Archives: Speakers

Richard Kupisz is an Executive Advisor at the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), where his responsibilities encompass development of the policy framework for Private Sector Participation, capacity building across the public sector, economic analysis and research. He has more than 30 years’ experience as an advisor to governments and private sector clients on infrastructure strategy, planning and transactions in a wide range of sectors, including energy, water, transport, tourism and telecoms. Richard has been based in the MENA region since 2004.

Jennie Bishop is MEED’s Head of Production (Events). Jennie has been with MEED for more than 3 years. Before joining MEED, Jennie worked in senior conference production roles at several large-scale event companies within the UAE and has lived in the Middle East for 20+ years.

Previously before living in the Middle East, Jennie worked in London for 8 years in the Public Relations & Comms industry.

Jennie additionally holds educational qualifications in Business Administration from the UK and is currently studying part time for a BSc in Psychology.

Abdul-Rahman Al Ghabban is a dynamic, highly engaging Senior Strategy and Business Development Professional with proven executive-level experience in developing and driving strategic planning, project development, team development, and business growth within the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing markets, nationally and internationally.

Abdul-Rahman has worked for several government agencies, including the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, among other private-sector companies.

In 2013, he joined Bechtel as the business development manager for Bechtel’s Power Global Business Unit. After two years, he was appointed deputy country manager for Saudi Arabia in 2015. In recognition of Abdul-Rahman’s strong in-country experience and effective leadership, Abdul-Rahman was promoted to Country Manager Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company in 2017 where he spearheaded the company’s growth and expansion in the region.

He moved to Houston, USA in January 2019 to support Bechtel’s Oil, Gas and Chemicals’ downstream and chemical business development. In early 2020, he moved on to be the Deputy Manager of Corporate Business Development. Abdul-Rahman became the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Bechtel’s Manufacturing & Technology in 2022.

Abdul-Rahman returned to the Kingdom in mid-2013 as Vice President of Bechtel’s KSA Infrastructure. In this role, he led the company’s regional business strategy, stakeholder and customer engagement, talent management, and project operations for the company’s Public Infrastructure business line.

Most recently, Abdul-Rahman was appointed president of Saudi Arabian Bechtel Company and regional manager for the Middle East Region. In this role, he will support the Bechtel’s business development and project execution in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Abdul-Rahman is a registered professional engineer, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Executive Education Emerging Leaders from London Business School, and an Executive Masters in Energy Management from BI Norwegian School of Business Management.

Engr. Hussein Hamdy is an industry professional in Structural Engineering, an alumnus of the Ain Shams University (Cairo-Egypt), with a phenomenal journey of 18 years of experience focused on design management, project management, tenders and proposals management. He is commended for his significant contributions in an array of mega-projects including high-rise buildings and mixed-use developments, also affiliated with the Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers and the Saudi Council of Engineers.

Engr. Hussein transitioned from the multinational consulting sector to construction. With his vast knowledge in business development, he plays a crucial role in achieving business success at the optimum level. His expertise has resulted in him cultivating excellent relationships with new prospects, existing clients, as well as local and international stakeholders. He steers the Group’s business growth through his acute comprehension of real estate development projects, competitive analysis, market trends, fundraising initiatives, and his methodical approach in leading a full cycle projects’ phase, whilst implementing and introducing the highest level of technical
knowledge.

His exceptional track record in Business Development Management, Proposal Management, and Project Support renders him an instrumental figure at BEC Arabia. He is recognized for his strategic revenue planning, risk management, and the cultivation of robust professional relationships. His proficiency fosters a positive impact on the organization’s vision, business objectives, and overall operational success.

Paul Pring is Executive Director, Infrastructure at the Diriyah Company, leading the organization’s infrastructure delivery team for its Phase One masterplan development.

Paul has 42 years’ experience managing major international business changes across transportation, power, civil engineering, and construction sectors and successfully delivering major strategic programmes to tight timescales. His work has led him to Africa, Australasia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and the US.

Prior to joining Diriyah Company in 2020, Paul was Managing Director of Bittaford Consulting in the UK and Canada, where he led on change and innovation on multiple high profile infrastructure projects. Before that, Paul was Director of Infrastructure, Rail at Babcock International where he was responsible for delivering engineering and telecommunications electrification across railway lines in the UK, including the Southern Region New Trains Program, where construction was completed in 15 months on a live operating railway. He also held various roles over 15 years at Mott McDonald Group, spearheading business growth throughout a variety of sectors.

Paul holds a BSc in Quantity Surveying from Thames Polytechnic and an MA in Building Rehabilitation from the University of Greenwich. He is additionally a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, a Fellow of the Association for Project Management and was one of the first 500 individuals globally to be an accredited Chartered Project Professional.

Eng. Nawal Alhanaee is currently working as Director of Future energy dept. in Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – Dubai. She is the deputy head of the happiness and wellbeing team and member innovation team in the ministry.

She was involved in the Municipality affairs and projects since 2003, and she was as the Head of building section in 2006. In addition, she was as the head of building section and building material laboratory in 2008. After that, she was as the Director of project dept. in 2011 and she worked as Director of Engineering & Land dept. & head of building section from 2012 until 2017 and her work experience is 15 years in FM.

She is certified ICF coach and she holds a Public Sector Innovation Diploma from Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation. In addition to that I’m Certified Innovation Strategist (CInS) from GINI and I hold training course for Future Foresight from the Saïd Business School (Oxford Saïd).

She is a PhD candidate in British University of Dubai in the Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment (ASBE) program. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the UAE University and she holds a master’s degree of urban planning from American University of Sharjah. Her area of specialty is Transportation, and she has experience and contributions in making strategic plans and studies for the improvement of public and customer services, managing big projects and environmental protection, as she is one of the core team in Fujairah 2040 master plan.

Huda is an experienced urban planning and sustainability professional and is a thought-leader on the topic of sustainable development in Arab cities. Her multidisciplinary academic background and consulting and public sector experience, combining urban planning, environmental science, public health, sustainability and city resilience, and her first-hand experience living and working in the fast-developing cities of the Arab world help her to bring a unique perspective to projects in the region.

Huda holds Bachelor of Science (High Distinction) in Chemistry and Public Health from the American University of Beirut, a Masters of Science in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, and a Masters of Science in International Planning from the Bartlett, University College London. She is a Chartered Town Planner, a Chartered Environmentalist and a member of the International Society for City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP).

Dr. Zaid Alyami has extensive industry experience with key focus on Business Transformation, Operations Management, Asset Management and Strategy Development and Execution. Dr. Alyami has progressive experience in public and private agencies in Saudi Arabia and Internationally. Dr. Alyami currently is at the Ministry of Transportation and Logistics Services, Saudi Arabia where he holds several leadership roles under road affairs key strategic programs including Heading the Roads Asset Management, Roads Operation and Maintenance Transformation Program, and Leading Roads Public Private Partnerships projects.

Dr. Shetha Al-Zubaidi is the CEO and partner of one of Alfahim Avenue Investment Group companies called Brookson Project Management. She has international experience in UK and the Middle East for full range of development management extending over twenty-nine years. Leading and managing a team that coordinating all issues relating to the design, development & construction activities of major projects.

Dr Shetha successfully delivered several mega structure projects on an international scale, totalling to the value of USD $184bn. Dr. Shetha worked for leading consultancies in UK participating in different projects such as Capita Business Centre in Blackburn. Dr. Shetha worked for UAE leading real estate master developer, Nakheel, participating in different mega structure project such as Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Canal and Palm Deira. Also, she worked with Al-Rajhi Group in two real estate companies in UAE, Tatweer UAQ & Tameer Holding Investment.
Dr. Shetha is a visiting Professor in many international and national institutes. Also, she is a Chief Ambassadors for Women in Construction Forum and Awards. She is holding BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering, MSc in Environmental Geo-technology and PhD in Civil Engineering from UK.

Dr. Reem Sabouni, P.Eng., is a highly accomplished civil engineer with over 20 years of experience and currently serves as an Associate Professor at Abu Dhabi University (ADU). She has authored many publications in the fields of structural and geotechnical engineering and has served as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on several research grants. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the Abu Dhabi University College of Engineering’s 3D Concrete Printing Research Lab. Dr. Sabouni’s influence extends well beyond academia. She is deeply engaged with the professional engineering community, serving as the President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) UAE Section and as a founding member and Chair of Women Engineers for the International Federation of Structural Concrete (fib) UAE Chapter. Moreover, she has organized and chaired the highly successful Women in Engineering Forum, now in its seventh round.

Dr. Sabouni holds a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation from Ontario, Canada. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Western University in Canada. She was the first researcher in North America to conduct extensive testing on circular concrete shafts in a controlled laboratory environment. These tests were conducted at Western University’s Large Scale Geotechnical Testing Facility in collaboration with the Ontario Concrete Pipe Association.

Dr. Reem is the recipient of several Canadian awards and research scholarships, including the prestigious Milos Novak Memorial, the Industrial NSERC Scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the University President Scholarship. She also received the Excellence Award from H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for first place in the Class of 2002 at the United Arab Emirates University.