Abdullah Akbar is Partner, Head of Private Enterprise and Family Business, and serves as Head of Board Leadership Centre (BLC) for the Middle East. He has over 24 years of experience in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Oman. Prior to KPMG, he has worked for five years in another Big 4 in their offices in United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. He is responsible to establish and develop the BLC and represent the firm among family businesses to provide them with a range of audit and advisory services. He is a subject matter expert for clients in financial services, energy and natural resources, infrastructure and transport, and consumer and industrial markets sectors.

As a leader and accredited family business advisor, Abdullah also works with large family owned conglomerates advising the owners / board of directors to facilitate processes that allows them to co-create effective plans in respect of Initial Public Offering (IPO), succession planning, organization design, governance structures, authority matrices, setting up and defining roles and responsibilities of various board level committees. He has also been regularly consulted on challenges relating to talent management, internal audit, risk management and compliance

Abdullah Musad Alraimi is an experienced aviation and airport management professional with over 35 years of experience across airport operations, maintenance, engineering, facilities management and major infrastructure projects. He has held senior leadership roles including CEO, Deputy CEO, Vice President and Director General with organisations including GACA and Saudi Binladin Group. His expertise spans airport development, operational efficiency, project management, safety, facilities optimisation and strategic planning.

A results-driven business development, sales, partnerships, and customer relations professional with extensive experience across logistics, marketing, and enterprise sales with strong track record in growing key accounts, developing strategic partnerships, negotiating commercial agreements, and building strong, long-term relationships with clients. highly skilled in customer care and customer relationship management.

Adam is an aviation strategist who helps airports and governments set transformation strategies, unlock aeronautical growth, and improve commercial performance for long-term development. He has led engagements across airports of all sizes and contexts, from regional gateways of 2mppa to major international hubs of 85mppa, with a track record spanning more than 20 airports across 15+ countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

As SVP Business Development, Adam leads daa International's global portfolio across PPP projects, greenfield developments in emerging markets, and O&M and technical service engagements. He brings experience from working on all sides of the industry - airport owners, developers, operators and investors -, giving both Public and Private sector clients a perspective few pure advisory firms can offer. His background in International Relations underpins strong relationships across government and embassy networks worldwide. His expertise spans airport strategy, business transformation and change management, aeronautical business development, airline partnerships, concession modelling, property strategy, and greenfield airport planning. Adam combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to help clients unlock commercial opportunities and achieve sustainable growth"

Adrien Robin is an international aviation professional with over 15 years of experience across the global aerospace and aviation industry. His multidisciplinary background spans airports, airlines, general and business aviation, aircraft leasing, MRO, aviation logistics, cargo and supply chain, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's commercial and operational landscape.

Throughout his career, Adrien has developed and implemented long-term business growth strategies while working with a diverse network of aviation stakeholders worldwide, including airport operators, airlines, general and private aviation operators, aircraft manufacturers and lessors, MRO providers, advanced air mobility start-ups, and logistics organizations. His international experience across Europe and the Middle East has enabled him to navigate multicultural business environments and contribute to strategic partnerships and market development initiatives. Adrien also holds a Private Pilot License (PPL), complementing his strategic perspective with a practical understanding of flight operations.

Alshaima Alshayeb is the Corporate Environment & Sustainability Manager at Matarat Holding, with over 10 years of experience spanning aviation, infrastructure, engineering, and sustainable development. She holds a Master of Civil Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney and a Professional Certificate Program in Sustainability from MIT. Alshaima is the Founder and Chairwoman of the Saudi Women Engineers Society and Founder and Board Member of the Green Building Chapter
at the Saudi Umran Society. Her work focuses on advancing environmental performance, sustainable aviation, and the transition toward a more resilient and low-carbon airport ecosystem.

Andrew is a highly experienced leader, with extensive expertise in aviation and transport design. His most recent projects, leading multidisciplinary design teams, include the new Noida International Airport, the expansion of Athens International Airport, Heathrow Expansion and the award-winning Istanbul New Airport which was recently recognised as World's Best Airport by Conde Nast Traveller. 

Understanding the complexity of large-scale infrastructure, in design and delivery, Andy is passionate about bringing forward innovative solutions and construction methods which enable projects to meet their ambitions whatever the scale. Through a number of globally significant rail projects, including the Fulton Center in New York and Euston Railway Station in London, he has led significant design consultation programmes which successfully integrate infrastructure development into the wider city context, for greater local social, environmental and economic transformation. 

Currently leading Grimshaw's London studio, Andy has worked across the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. His responsibilities span the discipline of architectural practice, moving the profession forward through design excellence, technology integration and empowering more diverse teams and collaboration.

Anna Briukova, IAP is a Senior Aviation Consultant, Co-founder of the Clear to Take Off Institute, certified trainer at Windrose Training Academy (Bulgaria) and psychologist with over fifteen years of experience in terminal operations, customer service, audit management and aviation training. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles in the airline industry and at a major airport in Russia, where she not only managed complex operational tasks but also built and guided high-performing teams.

Anna has personally trained more than 900 aviation professionals and successfully delivered over 30 projects of varying scale and complexity, including the first airport brand service program in her country, “Agents of Hospitality,” and “Silver Age Agents.”

She consults on international airport operational readiness projects all over the world, designs training programs tailored to the evolving needs of the aviation sector, contributes insightful articles on aviation topics to professional publications, and integrates her background in psychology to support both professional and personal growth.

In 2025, Anna was recognized as International Airport Professional of the Month by ACI and ICAO in acknowledgment of her outstanding contribution to the development of the global aviation industry.

In early 2026, Anna co-authored “Clear to Take Off: A practical guide for woman in aviation and men who champion change”, the only guide of its kind in the aviation industry, which explores the psychological challenges faced by women in aviation, strategies for overcoming them, and key issues related to career development and leadership.

Anna is currently supporting the ORAT Project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on behalf of IATA, with a focus on terminal operations, trial management and stakeholder coordination.

Asma Naz is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician and Planning Engineer at TIM Aerospace in Dubai. She works in line maintenance — going out to aircraft at the gatebetween flights, inspecting systems, finding faults, and making sure every plane is safe before it carries its next passengers. She has worked on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 MAX at some of the busiest airports in the region, including Dubai International Airport, and gained her early training with Kuwait Airways. She is currently studying towards her BSc in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and working towards her EASA Part 66 B2
license — one of the most respected certifications in the aviation world. Asma built her career from the ground up in a field where women are still rarely seen. She started with nothing but passion and determination, moved countries, and walked onto airport ramps where she was often the only woman in sight. She never let that stop her. Today she is not just an engineer — she is a voice for change, showing the world that aviation belongs to every woman brave enough to reach for it.

Bodor Badroun is a Paramedic at King Abdulaziz International Airport and holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. As one of the first female paramedics to work in the airport setting, she has developed her experience in prehospital care and emergency response within an aviation environment, with EMS operating under the Fire and Rescue Department.

Her professional interests lie at the intersection of EMS, patient safety, healthcare quality, and aviation. Through her clinical experience, academic background, and involvement in research and quality improvement initiatives, she is particularly interested in emergency preparedness, human factors, risk management, and improving the safety and quality of prehospital care.

Captain Intisaar Al Hosni is an Advanced Air Mobility leader, Chief Pilot and aviation training executive
whose career spans commercial manned aviation, unmanned aircraft operations, BVLOS flight
programmes and the development of next-generation air mobility systems.

She currently leads Advanced Air Mobility initiatives at ESBAAR, supporting the development and
operational integration of emerging aviation technologies while also contributing her expertise across
flight operations, pilot competency, training standards and regulatory development.

Beginning her career in commercial aviation, Intisaar progressed into unmanned aviation and became
a pioneering Omani woman in complex BVLOS operations. She has since led large-scale flight programmes, commanded long-endurance operations, developed specialist BVLOS and advanced
pilot training programmes, and trained the next generation of professional remote pilots.

Her work extends beyond aircraft operations into aviation strategy, training governance, safety and
policy, including collaboration with aviation authorities and government stakeholders on unmanned
aviation frameworks, competency standards and the future integration of Advanced Air Mobility.

She is also actively engaged with the international AAM community, including leadership involvement
with the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, alongside professional aviation memberships and initiatives
supporting greater representation and progression of women in aviation.

With experience spanning cockpit, command, instruction, programme leadership and emerging
aviation strategy, Intisaar advocates for career pathways that enable women to progress beyond
entry-level participation into command, technical leadership, training leadership and executive
decision-making roles across the aviation industry.

Dr. Rania Al-Turki is a transformational executive and board leader whose work has reshaped diversity, inclusion, and organizational culture across one of the Middle East’s largest aviation ecosystems. With more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning aviation, financial services, and national institutions, she consistently operates at the intersection of workforce transformation and inclusive growth. Uniquely, she bridges human capital strategy with a robust technical foundation, holding a Master of Science in Computer Science from George Washington University and being a PhD Candidate in Information Technology at George Mason University.

As Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Saudia Group, she leads an enterprise - wide strategy for thousands of employees representing over 65 nationalities across more than 70 locations. Her leadership directly aligns workforce transformation with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, driving increased workforce participation and equitable talent practices.

Beyond her executive role, her national impact is amplified through her active governance. She serves as a Board and NRC Member across multiple high -profile organizations, including Najm Company for Insurance Services, Medical Fakeeh, the Insurance Authority, Vision Bank, and the Makkah Health Cluster.

Eng. Wahhaj H. Motawie is the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation, where he leads the Academy’s transformation into a commercially sustainable and globally recognized aviation training organization.

He brings extensive leadership experience across aviation, human capital, shared services, organizational transformation, and business operations. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief People and Culture Officer at Saudi Air Navigation Services and held senior leadership positions at Petromin and Procter & Gamble.

Eng. Wahhaj holds an Executive MBA from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. He also holds executive education programs at Harvard Business School and holds a Board Readiness Diploma from IMD.

His professional interests include aviation capability development, organizational transformation, corporate governance, human capital strategy, and building sustainable education and training businesses.

Esra Alem is a Saudi communications and PR leader with extensive experience in corporate communications, CSR, and stakeholder engagement. As PR & CSR Manager at Jeddah Airports, she leads strategic communications, impactful campaigns, partnerships, and ESG initiatives. With previous experience in multiple Aviation companies, Esra has built a strong regional track record in media relations, PR, and stakeholders & community engagement. She holds a Master's in Communication from Arkansas Tech University and is passionate about creating meaningful impact through communication, leadership, and social responsibility.

Gaurav is currently working as CEO – MADA Airports responsible for developing, expanding and management of airports business. MADA Airports comes under MADA International Holding, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Al Rajhi Group of Saudi Arabia. Gaurav is based out of Riyadh, KSA.

Gaurav is an Aviation professional specializing in Airports, and having a strong multi- cultural work experience of USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia.

In his professional journey of 25 years, he has worked across several diversified industries including infrastructure, insurance, telecom, investment banking, real estate and information technology.
Gaurav has a deep understanding of the global markets. He is a keen strategist and innovator, with experience in execution of large complex projects encompassing infrastructure lifecycle, M&A, strategic financing, global expansion, strategic partnerships, public advocacy, strategic roadmaps, go-to-market strategies, new business models across the value chain and stakeholder integration. In his previous fifteen years work tenure at GMR Group, majority he has worked with Group Chairman as his advisor. He has been a critical support to the Chairman for rapid expansion of the Airports portfolio of the Group from two Indian airports to eight airports globally, a meteoric rise of creating the world’s second largest private airport company. By virtue of his role with the Chairman, Gaurav has worked very closely with the top management and board members of the Group, participated extensively in board
meetings, and has rich experience of attending global platforms like World Economic Forum, GAD world, Aviation Forums etc.

Gaurav has proven skills in leading and managing cross-functional teams to work in synchronization with the corporate set parameters & motivating them for achieving business and individual goals. Gaurav was also instrumental in conceptualizing and developing ‘Aerotropolis’ concept, creating Airports commercial land monetization strategy and its execution. He has rich experience in complex stakeholder management cutting across government functionaries and public advocacy. On the academic front, Gaurav has done his MBA in Finance and International Business from State University of New York, USA and Bachelors of Engineering from Karnataka University, India. On the personal front, Gaurav has great entrepreneurial spirit, positive attitude, strong value system, high integrity and philanthropic nature. He possess high spiritual quotient (SQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) to successfully lead in today’s volatile and unpredictable environment. Gaurav is also associated with various non-profit social organizations and passionate towards developing greenfield airports projects.

Gema Martín leads the Training Management Service and the Commercialisation of ENAIRE's Aeronautical Technology Solutions at EGS — building the human capability and technical foundations ANSPs need to absorb future traffic growth, from expanding capacity to integrating new operational concepts into airspace planning.

An Aeronautical Engineer with over 20 years in highly regulated aviation environments, her career has been defined by leading continuous transformation, evolving quality, safety and IT systems to keep pace with a changing industry. That same mindset now shapes her work at EGS, ensuring ATM evolution is matched by the skills and systems needed to sustain it safely.

As the Managing Director of AFG Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ibrahim Bushnag brings over 35 years of experience in the aviation industry to AFG, combining senior executive leadership positions with board-level involvement in both domestic and international companies.

He previously served as Vice President of Technical Services at Saudi Arabian Airlines, holding various senior roles between 1990 and 2013. He also played a key role at Alsalam Aircraft MRO Co., a joint venture between Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines, and served on the boards of several international companies owned by Boeing and British Aerospace.

In 2017, Mr. Bushnag founded Al Riyada Engineering Consultant Company in Jeddah, providing aviation consultancy services to clients worldwide. Notably, his firm supported AFG with successful advisory services in 2021 and 2022.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

Ilia Lioutov is Head of Economics and the Middle East Office at Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), where he leads the organisation’s work on airport economics, infrastructure investment, economic regulation, financing, and public policy across some of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

An air transport economist by background, Ilia has extensive experience advising airports, governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders on capital investment, airport charges, economic regulation, PPP and privatisation frameworks, traffic and market development, and infrastructure funding. He currently leads ACI APAC & MID’s work on the region’s long-term airport CAPEX requirements and financing gap, including analysis of investment needs, funding sources, infrastructure delivery constraints, and the conditions required to mobilise private and institutional capital.

His recent work spans major aviation markets across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific combining policy analysis with practical airport-level advisory assignments. He also represents ACI in high-level industry and government discussions on infrastructure capacity, investment, regulation, and the economic sustainability of airports.

With a perspective spanning airport operators, regulators, investors, advisers, and policymakers, Ilia regularly moderates and contributes to senior-level discussions on how the aviation sector can translate rapidly growing demand into bankable, financially sustainable, and deliverable airport infrastructure.

Inderjit Singh is a Global Aviation & Airport Infrastructure Advisor whose career has been shaped by complex airport development, operational transformation, institutional strengthening, and strategic advisory assignments across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America - several undertaken under the aegis of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

This extensive international exposure has provided him with comparative insight into global best practices and their application across diverse socio-economic, regulatory, and geopolitical environments. His expertise encompasses airport operations, infrastructure modernisation, aviation systems management, expansion programmes, privatisation processes, regulatory coordination, aviation security, crisis management, and capacity building. 

Having served in key leadership roles with Airports Authority of India (AAI) and as CEO of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi - India’s largest and busiest airport. He has led multidisciplinary and multinational teams in demanding aviation environments, managing infrastructure expansion while ensuring uninterrupted operations, balancing security imperatives and coordinating diverse stakeholder ecosystems. 

These experiences have strengthened his ability to deliver resilient aviation solutions through strategic foresight, operational discipline, and practical execution. Working across varied regions and evolving geopolitical landscapes has enabled him to gain valuable insight into global approaches to airport development, governance, institutional frameworks, and security systems. 

His professional judgement is reinforced by a strong academic foundation in engineering, management, and international relations acquired through premier institutions in India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brazil, complemented by international scholarships. An active researcher, speaker, and contributor to leading aviation and aerospace platforms, he continues to share perspectives on global connectivity challenges, airspace disruptions, security, sustainability, technology, and resilient infrastructure. 

Through appropriate collaborations with governments, airport authorities, international organisations, infrastructure developers, and aviation enterprises, he remains committed to contributing his experience, research, and strategic insight towards developing resilient, secure, and future-ready aviation ecosystems that integrate infrastructure, technology, governance, and human capability to strengthen global connectivity.

Ivan graduated in Transportation Engineering from the University of Padova and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Management from ESMT Berlin. He has 27 years of experience in the air transport industry, spanning airport infrastructure, operations, airline management and aviation business development.

He began his career as a transportation consultant before joining Aeroporto di Bologna in 2001 and later SAGAT, operator of Turin Airport, as Vice President Operations. From 2009 to 2015, he served as Director General Operations and Accountable Manager of Air Dolomiti, part of the Lufthansa Group.

In 2015, he joined Aeroporti di Roma as EVP Airport Management, overseeing Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and serving on the boards of ADR’s telecom, ICT and security subsidiaries. Since 2021, he has led the company’s Aviation Business Unit with full P&L responsibility.

Ivan is Chairman of UrbanV, focused on vertiport development and Advanced Air Mobility, and a board member of ADR Ventures. He is also pursuing an MA in International Relations & War at King’s College London.

Jaime Brea Moreno is Director of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at ITAérea Aeronautical Business School and Branch Director of ITAérea Middle East. He is an Air Traffic Controller with experience in ATM/ANS training, operational planning and aviation strategy. He has served as Head of Training, Personnel Licensing and Business Development, leading and standardising training plans across 17 ATS units in Spain and Norway. At ITAérea, he develops strategic partnerships and innovative aviation training initiatives, particularly across the Middle East.

Jesus Caballero is the CEO and the Chairman of the Management Board of SOF Connect - the operator of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport. He is also a member of the Boards of Terminal B of LaGuardia International Airport in New York, USA and Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan.

Previously Mr. Caballero was the CEO of Seville and Melilla airports, and was also involved in the management of Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga airports. He holds the record for the youngest CEO of an airport in Spain.

Jesus Caballero manages investment projects for over EUR 624 million to improve infrastructure, passenger experience and services, digitalization, modernization of Terminal 2 and construction of Terminal 3 at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport.

Mr. Caballero is active in the field of sustainable development of the aviation industry as President of the Council of ACI WORLD Fund and as a member of the Board of ACI EUROPE.

Jesus Caballero was selected as the Manager of the Year 2024 in Bulgaria by Manager Magazine and Deloitte. He received Businessman of the Year 2025 Award by French-Bulgarian Trade and Industrial Chamber.

Under the leadership of Jesus Caballero, Vasil Levski Sofia Airport won ACI EUROPE Best
Airport Award in 2025 in the category 5 to10 million passengers.

Kirsty Dias is the Managing Director of PriestmanGoode, having joined the consultancy in 2001 following roles at the Design Council and the British Council. Over more than two decades, she has been instrumental in shaping PriestmanGoode's thinking on the future of transport and growing the studio into a globally recognised practice working across transport and the built environment. Kirsty has led projects spanning passenger experience strategy, sustainable design and transport infrastructure for some of the world's leading operators and clients, with a particular focus on how design can drive meaningful change at a systemic level. She is a regular speaker at industry events globally, championing a future-thinking approach to transport design..

• Business management Vilnius University Bachelor/Master 1995-2001
• German language Vilnius University Bachelor 2002-2006
• Management of Innovation ISM university Master 2010-2011
• UCLA University of California Los Angeles GAP 2023-2024
• PhD Candidate, Vilnius University - Innovation Governance, Law & Communication 2026- “Space and defense innovations”
• Member of EU-Japan Business Round Table
• Member of EU- Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce
• Member of Businesswomen network in Lithuania
• Member of Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts Lithuania
• Member of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialist 
• Member of American Chamber of Commerce in Lithiuania
• EY Winning women 2025 class
• Women SME Leader 2024 by Mastercard
• Most Innovative Company 2022 Lithuania
• Business Women of the Year 2021 Lithuania
• Best Export Company 2020 Lithuaniaa
• Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Lithuania
• CEO of the year 2017 Lithuania

Laeeq Hassan is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has been
serving as Chair of the RICS KSA Advisory Board since 2022. He is currently an Associate Director
at Mace Arabia. A highly accomplished Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Laeeq has over 30 years of
diverse, multicultural experience across Pakistan, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia,
specialising in quantity surveying, commercial consultancy, and contracts management. He has
spent the last 12 years contributing to major projects in Saudi Arabia and has been active in the
Middle East region for the past 27 years.

Malak Trabelsi Loeb is a Dubai-based legal strategist and entrepreneur who leads Vernewell Group and Trabelsi Loeb Legal Consultants. She builds integrated pathways that turn frontier research into policy, capacity and operational deployment across quantum technology, artificial intelligence, space and aviation. Through Vernewell she founded Vernex Quantum Valley, launched the Quantum Innovation Summit and QInnovision Consortium, and established Vernewell Academy for workforce development; initiatives that deliver pilots, industry challenges, targeted training and policy engagement to accelerate regional adoption and resilience. Trabelsi Loeb Legal Consultants provides specialist counsel in international business law, technology transfer, dual-use governance and regulatory risk, structuring transactions and compliance frameworks that enable secure cross-border collaboration. A valedictorian of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, she holds master's degrees in Public International and European Law and in International Business Law. With 15 years of specialist legal practice and more than 18 years of international leadership, she is regularly invited to strategic dialogues and advises governments and multinational organisations on regulatory strategy, dual-use risk, ethical AI and space governance. Internationally recognised for advancing technology adoption and women's leadership in high tech, she received the Women in Aviation Middle East Innovation Leadership Award in 2024. Clients and partners value her combination of legal rigour, strategic foresight and proven delivery capability as well as business acumen.

Marios joined Parsons in 2013 and currently holds the position of Program Director and Head of Aviation for Europe and Middle East. He is described as an inspiring leader in aviation with a successful
track record of construction airport projects. He is a strong advocate of collaborative project management that he is always keen to describe in conferences and press releases. Marios has more than 25 years of accomplished experience in leading roles and more than 15 years worldwide experience in large scale airport construction and refurbishment programs. He has been involved in airport projects in Greece, Albania, Tunisia ,Jordan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Poland,
Australia, Kazakhstan and Singapore. His expertise cover master planning, design and construction
management, program management, operational readiness, due diligence, technical assessment and business feasibility studies.

Maryam Telmesani holds an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School and is a dedicated
sustainability expert who has pioneered multi-sectoral sustainable strategies, practices, and methodologies across deferent industries including; aviation, construction, and fashion. She plays a key role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of environmental stewardship and economic diversification, both nationally and internationally. A passionate advocate for global collaboration, she launched and chaired the Saudi Network of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Throughout her career, she has held prominent roles as Chief Sustainability Officer for several companies and served as a trusted advisor in the field. She is currently the Vice President of Sustainability at SAUDIA Group and an Expert in Residence for the Hult Prize.

In addition to her corporate role, Maryam plays an active part in shaping sustainability governance across the region. She serves as Chair of the Sustainability Policy Group at the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), an IATA Sustainability Industry Committee Member, a Committee Member of the Civil Aviation Environmental Sustainability Program (CAESP) with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), a member of the SkyTeam Sustainability Advisory Group, and a Technical Committee Member of the Oil Sustainability Program. She also holds the role of Vice Chair of the National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy at the Federation of Saudi Chambers.

Maryam has participated in over 70 global sustainability events and conferences, with her thought leadership earning widespread recognition. Most recently, she was recognized as one of the 2025 Powerlist Executives in Aviation by Aviation Business for leading SAUDIA’s transformation toward sustainable aviation and embedding ESG principles in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. She was officially selected as the 2026 Women in Global Energy Transition of the Year, awarded the Women Choice Leadership Award 2025, and recognized through the Sustainable Women Empowerment Initiative Award. She was also invited as a delegate under the Permanent Delegation in ICAO, further elevating institutional representation and international engagement in sustainability leadership. She was previously named one of the Top Inspirational Leaders of 2024, Women Icon of the Year 2023, one of the Top 100 Influential CSR Leaders in 2023, and a Power 50 ESG Leader in 2022.

Max Connop leads Gensler’s Aviation Practice in the Asia Pacific Middle East (APME) region, bringing over three decades of global experience designing high-performance, future-focused airports that enhance both operational efficiency and the passenger experience. A UK-registered architect, Max has led the creative visioning and design delivery of some of the most complex and ambitious airport developments across major aviation hubs in Asia, such as Hong Kong International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.

A recognised creative and thought leader in global aviation design, Max is known for embedding what he calls “green DNA” into every project, ensuring environmental performance and long-term resilience are integral to the design vision from the outset. His portfolio spans full terminal expansions, intermodal transfer hubs, and APM systems, collectively serving millions of passengers annually. With a career spanning Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Max is adept at guiding multidisciplinary teams through every stage of project development from early concept to final delivery. 

In addition to his aviation expertise, Max has held leadership roles across a broad spectrum of project types including infrastructure, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. This diverse background gives him a systems level perspective on how airports interact with cities and the wider built environment. His design approach is grounded in deep technical knowledge, strategic foresight, and a belief that great airport design transforms how people move, connect and experience the world.

Moris Tumwesige is a Senior Manager in Aviation Asset Management at AtkinsRéalis, with over 20 years of experience across aviation infrastructure, airport operations, Facilities and asset management, capital investment planning, and advisory services. He has supported major airport developments and asset optimization programs across the Middle East and Africa, helping investors and operators enhance asset resilience, manage risk, and maximize long-term value. His expertise spans lifecycle Facilities Management  asset management, investment strategy, and sustainable aviation infrastructure.

Oleg Cosneanu is the Director of Architectural Design at Riyadh Air, leading the development of the airline's ground infrastructure portfolio, including lounges, workplaces, training facilities, crew centres, and future passenger experience environments. He specializes in aviation, hospitality, and workplace design, with extensive international experience in delivering complex projects that combine operational efficiency, sustainability, premium customer experience, and local cultural identity. At Riyadh Air, he is helping shape the next generation of aviation environments that reflect Saudi Arabia's global ambitions.

Onur Yamuk is global aviation hubs lead and executive director, aviation hubs at Surbana Jurong, where he leads strategic advisory and capital delivery for major aviation hub programs. With nearly two decades of international experience across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, he has led complex airport and aerospace infrastructure programs through planning, design, procurement, construction and ORAT. Yamuk also serves as program director for Surbana Jurong’s Programme Management Consultancy for Jeddah Airports Company at King Abdulaziz International Airport, overseeing a portfolio of multi-billion dollar capital delivery programs. Combining engineering, commercial and programme leadership, Yamuk focuses on fit-for-purpose delivery models that align governance, risk allocation, capacity growth and operational continuity.

Paolo is a senior expert in airport master planning and infrastructure development. After graduating in
Civil Engineering, he began his career in 1998, focusing on the planning, design and delivery of major
infrastructure projects.

He entered the airport sector in 2001, contributing to the major expansion of Olbia Airport in Sardinia. In 2008, he joined the Rome airport system, where he held key roles in project management, investment planning and prioritization, and design coordination. Throughout his career, he has promoted a more integrated and passenger-centred approach to terminal and airport infrastructure design.

From 2021 to March 2026, Paolo led ADR Ingegneria, the engineering company of the Aeroporti di Roma Group, playing a pivotal role in strengthening its technical capabilities, resources and delivery
performance. Today, as Head of Infrastructure Market Business Development, he is responsible for
bringing the ADR Group’s extensive expertise in airport design, construction and operations clients
across Italy and international markets.

Paolo holds an MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Management and has completed executive
programmes in leadership, project management, airport operations and safety. He has contributed to the development of concepts and design guidelines for major investments involving terminals, piers, aprons, real estate facilities, utilities and car parks. He also played a leading role in the master planning of Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, supporting their long-term development towards a combined capacity of up to 100 million passengers per year. A strong advocate of sustainable design and construction, since 2020 Paolo has promoted green building practices through Green Building Council Italia, serving as a member of its Steering Committee. His work focuses on advancing best practices throughout the construction value chain, with particular attention to logistics and transport infrastructure. He is currently responsible for GBC Italia’s international relations.

Prof. Heba Kurdi is a distinguished Professor of Distributed Artificial Intelligence at King Saud
University, a Fellow at MIT's School of Engineering, and a Senior Member of the IEEE. She is also the founder of Mata Logistics, a smart logistics start-up and was named among the Top 100 Saudi Pioneer Women 2025. Prof. Kurdi earned her PhD from the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University. Following her doctorate, she was awarded a scholarship from Aramco to conduct postdoctoral research at MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She later joined MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering as a research fellow, where she remains actively affiliated. With over 120 publications and eight patents, Prof. Kurdi is recognized among the top 2% of highly cited scientists worldwide, as per the Stanford system. She has held numerous leadership roles, including Chairman of the Cyber Security Master Program at King Saud University, Vice Chair of the Department of Computer Sciences, Vice Dean of the College of Computer and Information Sciences, and Vice Dean of the Career and Entrepreneurship Centre at Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

Salman Badr currently held the position of the Executive Vice President, Infrastructure Advisory in the National Center for Privatization & PPP since January 2021. Prior to that Salman served as Director of Investments at The Saudi Industrial Investments Company (Dussur), an industrial investment and development company.

Salman’s experience also includes an executive leadership role in an international defense logistics company, as well as private equity and infrastructure investment execution in a global emerging markets private equity firm.

Salman holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science with Honors from the University of Toronto, Canada, 2005.

Airport executive and senior advisor with over 18 years of international experience in airport development, private investment, and PPP-based infrastructure delivery across the aviation ecosystem. Extensive track record in structuring, delivering, and operating large-scale airport concessions, with cumulative projects exceeding EUR 27.8bn in concession fees and EUR 12.9bn in capital investments.

Deep expertise across the full airport lifecycle, including development strategy, ownership transitions, ORAT, airport due diligence, and long-term asset optimization. Proven ability to bridge investor, government, and operator perspectives to unlock value in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Held senior leadership roles on landmark airport developments including New Istanbul Airport, Bangalore International Airport, Rio de Janeiro International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), and AlUla International Airport, working across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Recognized for a disciplined, commercially driven approach to airport investments and sustainable infrastructure development.

Stephen George is a Director in WSP’s Investment & Transaction Advisory team, specialising in infrastructure and aviation. He advises governments, public bodies and investors on infrastructure projects, with expertise spanning project structuring, funding and financing, financial modelling, investment planning, PPP procurement, restructuring and transaction negotiation.

His experience includes major airport and aviation projects in Saudi Arabia, including Al Maktoum International Airport district cooling and financing strategies, airport terminal PPP restructuring, Taif Airport privatisation and the corporate structuring of state airport assets. He has also advised on major government and infrastructure programmes, including nuclear decommissioning, defence and public-sector outsourcing.

Stephen previously held senior roles at Deloitte, Grant Thornton and PwC, and holds an LLB in Business Law from BPP University, London.

Mr. Tariq bin Abdullah Al-Ghaziri serves as Executive Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Knowledge Management at the National Center for Privatization.

He holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Risk Engineering from New York University and brings more than 23 years of professional experience across finance, financial advisory, project finance, and the aviation sector.

Throughout his career, he has held several leadership positions and has contributed to the development of corporate strategies, the management of local and international investment portfolios, the enhancement of operational efficiency, and the advancement of global growth and expansion initiatives.

He also possesses extensive expertise in building and strengthening investment partnerships with global investors and financial institutions, supporting strategic objectives and creating long-term growth and investment opportunities

Yousef Al Jaouni Gonzalez is an Aeronautical Engineer and Managing Director for AERTEC in the Middle East and Asia, with 19 years of experience in the aviation sector. He has held senior roles on major airport development programmes across the Middle East, combining expertise in airport planning, design, engineering, operations and ORAT with business and organisational leadership.

Since joining AERTEC in 2018, Yousef has played a central role in strengthening and growing the company’s regional business, developing long-term client relationships and expanding its presence across the GCC and wider Middle East. He is particularly focused on the future of aviation in the region, including advanced air mobility and eVTOL infrastructure, automation, digital transformation and other emerging technologies that are reshaping how airports are planned and operated. His approach combines international experience, local understanding and strong multidisciplinary teams to help clients prepare for the next generation of aviation.