Bandar is the General Manager (GM) and a Researcher at the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Institute (AMTI) at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. Before being named GM in December 2022, Bandar was the director and a researcher at the National Center for Advanced Materials Technologies (NCAMT) and at the National Center for Building and Construction Technology (NCBCT), contributing leadership skills in the scientific and technical elements of major projects.
Bandar earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Building Technology from King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh and a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles. His master’s thesis project “New Flexibility and the Architecture of Time” researched the possibility of designing adaptable buildings that evolve over time in response to their users’ needs and requirements. Bandar received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in which his research focus and interest is in the area of Automation in Construction.
Dr Bhakti is a Chairperson at the School of Design & Architecture, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai. She pursued her doctoral studies at the University of Salford, UK and has about three decades of experience in the industry and academia. Her research paper has received the CIOB best paper award for the most innovative research in 2015. She is the Head of the Centre for ESG and coordinator for the Manipal Environment and Conservation Students Club that received consecutive awards for Best Sustainable Green Campus Audit, Best Sustainability Action Project from Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and was awarded ‘Best Co-ordinator’ for commitment since 2015. Her area of research is net-zero buildings and has led Solar Decathlon ME 2021 and UNFCC Climate Action Plan for MAHE Dubai, and is a coordinator for the MAHE Dubai Seeding Sustainability program that has been shortlisted in the top 20 by MAJRA for the Sustainable Impact Challenge. She has published book on ‘Improving Inclusivity in Higher Education Addressing the Digital Divide in the COVID Pandemic’. Currently she volunteers for the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering team and the Universities Climate Network Group for Youth Engagement. Dr Bhakti has been an ambassador for ‘Women in Construction’, Big 5, Mentor for Emirates Green Building Council Women’s Network and Board Member for American Institute of Architects, Middle East.
With over 25 years of senior executive experience in Business Operations and HR, Cheryl Thornton has held leadership roles across global and regional organisations spanning the Property, Banking, Retail, Education and Aviation sectors.
Cheryl is a results-driven C-suite leader with a strong track record in designing and executing people strategies that drive business performance and support growth. She has led large-scale HR and Operations functions with workforces of up to 70,000 employees, building high-performing teams and delivering transformative initiatives aligned to organisational goals.
Highly regarded as a trusted advisor to Boards and senior leadership, Cheryl currently is a Senior Business Advisor and serves as an Advisory Board Member for CIPD Middle East, a Global Advisory Board Member for the Learning & Performance Institute (UK), and Adjunct Faculty & SME at PwC’s Academy Middle East.
Cheryl holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Education from the University of New England, Australia, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML), the Learning & Performance Institute (LPI), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
An active contributor to both international and local professional communities, Cheryl serves as an Assessor with the Dubai Quality Group, mentors with the Cherie Blair Foundation and the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education and is a Judge for the Emirates Women’s Awards and the CIPD People Awards.
A seasoned leadership figure both regionally and globally, Cheryl is known for her integrity, discretion and credibility in all aspects of her work.
Carl is a highly experienced industry executive with 29 years service leading large scale construction projects across seven countries (UK, USA, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, UAE and KSA). With a passion for our industry and mentoring construction professionals, in 2021 Carl founded the platform Construction Mentor and over the past 4 years has provided free mentoring to over 300+ construction professionals worldwide.
Reservoir engineer gained her bachelor’s degree from TAMUQ and a Master degree on Women, Society, and Development from College of Humanities & Social Sciences- HBKU. Founder and Vice Chairperson of Qatar Women Engineers Association (QWEA). Advisory Board member for College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Advisory Board for the International Journal of Contemporary Management & Information Technology. Inventor of Carbo-EcoGen System which made the 3rd place on The Omani Innovation Festival 2024. Named by Entrepreneurs Herald as one of the Top 30 Inspiring Women to Look for in 2023. Co-author technical paper ‘Petroleum Engineering and Geoscience Integration’ on International Petroleum Technology Conference, 2014. Presented and published Master thesis paper ‘Qatari Women’s Leadership in Oil and Gas Industry ’ on The World Conference for Women Studies, 2020. Presented technical topics globally in University of Boumerdes, Algeria, and University Pertamina, Indonesia. Active community engagement person where she presents to school, arrange for students Engineering camps, and science advocate. Received Engineer of the Year Award-TAMUQ, 2020. Awarded twice for Al-Hasba (second level) and once for Al-Badla (third level) awards. Awarded volunteer from His Highness Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad for volunteering on 2022 FIFA World Cup. Awarded from Her Highness Shikha Hind Bint Hamad for being active volunteer.
Executive Summary
With over 30 years of leadership experience, I am a results-driven professional with a proven track record in real estate management, property development, sales, business strategy, cultural heritage conservation, antiques evaluation, and architectural restoration. My expertise spans leading large-scale operations, implementing strategic initiatives, and maximizing organizational potential. A visionary and collaborative leader, I excel in driving efficiency, ensuring client satisfaction, and fostering cross-functional team success.
Professional Expertise & Achievements
- Leadership & Strategic Vision: Spearheaded operations in real estate, property management, and business development, leading teams to outperform market benchmarks by 21%.
- Major Project Leadership: Directed 360+ real estate and architectural projects, including the prestigious Qatar National Museum project with a 1,200-member workforce.
- Real Estate & Property Management: Extensive experience in managing luxury properties, investment portfolios, and sales strategies across the UAE, GCC, and MENA regions.
- Cultural Heritage & Museums: Chief Officer of Cultural Heritage & Museums at the Creators Union of Arab, leading conservation and restoration projects globally.
- Training & Development: Certified PMP and TOT professional, delivering accredited real estate training on Dubai Land Department (DLD) and RERA regulations.
- Industry Recognition: Keynote speaker at COP28, judge for The Big5 Awards, and thought leader in real estate trends and sustainability initiatives.
Market Trends & Strategic Approach in Dubai’s Real Estate
Key Market Trends:
- Sustainability & Green Initiatives: Increasing demand for eco-friendly, energy-efficient developments and LEED-certified projects.
- Technology Integration: Proptech advancements, including AI-driven analytics, blockchain transactions, and virtual property tours.
- Luxury & Niche Market Growth: High demand for branded residences, waterfront properties, and exclusive penthouses.
- Flexible & Co-Living Spaces: Rising interest in mixed-use developments catering to expatriates and young professionals.
- Regulatory Advancements: Dubai’s investor-friendly policies, including long-term residency visas and 100% foreign ownership rights, attracting global investors.
My Strategic Marketing Approach:
- Network-Driven Real Estate Marketing: Leveraging strong industry connections to enhance property visibility and investment potential.
- Data-Driven Investment Strategies: Customizing real estate solutions based on financial goals and market insights.
- Digital & Social Media Engagement: Utilizing LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to amplify property exposure and market insights.
- Investor-Centric Educational Seminars: Hosting workshops on Dubai’s real estate landscape, investment opportunities, and market trends.
- Sustainability-Centric Branding: Promoting eco-friendly developments to align with Dubai’s growing demand for sustainable properties.
Industry Contributions & Thought Leadership
The Big5 & MEED – Strengthening Global Industry Influence
- The Big5: Judge for the Cultural Heritage Award, evaluating groundbreaking sustainable projects and participating in panel discussions on real estate innovation.
- MEED (Middle East Economic Digest): Contributor to industry publications and advocate for sustainability, digital transformation, and real estate market resilience.
- International Network Expansion: Engaging with policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to drive collaborations and growth opportunities in global real estate.
Leadership & Vision for the Future
- Visionary Leadership: Proven ability to inspire, align, and drive high-performing teams toward strategic goals.
- Operational Excellence: Strong background in project management, risk mitigation, and process optimization.
- Commitment to Sustainability & Innovation: Championing green real estate initiatives and cutting-edge property solutions for a future-ready market.
Mohamed is a GIS & Engineering Digital Transformation Expert with over 25 years of experience in geospatial systems, urban planning, and construction. He holds a Master’s in IT and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, along with professional certifications in project management, quality, and technical training.
He currently serves as an Expert at Dubai Municipality’s Buildings Regulation & Permits Agency, providing consultancy on digital twin, building information modeling (BIM), and geospatial information. Previously, he led major GIS initiatives such as Dubai’s SDI Project, Dubai Digital Twin, Dubai BIM roadmap, and Dubai Horizons, and held senior roles in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Dubai.
Imran Shaikh, Chairman of CIBSE U.A.E, is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of CIBSE with over 15 years of experience in technical and commercial management, energy efficient MEP design, site execution, green building, and energy auditing facilitation, supported by ASHRAE and other prestigious certifications. He is enthusiastic about technology driven sustainable design.
In his current role as Director of MEP and Specialisms for Ramboll Middle East, Imran leads the team and provides strategic guidance to the MEP and Specialism team on a wide range of high-profile prestigious projects including hospitality, mixed use developments in the Middle East region.
Kabbani joined ROSHN, the Kingdom’s premier integrated community developer, as Group Chief Development Officer in 2022, helping to shape at unprecedented speed the Group’s developments across the nation as it is the most trusted leading mixed-use developer. Kabbani is a driving force behind the implementation of ROSHN’s vision for a new way of life in Saudi Arabia, integrating world-class homes and amenities with open and green spaces, all the while emphasizing walkability, sociability, and sustainability.
Oussama Kabbani is a seasoned leader with 33 years of development management experience in large-scale master planning and mixeduse/ residential development projects across the GCC and beyond. Throughout his career, he has led and shaped significant urban design, master planning, and downtown development projects from inception to completion.
Over the course of his career, Kabbani has played a role in shaping cities, including Beirut, Boston, Amman, Muscat, Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh, as well as projects in Kazakhstan and Malaysia.
After completing a Bachelor’s in Architecture at the Beirut Arab University, Kabbani went on to complete his master’s degree in architecture in urban design (MAUD), and then Kabbani complemented it with an
Extended Professional Course in Real Estate Finance at Harvard University.
