a prior Certified Cost Estimator. He has over 40 years of experience in project, program, and portfolio management in the industry and government. John’s recent efforts include research on Multidimensional Portfolio Management https://pm.umd.edu/2024/01/29/umd-research-leads-to-multidimensional-view-of-portfolio-management/. He is working with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) on the Reoptimization for Great Power Competition. This effort includes implementing a complex portfolio management approach, revised policies, and creating new tools for managing DAF's twenty-plus materiel investment portfolios, each expending annually over a billion dollars.

Dr. Mohamed El-Mehalawi has more than 25 years of project management and process improvement experience. Currently, he serves as a professor of practices at Nile University Business Administration School. Mohamed is the founder of OWL PM, a project management software startup in Houston, Texas. He served as the global improvement leader for project delivery at the Dow Chemical Company between 2018 and 2023. At this capacity Mohamed was responsible for the initiation, quality assurance, and the performance evaluation for all Dow projects with annual spending of billions of dollars. Before that, he was the manager of project services division at SBM Offshore where he was managing a staff providing project services for very large FPSO programs. Mohamed worked as the director of project portfolio management (PPM) consulting at Faithful and Gould North America. This is a consultancy firm providing project management services to Fortune 100 owner organizations. He was retained by Suisse Finance Group to lead the due diligence for multiple LNG mega projects. He was a project management advisor at Babcock and Wilcox Company, Barberton, Ohio and many other large organizations. He was an adjunct professor at Keller Graduate School of Management in 2001 and 2002. Mohamed served on the board of advisors for the Construction Industry Institute (CII) between 2019 and 2023. He is a member and speaker at the PMI and AACE and contributes to the CII Research. Mohamed received his Ph.D. degree from The Ohio State University in industrial and systems engineering in 1998.

Eng. Hatem Elbanna Quality and Environmental Studies Director PMO member Protection for Contracting and Design  More than 30 years in Construction for Many Multinational Clients.  PMO member for Seven Years in a big Construction Company  Consultant Engineer in Projects Management  LEED GREEN ASOCIATE Accredited (USGBC)  PMP Certified from Project Management Institute in USA  IPMA Certified from International Project Management Association  Diploma in Contractual & Legal Aspects in Construction Industry (CLAC)  Diploma in Total Quality Management from the American University in Cairo ( AUC).  Partial Fulfilment of MSC in Highway Engineering (Cairo University)  BSC in civil Engineering (Cairo University)  Shared in many Construction Seminars and forums  Shared as a speaker and lecturer in many international conference and Training institute.

Karen Firmaniuk relentlessly pursues transformation in her role as director of product management at McKinstry, a national construction and energy services leader. She joined the company in 2007 to lead change and implement value-add technology solutions in support of the company and its clients. She was instrumental in the company realizing critical efficiencies through the creation of a shared services organization and large, cross-department process changes and projects. Throughout McKinstry’s growth, it became evident that manual processes were no longer a sustainable way to meet the company’s go-to-market strategy. Karen led the charge in finding and implementing a solution that would eventually lead McKinstry to Planisware.

Melvin Frank is Director of Project Controls and Policy Division (PM-30) within the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Project Management. He is responsible for development and interpretation of the Departments’ project management and earned value management system (EVMS) policy and guidance, conduct of EVMS compliance assessments, and the operation, maintenance and implementation of DOE’s corporate Project Assessment and Reporting System (PARS). Mr. Frank has championed an initiative to improve EVM and Project Management integration and excellence across DOE’s capital asset projects via a strategic corrective action plan. Actions included EVMS Snippets, Roadside Assist Visits, standardizing rigorous but fair EVMS compliance assessments, and promoting contractor self-governance. Most recently he spearheaded an academic research study by Arizona State University (ASU), that in collaboration with major industry contractors and other federal agencies identified the factors that contribute to a mature, effective, and reliable EVMS, and the association between the maturity of the EVMS, the environment in which it operates, and project outcomes. Mr. Frank has over 25 years of engineering and project management experience in the public and private sectors. After five years as an officer in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP), he spent 11 years as a contractor consultant to federal government agencies. While supporting the DOE’s Office of Environmental Management, Mr. Frank participated in numerous Independent Project Reviews across the DOE complex. As a DOE employee he worked two years in the Office of Program Analysis and Evaluation, before joining the Office of Project Management (originally the Office of Engineering and Construction Management and then the Office of Acquisition and Project Management). Mr. Frank has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and a Certificate of Completion in Nuclear Reactor Engineering from Bettis Reactor Engineering School.

Chowdhary Gondy is a seasoned project controls professional with 33 years of scope, schedule, cost, risk, and claims management experience for horizontal and vertical construction. He is an expert at conducting analyses to accurately predict and understand time and cost outcomes and developing effective strategies for mitigating schedule and cost impacts. Prior to establishing CES, he served as VDOT’s Northern Virginia District Scheduling Engineer where he developed, analyzed, and updated detailed CPM schedules for hundreds of projects. In addition, Chowdhary authored standard operating procedures for developing contract time determinations and led the development of VDOT’s Highway User Benefit Road User Cost program used to calculate disincentives and incentives. His project controls experience is broad and encompasses roads, bridges, airports, Metrorail, light rail, VRE, buildings and tunnels using lessons-learned / best practices approach. Chowdhary was also the past President of AACEi National Chapter Section and co-hosted the 2019 and 2022 Northeast Regional Cost Symposium.

Chris brings over 27 years of experience in the construction industry, specialising in digital construction. He has managed sectors of multi-billion-pound projects globally, including the Doha Metro in Qatar, HS2 in the UK, and the Silvertown Tunnel in London, working globally in the UK, Qatar, India, and the Philippines. His passion for digital construction has propelled him to lead XER Toolkit, where he is dedicated to digitising project schedules for all stakeholders and unlocking the invaluable data within them.

Ferras Haidar is the Deputy Director of Project Controls in the Department Capital Program Support at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Mr. Haidar graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a bachelor's degree in economics, Mr. Haidar has 9 years of Project Controls experience spanning between the private and public sectors. Prior work experience includes: 3 years as a Project Controls Analyst for AECOM; 4 years as a project controls manager at the Massachusetts Port Authority's Capital Programs Department with an annual spend of close to $600M; and almost 2 years as Deputy Director of Project Controls at the MBTA' s Engineering Capital Division with an annual spend of close to $900M. Through this experience, Mr. Haidar has been involved from a project controls standpoint on many large-scale infrastructure projects in the Greater Boston Area, Ferras Haidar is a CMIT and a Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Mr. Haidar believes in continuous improvement and ensuring he and the processes around him are operating as effectively as possible, More importantly, Ferras believes in teamwork and empowers others to succeed around him.

- Master in Construction Law – Salford University, UK - Master of Business Administration – UoPeople, US - B.Sc. Civil Engineering – Ain Shams University, Egypt - Consultant – Saudi Council of Engineers - MRICS, Chartered Project Management Surveyor – RICS - CCP, Certified Cost Professional – AACE - PMP, Project Management Professional – PMI - P3O, Portfolio, Programme and Projects Offices – AXELOS, UK - FIDIC Contracts Consultant, AIA (Brussels) Fellow - Author of 50 Planning fundamentals & Fundamentals of Construction Contracts - Experience more than 21 years in mega-projects (Buildings, Infrastructure & Roads)

Dylan Hirsch brings 22 years of experience as a Project Manager and Sr. Consultant managing large scale, complex design and construction projects in both the public and private sectors. His deep understanding of technology and processes, and diverse professional background allows for systematic problem solving from multiple perspectives. Dylan is especially skilled with evaluating current systems, weeding through the clutter to identify solutions, and then guiding the team through implementation and quality assurance.

Donna Holden has been the Earned Value Management Systems Director at Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) since 2020. She has 24 years’ experience in the field of project controls, schedules, and earned value working for the US Navy and DCMA. She has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and MBA from University of MD. Ms. Holden is a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management institute. She is Program Management and Budget, Cost Financial Management certified from Defense Acquisition University. In her years of civil service, Ms. Holden has worked in the project controls area of several major weapons systems in support of the Department of Defense including international engagement in United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, across several platforms to include V-22, ARH, VH-71, E-2C, C-130 AMP, SBIRS, AEHF, DDG-1000, F-18, F-22, F-16. Ms. Holden’s particular expertise in evaluation of project control systems and schedule risk assessment has been sought out as a subject matter expert. She is lean six sigma Black-Belt trained and has participated in several Continuous Process Improvement projects to improve project controls within the Federal Government. She lives in the northern neck of Virginia and enjoys the Chesapeake Bay seafood, fishing, and waterfront activities in her free time.

More than 18 years of Project Controls experience in process industries. Kaveh has experience leading Project Controls teams in Oil & Gas and has experience managing Project Controls for Engineering, Construction, and Maintenance projects. Kaveh is currently the Corporate Project Controls Manager at Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

Ts. Ng Jiun Huei is a seasoned professional in the field of Project Controls, currently holding the position of Staff Engineer (Planning & Scheduling) within the PETRONAS Project Delivery & Technology (PD&T) Division. The Upstream project portfolios of Sabah, Sarawak, Malaysia; Iraq, South Sudan and Turkmenistan are currently under his purview. With a robust career timeline, he has demonstrated expertise in various aspects of project management, including risk management, planning and scheduling, cost control and cost estimation. He previously served as a Project Control Manager for Pengerang Transmission Line (PTL) and Pengerang Cogeneration Plant (PCP) in Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID), Pengerang and Project Control Manager for Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (PCSB) as well as the Lead Project Controller for Petronas Carigali Iraq Holdings B.V. (PCIHBV) Projects. In addition, his Professional Technologist accreditation with the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBoT) is a testament to his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry.

Christopher Hutchings is an Electrical/Electronic Engineer and business transformation expert who leads global growth operations across all the Galorath business units. Before this, he was evolving his engineering and management skills within the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, serving in several roles within the Defense engineering and procurement fields, including Integrated Logistic Support, Requirements Management, Systems Engineering, and Cost Analysis. Over the last thirty years, Christopher has provided expert support in the field of Cost Analysis, Project Management, and Risk Analysis to a wide range of Government, commercial and Academic organizations. He is a PMI, certified Project Management Professional.

Sadia Janjua is the Chief of Digital Transformation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, boasting over 15 years of expertise in Program/Construction Management. Specializing in Program/Project Controls, she excels in Planning & Scheduling, Cost Management, Risk Management, BIM and VDC, Forensic Analysis, Change Management, and Digital Transformation. With a strong background in transportation and infrastructure, Sadia sets strategic directions and growth strategies for project controls, VDC, and digital transformation. She leverages big data and advanced analytics to enhance business operations. Her role involves positioning the organization for transformative construction experiences and leading Innovation and Strategy teams to reinvent construction in the digital era. Sadia develops digital transformation strategies, change methodologies, and target operating models, utilizing connected workspaces, process automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. With experience across owner, contractor, and construction manager roles in firms like Bechtel, McCarthy Building Companies, STV, New York MTA, and AECOM, Sadia brings a wealth of industry insight. She serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Pratt Institute. Holding a master’s in Construction Administration from Columbia University and a bachelor's in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from UC Berkeley, Sadia is a respected figure in industry associations like CMAA, AACE International, PMI, and the Guild of Project Controls. Her contributions have earned her accolades such as the top Women in Construction award and ENR’s Top 20 under 40 award. Recently, Sadia was accepted to Wharton’s Senior Executive Education Program for Digital Transformation.​

Juan Sebastian Jurado is a senior director of customer success at ALICE Technologies, where he helps customers digitize their scheduling practices from static legacy systems to parametric and integrated project controls. Juan's extensive experience includes implementing AI-powered tools for more competitive bidding, target value design, lean planning, and project recoveries. Juan has trained schedulers around the world in generative scheduling, also gaining a deep understanding of the challenges faced in industrial, infrastructure, and commercial markets and the many limitations of legacy planning and project management tools. At ALICE, Juan has developed frameworks for integrating schedule, cost, and scope, as well as decision methodologies for AI tool evaluation and adoption. He is passionate about educating the industry on the limitations and opportunities of AI and helping translate complex technical talk into actionable construction impacts that make life better for workers and companies. Before ALICE, Juan graduated from Stanford, worked at Suffolk Construction, and co-founded Built Robotics.

Dimitra Karachaliou is an Associate Vice President with AECOM, where she is providing advisory services for clients in the New York Metro Area. She is specialized in Project Controls and Digital Transformation Program Management. She holds a Structural Engineering Diploma (master’s equivalent) from N.T.U.A., Athens, Greece, and a master’s in construction management from Columbia University, New York. Dimitra began her construction career working in the Budget and Estimating Department of Stern Projects, LLC, a construction management company focused on residential renovations. Since joining AECOM in 2016, she worked as a project controls specialist for various multi-million-dollar projects. Currently, she is working as a consultant to the Chief of Digital Transformation of the Port Authority of NY and NJ, managing Digital Transformation initiatives for the Authority’s Engineering Department. In addition, she is an Adjunct Professor for Columbia University, introducing project management practices to graduate CEEM students under AECOM Industry Field Studies course. Dimitra is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a certified Agile Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and she has received the CORO Leadership New York Certification. In 2018, she was honored by the Women Builders Council as one of the “Next Generation Women Builders”. She has extensive mentorship experience, including Center of Buildings Infrastructure and Public Spaces of Columbia University, Professional Women in Construction and ACE Mentorship New York. Recently, she was accepted to Wharton’s Senior Executive Education Program for Digital Transformation. Professional Certificate expected in Fall 2024.

Jason Kinder is an Earned value and program management advocate with extensive experience implementing EVM systems in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Inspirational team-building and relationship management to drive successful internal change and deliver training to augment the necessary skill sets. Successful development of EVM System Description, policies, and procedures. Introduce new technologies to manage by exception, identify and understand variances, create corrective actions, and improve on-time and within-budget project delivery

Tyler Konter entered the engineering consulting field with extensive experience in project management, engineering, project controls, CPM scheduling, and cost analysis on active construction projects. He has conducted and evaluated forensic analyses using industry-recognized methods such as the measured mile, comparisons to similar projects, and industry studies for productivity analysis, as well as the contemporaneous period, retrospective TIA, impacted as-planned, and as-planned versus as-built for schedule analysis techniques.

Vishwambhara (Vishwa) Kumbharathi is a seasoned Lead Cost Estimator with over nine years of experience in the construction industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Osmania University and a Master's in Construction Engineering Management from Clemson University. Vishwa's passion for construction was nurtured during his upbringing, instilling in him a deep appreciation for engineering complexities. Certified in CEP, PSP, and PMP, he is a dedicated member and mentor at AACE International, recognized for his leadership potential in the ACEC NJ Emerging Leaders Program. Vishwa excels in delivering meticulous cost estimates for large projects, exceeding client expectations. His analytical skills, attention to detail, and collaborative approach make him an ideal mentor. Committed to excellence and continuous improvement, Vishwa's contributions earned him the Outstanding Rising Professional Award from AACEi in 2024, highlighting his leadership in the construction industry.

Rev. Dr. Courtney O. Lackard, DMin, CCP, PSP, CSL, is the Director of Project Controls in the Department Capital Program Support at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Prior work experience includes working as a Cost Engineer on several government contracts with MOCA Systems Inc., and as a Scheduler on both the Logan 2000 Program at the Logan International Airport and the JFK Redevelopment Program at the JFK International Airport. Overall, he has more than 35 years of project controls work experience. Dr. Lackard is a Certified Cost Professional, a certified Planning and Scheduling Professional (AACE), and a licensed Construction Supervisor. Currently holds the office of Treasurer at the AACE International Boston Section. Dr. Lackard holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching and Teaching from Knox Theological Seminary, a Master of Art in Urban Ministries from the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Dr Lackard believes in sharing his knowledge with others, so they can grow to become better individuals and positive contributors to society.

Greg Lawton is at the forefront of shaping the future of project management and sustainability. As the CEO of Nodes & Links, an AI-powered schedule management platform company based in London, Greg is dedicated to elevating the delivery performance of global capital and infrastructure projects. He leads the development and implementation of artificial intelligence and automation solutions for complex project management, paving the way for the next generation of roles in the field. As an Entrepreneur First Cohort Member, Greg showcases his commitment to supporting ambitious technologists in building cutting-edge technology startups. His diverse background, including roles at BAE Systems as a Regional Operations Manager and Astute Change Programme Manager, underscores his expertise in global strategy development, execution, and project management. Beyond his professional journey, Greg is a versatile creator, podcast host, speaker, and writer. His podcast, Beyond Deadlines, exemplifies his exceptional ability to communicate insights on infrastructure, project controls, venture building, and entrepreneurship. Greg Lawton invites connections as he navigates the intersection of technology, sustainability, and project management, shaping a more efficient and brighter future.

Jason Lee is an Assistant Director for the Engineering Sciences group within the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). He is responsible for evaluating cost estimates and project schedules generated by programs across myriad agencies. Jason has eighteen years of experience in the analysis, parametric estimation, and evaluation of costs and master schedules associated with large federal government acquisition programs. Before joining GAO in 2009, Jason was a consultant, developing independent cost estimates and conducting cost methodology research primarily for Department of Defense program offices. Prior to his work as a cost analyst, he was an operations research analyst for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Center for Cost Analysis.

Jamey Matalka is a strategic leader in risk, finance, and project management with a professional career in State Government spanning over 18 years. As the Director of Risk Management and Project Controls for California’s $130 Billion High-Speed Rail project, Mr. Matalka plays a pivotal role in creating a risk aware culture and enabling risk-based decision-making across the enterprise. He leads a diverse team of risk, project management and project control professionals who support Enterprise Risk Management, Program Risk Management, and Program Management Office operations including Project Controls. Prior to being appointed by the Newsom Administration to the Risk Management and Project Controls office, Mr. Matalka was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Authority and a Principal Program Budget Analyst for the California Department of Finance. An energetic leader, Mr. Matalka is committed to strategic risk management, prudent use of limited, tax-payer funds, and program excellence. Mr. Matalka has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from California State University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Data Analyst.

Vice President, Director of Controls at APSI Construction Management Inc. Experienced Program/Project Control professional with a 30-years of hands-on experience. Skilled in Process Scheduling, Value Engineering, Project Controls, Project Estimation, CPM Scheduling and Claims Analysis. Strong operations professional with a master's degree focused on Civil Engineering from Bradley University.

Orion is an award-winning entrepreneur and technology executive with over a decade of expertise in Project Control discipline. As CEO at Queryon, he leads data analytics initiatives that enable managers to harness the power of data storytelling to transform their business operations. His strategic insights have driven the development of solutions crucial for project controls' reporting within large enterprises and NGOs. His projects have been implemented worldwide, from the remote McMurdo Station in Antarctica to naval aircraft carriers at sea. Orion’s work has been highlighted in the media, including Scientific American and CNN. His software was featured as permanent exhibits in two museums and NOAA's campus in Seattle. A "Top 40 under 40" from his home state of Alaska, Orion has served on numerous boards and engaged in many other civic activities, including serving as a club and board member of Anchorage Downtown Rotary, National Trustee of Camp Fire, and implementor for various social projects such as Anchorage Project Access and FACT a hunger-prevention and food distribution tracking system.

Karen Richey Mislick is a senior Lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where she teaches courses on cost estimating, scheduling, earned value management, technology readiness, Agile development, and data visualization / storytelling methods. Before her tenure at NPS, which began in 2018, Karen served as an Assistant Director for the Applied Research and Methods Team at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). During her nearly two-decade career at GAO, she conducted extensive cost, schedule, and earned value management analyses that contributed to audit findings across a broad spectrum of government programs. Karen holds a certification as a Chief Information Officer from the National Defense University and is also Level-III certified in cost estimating and financial management. She brings over 30 years of experience in these specialized fields. Prior to joining the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Karen Richey Mislick served as a cost analyst for the Department of the Navy. In this role, she specialized in earned value management and developed independent cost estimates for major weapon system programs and automated information systems. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Mathematics from the University of South Carolina, followed by a Master’s degree in Cost Estimating and Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). In June 2018, Karen Richey Mislick was honored with the Gary Christle Leadership Award for her role in developing a series of "best practice" guides. These guides have markedly enhanced the understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) across the Government Accountability Office (GAO), as well as in government, industry, and academia. Notable among these publications are the GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide, the Schedule Assessment Guide, the Technology Readiness Assessment Guide, and the Agile Development and Implementation Guide.

René Morkos is the founder of ALICE Technologies. He obtained his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence applications for construction as a Charles H. Leavell fellow at Stanford University. He is a second generation civil engineer with over 15 years of construction industry experience that is divided between industry and academia. His professional experience includes working as a project manager in Afghanistan, underwater pipeline construction, automation engineering on a $350 million gas refinery expansion project in Abu Dhabi, ERP system implementations, and various Virtual Design and Construction projects

Dr. Alexia Nalewaik has over 25 years of experience in audit, estimating, and cost/risk management. She is a Fellow of the RICS, AACE International, the Guild of Project Controls, and ICEC. Alexia is a member of the Governing Council for the RICS. She is also a Past President of AACE International, and Past Chair of the International Cost Engineering Council. She has published two books, on performance audit and reporting. Current research focuses on cost-benefit analysis and societal value.

Ian is a Professional Engineer based in Calgary, AB, who has spent his 30 year career improving project controls systems and implementing new and better ways to manage projects. Ian started his career in construction and then engineering management before a brief stint in construction claims led to his move to project controls where he works with large clients on best practices (and claims avoidance). Ian also works as a risk consultant and has acted as Risk Manager on several large infrastructure projects. Ian has designed integrated PM systems between scheduling, cost control and EAM/ERP systems, which have become industry standard processes. Ian is a certified trainer and implementer in Oracle Primavera P3, P6 and OPRA and Safran Risk.

Rick Niederstadt has over 25 years of experience in the engineering, design, and construction industry. Rick started in the private sector as a consultant performing engineering, design, and construction management. Since 2000, Rick has been working with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). He started as a construction manager before moving into the role of Construction Support Manager in 2012, and then into the role of Capital Improvement Program Manager in 2015. Rick is responsible for Project Controls, including MMSDs Project Management Information System, Construction Management, Survey, and Geospatial Services and Solutions groups at MMSD. He has a passion for project and construction management processes, project management information systems, and digital transformation. Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Marquette University and is a registered Professional Engineer. Rick is a member of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), and the Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN).

Excellence in execution with 30 years of experience in successful execution and management of mega lump sum turnkey projects. Expertise in Direct Hire lump sum EPC projects, specifically Modular / LNG project execution. Project Planning, Cost Control, Finance and Risk Management of projects over USD 25B TIC. Experience in LNG, Oil & Gas, Petroleum & Chemicals, Regasification, Power and Mining and Metals business lines. Successful execution experience in all phases of the project - Feasibility Study, Pre-FEED, FEED, EPC, and Commissioning & Start-up. Six Sigma Champion and Green Belt. Effective application of six sigma and behavioral principles to eliminate process defects and build high performing teams to achieve discretionary performance.

During his career, Tom has scored, designed, developed and implemented Project Planning and Risk Management systems and processes in telecommunications, transportation, insurance, and defense industries. His mission is to help the field of Project Management focus on analysis, rather than manual development of data and information used to support analysis. Most recently, Tom has researched the intersection of organizational culture and risk management. Tom maintains that "only with a strong supporting culture can risk management truly help affect project outcomes for the better." Risk Management goes far beyond building schedules and crunching numbers. A culture driven toward open communication and candid discussion of potential execution threats is necessary for Risk to be proactively managed and integrated with project cost and schedule forecasting processes.​

Robert Raynes is the lead Director for the Contract & Procurement team within Program Advisory North America. Robert has over 20 years of experience in providing consultancy and management roles in capital delivery and assessment management for infrastructure, property, and natural resources clients. Robert has provided advice, guidance, and management support at delivery team, management and executive levels and has deep understanding of the different communication styles and approaches required. Robert's experience has covered supporting the implementation of organizational strategies, governance and capital and operational delivery models. Robert's projects have involved supporting the implementation of organizational strategies, governance, and delivery models for asset intensive organizations as they develop and implement business improvement initiatives. These projects have included developing and establishing asset management systems, end-to-end capital delivery processes, contract management strategies, and new supply chain solutions for the delivery of both capital and maintenance operational requirements. A key component has been the management and setup of new system.

Serial project risk innovator and agitator that believes 'risk management' practice needs to evolve. Based in the UK, Chris has worked on programmes and megaprojects across the highways, rail/metro and tunneling / major infrastructure sectors and now works for the premier risk analysis software company, Safran. An award winning risk manager, Chris now trains and advises global customers across all timezones in sound, pragmatic solutions to their uncertain scenarios, whilst also acting as a focal point for software developement feedback. Chris is on a mission to reimagine and refocus minds about what 'risk' is really all about. Why not ask him on the Safran stall before he flys back to Britain!

Nelson Rosa is a thought Leader in Capital Infrastructure Industry where he is managing a Quality Management System including Project Controls in CPG Mega Projects with an approved budget of +120 Bn. Nelson has been shaping Projects Controls through effective people leadership and organizational effectiveness method, he established that took a multi-billion-dollar program to the next level of maturity. One of Nelson’s recent accomplishments was obtaining ISO 900:2015 Certification for Ontario Crown Corporation of +120 Bn Mega Program.

He is a mechanical engineer from Colombia, got his bachelor's degree at Universidad de los Andes, and a master's degree in Construction Management from Northwestern University, he offers a unique blend of leadership, digital acumen, and data management skills. His proficiency extends to guiding diverse teams in the Oil & Gas industry, achieving project success through strategic execution. He has implemented the AWP (Advanced Work Packaging) project management framework in the construction of Power Plants, LNG trains, and offshore rigs, enabling comprehensive tracking and visibility at every project stage, from the lowest level of detail to the highest, creating the possibility to navigate the data at any level. He possesses an adeptness for data management and analysis, transforming intricate data into actionable insights, facilitating effective strategic planning, and mitigating risks. His consistent track record includes delivering projects on schedule, within budget, and with unwavering quality through data-driven project management. In multicultural settings, he promotes collaboration, nurtures continuous improvement, and encourages pushing boundaries. His history encompasses the implementation of best practices and innovative solutions, consistently exceeding expectations and yielding exceptional project outcomes.

1)12 Years of Project Scheduling Experience 2)Justin started his Scheduling Career with the U.S. Dept of Navy, NAVAIR, and went on to work with other Defense Contractors in the private sector thereafter. 3)Justin has worked for Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman, since 2017. 4)Interacting with colleagues and members of the PMO to find solutions to challenges is one of my favorite areas to explore 5)My wife and I have 4 kids and a dog named Waylon! 6)I love spending time at the water, hiking, and camping whenever I can find the time!

Rachel Smallwood | Senior Project Specialist With a multi-disciplinary approach, Rachel uses the knowledge gained to serve as a trusted advisor for projects ranging in size and complexity. She understands the project lifecycle and how to maximize a project’s schedule from design through construction. Rachel’s expertise includes contract and specification compliance, scheduling, procurement oversight, punch list management, and risk analysis. She has conducted training for owners, contractors, government agencies, and engineers. Rachel is an authorized trainer for the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and specializes in software training for Oracle and Microsoft programs. Her attention to detail, standards of quality, and design conformance are critical to the successful oversight of projects. Rachel has the public works, commercial, industrial, and private market sector experience to support any type of project.

Tom is the Chief Revenue Officer at Foresight, with over 15 years of experience working at high growth software companies targeting the real estate and construction sectors. He is a big believer that companies in these industries can grow their businesses, reduce costs, streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction with data-driven solutions. He is passionate about showing owners and contractors of major construction projects how they can complete projects on-time with modern AI-tools.

Charles Streeter, PMP is the Director for Life Cycle Cost Estimating group within the Financial Management Business Transformation Service at the US Department of Veterans Affairs. He is responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive cost management process is in place, allowing the program to understand the current costs, plan for the future, and accurately assess the impact of changes. Prior to this role, Dr. Streeter was the ePMO Director of Portfolio Scheduling. He has nineteen years of experience in project scheduling, cost estimation, and program management with federal government agencies and large government prime contractors. Before joining the VA in 2022, he worked at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory as a Program Manager and Unit Manager overseeing the construction support projects needed to support the refueling of the S8G prototype nuclear reactor. He served 20 years in the US Navy, finishing his career as an instructor for the Navy Hovercraft program. Dr. Streeter holds a Doctorate of Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg, a Master’s in Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.

Matt leads our Digital Technology team. He has over 10 years’ experience in software development and systems engineering in the construction industry. Matt has worked in a number of areas of Digital Technology ranging from IT infrastructure overhauls, networking, software development, and system integration with clients. He also developed and maintained one of the top construction estimating systems in UK. Matt is experienced in cloud-based software solutions and high availability IT infrastructure. He knows the importance of talking needs through with clients to get exactly what they need from a solution. Working closely with the rest of the Digital Technology and Visualisation team, Matt is always looking to expand D2’s digital service offering adding value to project controls solutions.

Sashi Kanth Tadinada is a Scientist and Risk Analytics leader specializing in the science and modeling of natural catastrophes and man-made risks impacting property, construction projects, infrastructure lifelines and global business supply chains. Currently, Sashi serves as Vice President of Actuarial & Analytics at NFP focusing on risk problems in Property-Casualty insurance. In his 12+ year career as a scientist and researcher in disaster risk modeling and analytics, he held various positions at AIG, Verisk Extreme Event Solutions and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Sashi's holds a Ph.D. in Computing & Systems and an M.S. in Structural Engineering and Mechanics - both from North Carolina State University, and a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.

Ashley Turner, PMP., is the Program Director for Project Controls at the Port Authority of New Yor and New Jersey and is responsible for heading the Project Controls Unit, in addition to reporting, the unit also comprises of the Scheduling and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) teams. Ashley has over 10 years of experience in both the public and private sector, initially working for Apple and then Microdesk prior to joining the Agency in 2019, as VDC Manager where Ashley was responsible for reestablishing the BIM/ CAD requirements and standards for the Department, leading the audit compliance for the PA Wide review and coordinating projects, in design and construction to the Autodesk Construction Cloud. In addition, Ashley is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)., has lead the VDC team in its responsibility to specify and deploy an integrated system to support the technical design and project control requirements of projects, is responsible for ensuring all work and outputs are executed to meet project objectives and the requirements of relevant Authority strategies and provides reports and updates to the Chief Engineer's office.

Billy Upchurch is the Product Specialist at SmartPM. By merging his educational background in building construction and product management with 15 years of practical involvement in delay consultancy, Upchurch’s exposure to the lack of widely available data-driven controls within construction and real-estate projects inspires his commitment to transforming how projects are delivered. Outside of SmartPM, Billy also serves as a Guest Lecturer at Georgia Tech’s School of Building Construction's Master’s Program. His deep understanding of product and project management, combined with practical experience, informs his approach to leveraging data-driven insights for more effective project outcomes.

Michelle is a Principal in the Risk Consulting practice of Ernst & Young LLP with over 21 years of experience leading major strategic, risk and resilience program transformations globally. She helps EY clients harness value through strategic risk management over enterprise and program portfolios. Specifically, Michelle has experience in setup of risk governance and decision frameworks, and design and implementation of ERM, operational risk and capital program risk and controls transformation programs across the energy, consumer, financial services, transportation and complex infrastructure and rail projects of over $2.5BN. Michelle is trained in the Management of Risk (MoR) on capital programs from HM Treasury UK, is a certified Risk Management Practitioner by the Project Management Institute and in certified in risk quantification.

Since 2009, Mr. Wargo has worked for MPR Associates leading project controls efforts for large capital projects within the government and domestic nuclear/renewable energy industries. Mr. Wargo has extensive experience in cost estimating, schedule development, risk management, and earned value management systems. He is very proficient with a broad range of project controls tools (e.g., P6, Acumen, Polaris, Safran, MII, etc...) and is the current chairman of the Risk Management Task Team for DOE and NNSA's Energy Facilities Contractors Group (EFCOG).

Mike Younger – Project Controls Director at Turner and Townsend – Mike has over 45 years of experience in Project Control within the Oil and Gas, onshore and offshore, upstream and downstream. He has worked as a Project Controls Director, Manager & Principal Cost Engineer in a corporate capacity and on many diverse projects in the USA, UK, Europe and Asia. These roles have been on assignment at international sites, and in the home office. His current role at Turner & Townsend is as in the Program Advisory team in the Americas helping in the set- up of Major Programs, the review of inflight Projects/Programs and helping clients who get into trouble with any aspect of Project Controls by reviewing current processes and suggesting ways to extricate themselves from these. Mike is an SME in EVM and has presented on this subject internationally on many occasions. He enjoys the challenge of reviewing new and existing projects to see how they could be improved by efficiency, measurement and analysis and has a proved track record in doing this to great success.