Reza Pourvaziry is an Architect with over 20 years of experience, including as an international urban researcher focusing on the concept of architecture and sustainability. Reza established the International Art & Architecture Research Association (IAARA) in 2002 to work and conduct research pertaining to urban architecture, habitat, and settlements, with a focus on sustainability, multiple international architecture awards. 

He created numerous development projects and programs and started working as the member of Steering Committee of UN-Habitat’s best practices since 2004. Designted by the Under-Secretary-General of the UN and former Executive Director of UN-Habitat as the First Global Advocate of UN-Habitat in 2016 for his contributions globally. He established the Middle East Regional Center for Best Practice and Local Leadership from 2012 to 2014. 

Presently, he is the Founder and Chair of Urban Economy Forum since 2018, and is working on urban development projects globally. Reza established strategic partnerships between United Nations and the Government of Canada to establish the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park, a collaborative initiative between the UEF and UN-Habitat, supported by the Government of Canada and The Daniels Corporation. The Pavilion was officially launched on April 21, 2020. 

Berry Vrbanovic was first elected as Mayor of the City of Kitchener in 2014, after serving as a City Councillor from 1994-2014.

Mayor Vrbanovic was re-elected in 2018 and 2022, with an outpouring of community support.

He is committed to improving the quality of life for residents in Kitchener and throughout the Region of Waterloo.

In addition to serving on all regular standing committees of Kitchener city council and Region of Waterloo council, Berry is also an appointee and active participant on many local boards and committees. Berry is Co-President of United Cities & Local Governments, President Emeritus (2011-12) of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and is a past member of FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Council.

I have over 38 years of experience in international development work, including over 15 years of work with the UN in in Nairobi Kenya ( UNEP and UN Habitat) engaged in Youth empowerment initiatives, policy and research, CSR, advocacy, program management including development and implementation of projects. Recent work includes a consultancy assignment for the Norwegian Government , a strategy document for UNIDO on youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Very recently a position paper was developed by me for UN-Habitat on Urban Basic Services. I have also conducted housing market studies in Myanmar, Mozambique and Tanzania. Currently associated with Urban Economy Forum (www.ueforum.org) and ICEED Nigeria (www.iceednigeria.org) . Recent engagement: organizations in China and the UN on setting up a Youth entrepreneurship Award. Currently also associated with consultancy for the World Bank in Crisis recovery projects in Nigeria as well with International Centre for energy, environment and Development (ICEED Nigeria) engaged in clean and safe fuel and energy to internally displaced persons. 

Eduardo López Moreno, is co-Director of the World Urban Pavilion in Toronto, Canada. He worked for 25 years for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Nairobi, Kenya, and retired as Director of Research and Innovation. He was the representative of the Agency in Mexico and Cuba from 2020 and 2021.

Dr. Moreno has over 35 years of academic and professional experience in housing and urban development policies, institutional analysis, global monitoring, and equity and urban poverty issues.

Dr. López-Moreno was Chief of Research and Capacity Development (2012-2018), the State of the World’s Cities (2008-2012). Prior to this post, he was the Chief of the Global Urban Observatory (2002-2008) and Senior Technical Adviser in the Bureau of Africa and the Arab States (1999-2001). He was also Chief Technical Adviser in Angola for UN-HABITAT (1996-1999). Before joining the United Nations, he was invited professor in the universities of Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) and the University of New Mexico (USA). 

His qualifications include a Ph.D. in urban geography from the University of Paris III-Sorbonne in France and a master’s degree in urban sociology in the same University. He also has a BA in Architecture from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Emilia Sáiz studied European Studies and Law specializing in international law with a master’s degree in local governance in the information society.

She has worked in the founding organization of UCLG, IULA, since 1997.

 She has lead programmes dedicated to institutional capacity building, women empowerment and decentralized cooperation. She is currently Deputy Secretary General of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and Co-Chair of the Gender Programme of Cities Alliance.

Carlos Moreno, Scientific Director of Chaire Entrepreneurship Territory Innovation (ETI) Research Lab at IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School University

Moreno is a Researcher of international renown. Carlos Moreno earned international recognition as a scientist with an innovative mind, pioneer works and his unique approach on urban issues. He is also a scientific advisor of national and international figures of the highest level. He works at the heart of issues of international significance as a result of his research, bringing an innovative perspective on urban issues and offering solutions to the issues faced by the cities, metropolises and territories during the 21st century. Some of his concepts traveled the world: the‘Human Smart City’, the ’15-Minute City’, the ’30-Minute Territory’. In 2022, he is leading the launch of the Global Observatory of proximities at the World Urban Forum with UN-Habitat, C40 Cities, UCLG and other partners.

Amanda McDougall was elected Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in October, 2020 - making history by becoming the first female Mayor of CBRM. 

Mayor McDougall is a Cape Breton University graduate in Political Science and hails from Main-a-Dieu, a small fishing village on the beautiful island of Cape Breton, NS. It is here that she developed a deep passion for community development and advocacy pursuing a career in the non-profit sector. 

She served as the former Coordinator of the Main-a-Dieu Community Development Association and became the lead on the campaign to have the derelict MV Miner removed from the shores of Scaterie Island. 

This involvement in trying to engage various levels of government to respond to community needs is what inspired her to run for municipal Council in 2012. 

Amanda’s first electoral campaign was not successful, but she spent the following four years learning more about her community by volunteering and taking on roles such as the Manager of the Rural-Urban Immigration Pilot at Cape Breton University. Her hard work and commitment paid off, and in 2016, she was elected CBRM Councillor for District 8. 

David West was re-elected Mayor in October 2022, after first being elected in January 2022. Prior to that, he was appointed to Council on December 4, 2013 to fill a vacancy and was elected in October 2014 and 2018 to continue as Councilor for Ward 4.

He has served the residents of Richmond Hill for years as a local business owner and has demonstrated leadership through various volunteer community positions. With the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, he has been Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, a member of the Board of Directors and also served as Chair of the Chamber. A committed contributor to his community, David has volunteered with Yellow Brick House, Mackenzie Health and the Toronto Waldorf School.

Before becoming a Councilor, David served on numerous Richmond Hill committees and task forces, including: Yonge Street Subway Task Force; Cultural Leadership Council; Committee of Adjustment; RHCPA Marketing Committee; Community Hub Liaison Committee; Richmond Hill Winter Carnival Committee and more.

David was also an active participant in the public consultations held during the development of Richmond Hill's Official Plan and Strategic Plan (2010 to 2014).

Mayor Dorothy McCabe was elected on Oct. 24, 2022. She represents the City as a Region of Waterloo Councillor and is on a number of boards and committees. At the latest AMO conference, she was elected to be part of the AMO Board of Directors. Her professional career includes over 20 years of experience working in leadership positions with Mayors, City Councils and senior corporate leaders, a provincial Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, KidsAbility, Conestoga College and two Chambers of Commerce. Dorothy led and championed the development of the initial Two-Way All-Day GO rail business case — now the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor. As Mayor, she will continue to advocate for improved transit and transportation for all. As an active community volunteer, Dorothy been involved as a board member or volunteer at large with numerous organizations including:

• Parents for Community Living

• ClimateActionWR Transportation

• Glasgow Heights 2 Neighbourhood Association

• Women in Communications and Technology

• Youth Basketball League Coach and

• Syrian Refugee family sponsor

She believes our successful future requires unleashing Waterloo’s potential. Utilizing the diversity of expertise, skills and experience, the knowledge and compassion of the people and

Mayor Mat Siscoe became Mayor of St. Catharines in November 2022, and he previously served as a Council member for St. Patrick’s Ward from 2010 until January 2022. Following the unfortunate passing of Sandie Bellows, he was chosen to fill her vacancy on Regional Council. In addition to his role as a Council member, he spent 15 years as a high school physics teacher. 

Mayor Siscoe has been actively involved in the community, coaching various youth sports teams and volunteering for Out of the Cold. One of his significant achievements as Mayor is the establishment of the St. Catharines OutReach and Engagement Fund (SCORE) - a fund that supports local non-profit organizations in St. Catharines, including the Niagara Health Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara, Young Caregivers Association, Niagara Children’s Centre and others. 

Mayor Siscoe and his wife Chrissy Sadowski have four children: Xavier, Canaan, Darius and Sophia, along with two dogs and four cats. Mayor Siscoe's children and the students he has taught have inspired his political career and his vision of creating a City where the younger generation want to live, work, and raise families of their own. 

Daniel P. Rourke is the current Mayor of Lowell and City Council representative of District 1 Pawtucketville area. He started serving as a city councilor in 2013. During his time in office, he has served as Vice Mayor in 2016 as well as chairperson for public safety, neighborhood services, elections and substance abuse subcommittees.

Dan is employed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Lowell District Court, as an Assistant Chief Probation Officer. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Lowell with a degree in Criminal Justice. 

Along with his professional accomplishments, Dan is a life-long resident of the city. He resides in Pawtucketville with his wife April and children Haley and Zachary. He enjoys his favorite past time activity coaching the city’s youth. He currently coaches for the Lowell Jr. Football program, a league which is offered to the city’s youth for free. 

Jan Liggett was elected to her first term on Cambridge City Council to represent Ward 4 in 2014, sitting on the Economic Development Advisory, Cambridge Arts Theatre and Core Areas Revitalization Advisory Committees as well as part of the Water Billing Appeals Committee and the Post Office Steering Committee. After 8 years as the Ward 4 Councillor, Jan Liggett was elected as Mayor for the 2022-2026 term. 

Jan was the co-owner of Garden Gate Ltd. and Benabec Architectural Precast. As a businesswoman, Jan hired her employees through hard-to-hire programs such as The John Howard Society, some of whom may have mental illness or disabilities, low education, or a criminal past. She is a founding member of the international Ornamental Concrete Producers Association and served as co-president for one term.

Jan founded a philanthropic fund through Cambridge Kiwanis Club, The Fallen Sparrows Fund for families of critically ill children. Prior to becoming Mayor, she volunteered extensively in the fields of art, culture, and especially heritage. She is also past president of Heritage Cambridge, served on the board of the “Grand River Film Festival in its beginning, and is also a past board member of the Kiwanis Club of Cambridge. She was a member of a Grand River Conservation Authority committee for

Pastor Umo Eno is a visionary entrepreneur and a bivocational pastor. He has proven track records in achieving positive results through development of strategic business alliances, identifying new markets and developing business processes. He has a world of experience in operations, finance, strategic management, business expansion, product development, public relations and political involvement.

With deep passion for excellence, his cardinal objective is to build synergy with individuals, corporate organisations, private and government institutions – in human capacity building, maximizing productivity and wealth creation, as well as ensuring strong future growth for national development and enhancement of humanity.

Hasan Kılca was born in Konya in 1970, completed his Quran Memorize training after graduating from Harmancık Primary School. He graduated from Konya Imam Hatip High School in 1991.

He completed Ankara University Faculty of Law in 1995 and worked as a freelance lawyer for a while. He started to work as a lawyer in Konya Metropolitan Municipality in 1997.

In 2002, he was appointed as 1st Legal Counselor and in 2016 Secretary General.

He took part in many big projects of the Metropolitan Municipality. After the New Metropolitan Law numbered 6360, he took an active role in coordinating Konya Metropolitan Municipality's service to 31 districts.

He was a member of the Municipal Council for 16 years without interruption. He also actively worked in various NGOs.

Hasan Kılca, who knows English and Arabic, is married and has three children.

Juan Hobeiche is the current mayor of Jounieh, a prominent coastal city in Lebanon. Hobeiche is a dedicated community leader who has been instrumental in driving local development and improving the quality of life for Jounieh residents.

Before assuming the position of mayor, Hobeiche was known for his active participation in various community and civic initiatives. His leadership is characterized by a focus on urban development, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable tourism. During his reign, Jounieh witnessed great progress in urban planning and public services.

In addition to his contributions to urban development, Hobeiche was also a strong advocate for the development of sports, recreational and tourism activities in Jounieh. His efforts in this area included improving local sports facilities and organizing community sporting events aimed at encouraging youth participation in developing a healthy lifestyle.

Hobeiche's background combines a strong foundation in business with a deep commitment to public service. His approach to governance emphasizes transparency, community engagement, and innovative solutions to local challenges. His efforts have earned him appreciation and support from local citizens and regional stakeholders.

Mohammad Al-Maaitah is an experienced leader with a long career in public administration and infrastructure development. He first served as Mayor of Ader from 1988 to 1993 before co-founding and leading an engineering firm from 1994 to 2000. His leadership in Karak is notable, with multiple terms as Mayor (2001-2003, 2003-2007, and 2013-2017), during which he played a pivotal role in the city's growth. Between his mayoral terms, he managed significant road and infrastructure projects, showcasing his expertise in large-scale development.

He has also been a long-serving member of the Board of Directors for the Cities and Villages Development Bank (2004-2022) and the Karak Development Corporation (1999-2024). Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees at Mu'tah University. Currently, he continues his dedication to Karak as its Mayor (2022-2024), focusing on enhancing the city's infrastructure and quality of life

Born in Istanbul in 1991 and originally from Sivas Hafik, Utku Caner Çaykara is the youngest mayor in Turkey at the age of 32. Mayor Çaykara completed his primary, secondary, and high school education before graduating from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He further pursued higher education, completing Master's degrees in Occupational Health and Safety and Business Administration.

In 2015, he was appointed as the President of the CHP District Youth Branch, and since 2016, he has served as the Secretary General and Deputy Chairman of the CHP Youth Branch. Throughout his tenure in youth leadership, he actively participated in fieldwork across Turkey’s 81 provinces, demonstrating a deep commitment to civic engagement, public service, and the localization of SDGs, helping other mayors understand the importance of SDGs and why they should adopt them in their strategic plans.

In the 2023 General Elections, Çaykara was a candidate for Member of Parliament from Istanbul's 3rd District, where he worked intensively across 13 districts.

In his professional career, he has been involved in industrial product design and manufacturing, providing consultancy services in the same field. His dedication 

Eduardo Ortiz Jasso is a Mexican architect and urban planner, born in Mexico City. With 30 years of professional experience in architecture, tourism, sustainable urban development, and urban planning, he has worked in both the public and private sectors across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ortiz Jasso graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) where he won the Baz Prada Award. He holds a Master's Degree in Sustainable Urban Management and Design from the Iberoamerican University of Mexico (IBERO). He is the founding director of the Institute of Urban Planning of Cancun (IMPLAN), where his Plan Cancun 2030 garnered the city the prestigious "Award of Excellence in Urban Planning 2008" at the World Planning Congress in Dalian, China.

Additionally, he is the founding director of the Strategic Projects Agency (AGEPRO) in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. This agency is a recognized benchmark in Latin America, responsible for implementing large projects such as the Nichupte Bridge in Cancun, which will be the third-longest bridge over a body of water in Latin America, and the Equity's Park in Cancun, acknowledged by UN-Habitat for promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Ortiz Jasso is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the United States and the Federation of Architects in Mexico (FCARM).

Dr. DUMAN has a diverse educational and professional background. He completed his BA in Teaching English from Gazi University in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Business Administration from Istanbul Ticaret University in 2022.

He started his career in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock of Türkiye and later held senior roles at the Ministries of National Education and Youth and Sports. He also represented Türkiye on the UNESCO National Commission and worked with the UN and European Community.

At Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), Dr. DUMAN was the Foreign Relations Manager and Advisor to the Mayor, serving on the boards of key subsidiaries like IDO and IGDAS. He also held leadership roles in Adapazarı Metropolitan Municipality and various associations, including the Turkish Handball Federation.

From 2003, he served as Chief Counselor to the Prime Minister of Türkiye and was involved with Trakya Electricity Distribution Inc. and the Turkish Maritime Organization.

Currently, he is the Secretary General of UCLG-MEWA and Chairman of the Executive Board of WALD. Dr. DUMAN has been active in numerous national and international events, representing these organizations.

Cynthia Lopez Castro was born and raised in Mexico City, she holds a degree in Public Administration from Universidad del Valle de México, a Master's degree in Political Communication and Governance from The George Washington University and a PhD in Public Administration from Universidad Anáhuac. Her doctoral thesis is on Dual Education. She also completed the Emerging Leaders Diploma and the High Command Officials Certification from Harvard University.

Professionally, she has served as Director of Liaison for the Office of the President of the Republic (2011-2014) and as Congresswoman at the local Legislative Assembly of Mexico City, VII Legislature (2015-2017), where she chaired the Education Commission and was a member of the Budget and Public Accounts Commission. In 2016, she became a Constitutional Deputy at the Constituent Assembly Mexico City, where she worked as Secretary on Political Reorganization of Mexico City.

Currently she serves a Federal Congresswoman at the LXV Legislature. She is the Secretary of the Governance and Population Commission, as well as of the Education Commission, and member of the Constitutional Points Commission.

As a Congresswoman, she is very active internationally, serving as VP of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin American Women (Copppal). She was also elected VP of the Young Parliamentary Groups of the World at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which groups more than 1,500 Deputies and Senators from all over the world.

Dr. Amir Ali Salemi is the Co-Founder and CEO of JTA International Holding and is the Chairman of JTA Subsidiary Holding Companies. He was appointed as the CEO of JTA in 2010. He holds a PhD in Strategic Management. He has many years of experience and deep expertise in leading strategic partnerships and investments, setting benchmarks for the larger markets to follow. He was awarded the excellence in business management award, the successful leader award and excellence in quality management award in 2021 from world confederation of businesses.

Dr. Amir Ali Salemi foresight and persistence played a significant role in overcoming the pandemic-related challenges. He was also selected as Entrepreneur of the Year for Asia in 2021 by Global Banking and Finance Review.

Julie was a Labour and Co-operative Party Member of the European Parliament for the North West of England, covering Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. As such she was a member of the European Parliamentary Labour Party and, in turn, part of the second largest group in the European Parliament, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats. Julie served on the Parliament's Culture & Education Committee, the Regional Development Committee and the Committee on Gender Equality and Women's Rights. She is also a member of the Labour Party's Policy Commission on Education and Children. Julie is an active campaigner for equal rights and social justice, and was previously an organizer for One Billion Rising, the global movement to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. First elected in May 2014, Julie previously had a long career in the cultural sector, working with marginalized communities using arts as a tool for wellbeing, empowerment and social change. Prior to being elected as an MEP, Julie had been working with partners in the EU and beyond for more than a decade. For instance, she was involved in an international delegation to Belfast to participate in an all-party discussion about the role of the arts in peace-building processes.

Saeed Sepanta is a seasoned expert in the FMCG industry with over 20+ years of experience, primarily at Unilever, where he has sharpened his skills in Lean manufacturing, productivity enhancement, cost-saving, and Six Sigma. Throughout his career, Saeed has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and management capabilities, driving substantial improvements in safety, quality, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

He successfully led operational teams to achieve world-class manufacturing standards, enhance overall efficiencies, and reduce costs. His key accomplishments include maintaining a zero-accident record for over three years, leading-edge annual savings initiatives, and leading projects focused on capacity improvements. His expertise in TPM methodology and World-Class Manufacturing (WCM) has been pivotal in cultivating a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and sustainability.

He holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Polytechnic Iran. He is well-versed in various leadership and management practices, including situational and inspirational leadership, coaching, and Six Sigma.

Mohammed Yusuf Amdani is a businessman, visionary, entrepreneur, and investor. Originally from Pakistan, Amdani traces his roots to a background in the yarn spinning and textile industry. In the early 1990s, he expanded the family business to Honduras.

Today the organization, known as GK Global a leader in sustainable growth, has an international presence, extending into the US, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Pakistan, UAE and Asia. The corporation operates in the textile, lifestyle, technology, agriculture, and real estate industries.

Amdani founded GK Foundation, embodies the efforts of GK with initiatives in health, education, nutrition, and sustainability. Its high-impact programs focus on low-income and vulnerable populations specifically in countries and communities where GK operates. GK currently employs 27,000 employees directly and 108,000 employees indirectly.

He is a Forbes book author, and recently published his book “World of Opportunity” which offers a deep exploration of the investment landscapes in fragile economies and underscores the importance of driving sustainable economic growth within these regions.

Olaf Weber is a Professor at the Schulich School of Business where he holds the CIBC Chair in Sustainable Finance. He is a Senior Fellow of CIGI and an adjunct professor at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. His research and teaching interests address the connection between financial sector players, such as banks and sustainable development and the link between sustainability and financial performance of enterprises.

His research focus is on the impacts of the financial industry on sustainable development, the role of voluntary and regulatory mechanisms for the financial sector to become more sustainable, social banking and impact investing, the materiality of sustainability risks and opportunities for investors and artificial intelligence as a tool to analyze environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

Larry Law is CEO and owner of Living Water Resort & Spa, Collingwood, ON, which employs over 500 people and attracts over 100,000 guests per year. The resort is comprised of a hotel, golf course, restaurants, time share, fractional ownership and marina.

Larry emigrated from Hong Kong to Canada in 1984. Prior to his focus on Living Water, he was a successful developer and builder in Ontario. He has built thousands of homes in the Greater Toronto Area and was the master developer for the renowned Cornell project in Markham between 1997 and 2003. He has been developing Living Water Resort & Spa, Collingwood, ON, for almost thirty years.

Mr. Kamran is a network system and industrial engineer who has been involved in designing and executing business and development initiatives. He comes with academic knowledge along with comprehensive professional experience in the network, database, feasibility study, business plan and development projects. He is a professor at CDI College and continues to engage in development projects.

Leia Minaker is the inaugural Director of the Future Cities Institute at the University of Waterloo, and an Associate Professor in the School of Planning in the Faculty of Environment. She holds a PhD in Public Health and her research focuses on designing cities to improve health, with a focus on urban food systems and urban design for mental health. 

She is currently leading a research project that uses machine learning to identify high-rise buildings across Canada to develop the first national dataset on high-rises. Her team will link this dataset to environmental health databases to look at how high-rises are associated with health exposures and outcomes in Canada. She served as Director of Waterloo’s Survey Research Centre from 2020-2023. 

Dr. Markus Moos is a Registered Professional Planner and Associate Professor in the School of Planning, Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of British Columbia (2012), a M.PL Urban and Regional Planning from Queen's University (2006), and BES Joint Honours Environment and Resources Studies and Economics from the University of Waterloo (2004).

Dr. Moos’ research is on the changing economy and social structure of cities, particularly generational change, Millennials and the youthification of central cities. His most recent work has examined the factors shaping Canada’s housing markets, the changing characteristics of our suburbs, and the affordability, sustainability and equity implications of present-day societal and urban change.

Professor Wendy Purcell, PhD FRSA is a full professor and Vice Chair Education with Rutgers School of Public Health, USA. Before joining Rutgers, Wendy was at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and continues as a Visiting Research Scientist. She is Lead Faculty of Harvard’s Sustainable Tourism course and has written case studies on sustainability in the sector supported by the World Travel and Tourism Council. Wendy is a Visiting Professor with University College London Global Business School for Health and a Fellow of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, chairing their Sustainability Leadership Academy held at the University of Cambridge. Wendy is Emeritus Professor of Biomedicine and was President of a UK university (2007-2015) leading it to be among the top one per cent of world universities and number one ‘green’ UK university. She was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Medal for Excellence in Higher Education. Her book ‘The Bloomsbury Handbook of Sustainability in Higher Education – An agenda for transformational change’ was published in 2023 and she is Series Editor of 17 books on ‘Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals’ for Emerald Publishing. Wendy is Council Member of the United Nations University, Governing Board Member of the European University EELISA, Member of the American Association of Universities and Colleges, and on ASPPH’s National Task Force on Climate and Health. 

International Relations Coordinator, United Cities and Local Governments - UCLG 

Yehia Ibrahim, born in 1995 in Alexandria, Egypt, holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Istanbul University, where he is also pursuing a master's degree in social structure and social change. Ibrahim has garnered extensive experience across Africa, working as a social worker in various refugee camps. Since 2021, he has been associated with United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA), where he has channeled his passion for social advocacy into helping cities enhance their social policies in alignment with the global agendas, aiming to improve the lives of disadvantaged urban populations.

In his current role as the International Relations Department Coordinator at UCLG-MEWA, Ibrahim currently possesses extensive research and application experience with urban development based on his involvement in cities of diverse MEWA Region. He has tailored his ability to produce research articles and publications leading the way for local governments to enhance their capacities of local service delivery, and their ability to showcase their work on international forums as good practices, earning them global recognition and accreditation. 

Dr. Yonette Felicity Thomas is the founder of UrbanHealth360, an NGO focused on the health or urban populations in the Global South. She is a senior scholar at the University of Memphis School of Public Health.

Prior to founding Urban Health 360, she served as the inaugural executive director of the International Society for Urban Health in addition to being a founding board member and serving as a science advisor for urban health to the New York Academy of Medicine. She was vice president for research compliance at Howard University and the chief of Epidemiology at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health. She also served as the program director for the social epidemiology program.

Dr. Yonette has a Ph.D. in medical sociology and demography, with post-graduate training in epidemiology and biostatistics. She focuses on the intersection of social context and health.

Fazileh Dadvar serves as Chief of Research and Development at UEF and Head of Networking and Capacity Building at WUP, she is instrumental in organizing the flagship Annual Forums at UEF, fostering connections with various national and international universities, and managing developmental projects and events within the organization. She also is leading capacity building and partnerships at the World Urban Pavilion in collaboration with UN-Habitat, powered by Daniels, at Regent Park. In these roles, With a Ph.D. in Regional and Rural Geography, Fazileh brings over 25 years of experience as a professor at the University of Tehran. Her extensive publications span Gender Geography, Regional and Rural Planning, and Tourism Planning, with a particular focus on Rural Tourism. Fazileh has collaborated with international journals for over two decades. She also has a rich background in working closely with local communities, conducting extensive research on rural communities, especially within the context of Iran.

Her areas of expertise include Geography and Regional Development, Geography and Rural Planning, Gender Geography, Sustainable Development, Tourism Planning, and Empowerment of Local Communities. Additionally, Fazileh is affiliated with York University, focusing on the Cluster of Home, Identity, and Belonging at the Center for Feminist Research. Her diverse experiences and academic contributions underscore her commitment to advancing knowledge in these critical areas.

Ruth is a dedicated, seasoned administrator, and experienced curator with over 20 years in the arts sector. Since 2017, she has held the position of Executive Director at Ontario Culture Days, a province-wide festival celebrating arts and culture. Passionate about bringing challenging art to the public domain, Ruth believes in the power of culture to inspire, challenge, and unite communities. Before her role at Ontario Culture Days, Ruth was the founding director of Nuit Blanche Edmonton. She also served as Associate Curator and Head of Public Programs at the Art Gallery of Alberta, and taught at MacEwan University.

Kaitie is passionate about empowering tourism stakeholders to take action toward a regenerative and low-carbon future. As the Sustainable Tourism Specialist for North America, she helps shape strategy and build capacity for destination organizations and tourism businesses. 

Kaitie holds an MSc in Responsible Tourism Management and has diverse experience in destination stewardship, climate action and experiential tourism development. She is based in Kelowna, BC and loves to explore the beautiful Okanagan region. 

Sustainable Travel Writer & Creator, Advocate and Consultant

Dr. Clementine Affana is a Sustainable Travel Advocate and Consultant, and the Founder of The Travel with Clem Brands, a company that supports tourism and hospitality stakeholders in adventure and sustainable travel in telling their stories and connecting with the world. Through its travel pillars : Adventure and  Sustainability through community, culture and cuisine, The Travel with Clem Brands strives to create a world where people travel to connect authentically with the countries and communities that welcome them, and better protect the nature that provides for them. With a global community of 10K+ around the world, she shares strategies, tips and techniques to travel better. She has partnered with tourism boards, operators and destination marketing organizations across Africa, Europe, North America and the Caribbean to help elevate their travel offerings with a focus on adventure and sustainability. Driven by her passion for adventure and sustainability, Dr. Clem (affectionately called on social media) inspires others to break free from social limitations and create the life they desire.

Donna Miller-Ayton is an accomplished Urban Planner and International Sustainable Development Expert specializing in Climate Change. She holds a Master of Science in Climate Change and International Development, awarded with distinction from the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture, and Economics at the University of Reading, England. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, with honors, from the University of Technology, Jamaica. She is pursuing a Master of Arts in Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, focusing on International Relations and Public Policy. Qualifications in Disaster Risk Management, Business Case Development, Ecological Civilizations, and Supervisory Management further enrich her academic portfolio.

In her substantive role, Mrs. Miller-Ayton is the Manager of Policy and Heritage in the Planning and Heritage Department at the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Her extensive professional experience includes positions within the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), the Negril Green Island Area Local Planning Authority, the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Office of the Prime Minister, and as a consultant with the Research Agency for Development and Repositioning, all based in Jamaica.

Karen Kubey is a New York- and Toronto-based urbanist specializing in housing design and spatial justice. She is the editor of Housing as Intervention: Architecture towards Social Equity (Architectural Design, 2018) and served as the first executive director of the Institute for Public Architecture. Kubey co-founded the New York chapter of Architecture for Humanity (now Open Architecture/New York) and co-founded and led the New Housing New York design competition.

Holding degrees in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and the Columbia University Graduate School for Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP), Kubey began her career as a designer of below-market housing. She has received support from the New York State Council on the Arts and MacDowell, and has completed a Fulbright U.S. Scholar fellowship at the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires. Currently Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Toronto, Kubey has taught at Pratt Institute and Columbia GSAPP and was a 2019-20 Faculty Fellow in Design for Spatial Justice at the University of Oregon. She convenes the American Institute of Architects Right-to-Housing Working Group.

Lisa Barrett is Destination Canada’s Director of Strategic Planning. Lisa plays a key role as the organization embarks on a transformative journey to deliver smart growth for Canada’s tourism sector that strengthens prosperity, while enhancing long-term resilience.

Lisa's current focus is on leading the development of a comprehensive measurement framework, the Wealth & Wellbeing Index. This strategic benchmarking tool will provide the industry with a new way to track progress in economic, social, and environmental sustainability and resilience at all levels—from national to provincial and territorial. This Index provides a yardstick to measure the ripple effects of tourism beyond traditional metrics.

In her role, Lisa contributes significantly to Destination Canada's mission, ensuring a measured and holistic approach that ultimately helps the organization realize its aspiration that tourism generates wealth and wellbeing for all of Canada while enriching the lives of its guests.

Prior to her current role, Lisa worked as part of Destination Canada’s Partnerships team, fostering alignment and connections with Provincial and Territorial Tourism Marketing Organizations from coast to coast to coast.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare management, public policy development and

advocacy, Marc is a transformative leader. As the Chief Advocate and founder of K&A Inc., a Canadian management consultancy with clients throughout Canada and globally, Marc and his team serve clients globally across various industries and sectors specifically energy, gaming, healthcare, and agriculture.

Marc has a distinguished career, having served as an advisor to former Prime Minister of Canada the Right Honourable John N. Turner for several years on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. He also served ten years as a hospital administrator in the GTA where he helped to transform Durham Region into Canada’s first system now known as the Lakeridge Health. He was later appointed as CEO of Canada’s largest pharmacy organization, where he made significant contribution including scope of practice reforms for pharmacists and changes to the prescription drug industry including prescription drug reform and an end to cross border reimportation preserving Canada’s multi-billion dollar prescription drug industry. His extensive career also includes roles at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. where he opened relations between China and Canada on linkages in healthcare because of China’s intimate admiration of Dr. Norman Bethune. He continues this work today.

Adeniyi TINUBU’ obtained a Diploma in Real Estate Economics, a degree in Business Administration and a master degree in Business Administration from Atlantic International University, Honolulu, United State of America (USA). Other certificate obtained includes but not limited to Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR).

As the founder of Hudders Field Property Agency based in Lagos, Nigeria, I have been involved in the Real Estate Industry and Financial Management for over 15 years in my home country of Nigeria. During my year of practice, I facilitated and led the team of the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN) in the signing of the bilateral agreement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with some of the leading local associations in the United State of America. I was part of the AEAN leadership team as the National Publicity Secretary also the chairman conference organizing committee of first hosting of the AEAN/NAR Conference in Lagos, Nigeria.

I am a consistent participant in several real estate training programs, webinars, and conferences in Nigeria and overseas. I believe in the training of real estate agents to adopt the best real estate ethical practices and policies. I am also an early adopter of technology in the conduct of property business—Proptech. I am a proud member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), the African Real Estate Society (AfRES), Global Opportunity Ambassador and currently on the board of directors the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-NIGERIA).

Dr Yunqing Xu joined the Department of Urban Planning and Design since 2013. She is also the Director for University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (UES). https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/research/research-centres/ues/ She got her PhD in real estate management from Oxford Brookes University, UK. Previous work experience include international organisation (UN-HABITAT headquarter in Kenya, Africa), university visiting lecturer (Oxford Brookes and Northumbria), senior research consultant for property companies (Winkworth Franchising, UK and Zerstart, China).

Her expertise lies in planning and property development, land and housing policies, property-led urban (re)development, discretionary planning, sustainable and livable cities. Dr Xu also serves as procurement selective review expert for Suzhou government.She welcomes enquiries for PhD supervision in the below areas of research interests.

Jason Thistlethwaite is a Professor for the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development. His research focuses on innovative strategies designed to reduce the economic impacts of extreme weather and climate change. He explores the role of insurance and government risk-transfer in promoting climate change adaptation and reducing economic vulnerability. To inform this work, he has worked directly with business and government leaders in the insurance, banking, real estate, building, and investment industries. Jason is also a frequent speaker, media contributor on Canadas growing vulnerability to extreme weather, and a self-described weather geek.

Jasons research interests are focused on assessing the economic effects of climate change, natural disasters and extreme weather. With a specific interest in measuring local costs of extreme weather, and the viability of property insurance and disaster assistance as a means of reducing vulnerability in the era of climate change.

Oğuz Şen is a distinguished professional specializing in sustainable development goals (SDGs) and strategic planning, recognized for his contributions to both local and international projects. As the author of the book "In Pursuit of a Sustainable Turkey: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Turkey," he has provided a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers at all levels to foster sustainable growth. Oğuz has been a key figure in drafting several Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), positioning Turkey among the top nations in local governance and sustainability efforts.

Oğuz currently serves as a public officer at Avcılar Municipality in Istanbul, and macroeconomy advisor to african governments. His primary responsibilities include preparing project proposals for grant calls, establishing project partnerships, and managing external relations. In his role as a macroeconomy advisor, Oğuz leads the transformation of Avcılar's economy towards a green economy through a series of strategic projects, and providing macro policies on sustainable tourism economy to african governments. He is dedicated to fostering sustainable economic practices and driving the municipality's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Hamed is an active member of Canada’s innovation ecosystem working closely with deep-tech and creative start-ups globally. He’s also an instructor of Marketing and Strategies at the University of Toronto. He holds an MBA and a Master’s degree in Science from UofT.

Bringing a decade of successful experience within international accelerators, crowdfundings, and start-ups, Hamed seeks to create meaningful patterns and models to connect bigger players such as governments, municipalities, and universities, to private equity and start-ups for a broader impact. Finally, he has grown over 60,000 followers on social media only in the span of a few months and his influence on public as a business voice is growing exponentially.

Andreia Rosa Collard is a lawyer with over 20 years of practical in-house experience in both private and public sectors, aiding technology advancement, commercial transactions, innovation collaborations and digital development in various industries, including, Defense, Maritime, Transportation, Space, Renewable Energy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with a focus on a sustainable and human centered growth environment.

Post graduating in Compliance and European and Economic Criminal Law, Andreia is also a registered Privacy Officer by the International Association of Privacy Professionals with expertise in International Trade in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations. Nominated Most Innovative in the ICT Industry for two consecutive years by the GC Powerlist Legal 500, her work in creating, planning, financing, advising and implementing pandemic recovery digital transformation public projects, whilst directing the government´s IT Directorate, enhanced the benefits of diversification in a tourism-based economy, contributing to overcoming common challenges faced by isolated territories.

Co-Author of the Government Program for Madeira Region 2030 and an avid advocate for inclusivity in the digital era, Andreia created various sustainability and digital acceleration policies and initiatives such as the “eQuantum Forum” and “5G Island”; became a digital literacy mentor in the national “INCoDe.2030” program, contributed for the “Seeds for the

Dr. Sonya Graci is an Associate Professor at the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Graci’s research focuses on capacity development, collaboration and partnerships, corporate social responsibility, leadership, resilience and entrepreneurship. She has lead numerous projects focused on resiliency and sustainability in destinations such as Honduras, Indonesia, Canada, Fiji and China. Dr. Graci’s current research has focused on Indigenous tourism and sustainable livelihoods in Canadian Arctic regions.  

Dr. Graci has a Masters in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Geography with a focus on corporate social responsibility from the University of Waterloo. Dr. Graci is also the author of two books. Her first book focused on the greening of the hotel industry and the second on sustainable tourism development in island destinations. She is also the author of several peer reviewed journal articles and industry reports and has been invited as a speaker at several conferences on sustainable tourism worldwide. She is also involved with several not for profit organizations related to sustainable tourism development.

Keith Henry is a Métis person born in Thompson, Manitoba, and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  Mr. Henry has become an international Indigenous cultural tourism leader, receiving recognition as the former CEO of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC). In April 2014, the inaugural World Indigenous Tourism Alliance award recognized the work of AtBC and Mr. Henry’s leadership. He has been spearheading the growth of authentic Indigenous tourism in Canada, working to redevelop the national Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada as elected chair when this organization was incorporated in April 2015. In October 2015, Mr. Henry took the full-time role as the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s President and CEO.  Mr. Henry continues to be recognized across Canada as one of the leaders in Indigenous tourism and has led many new initiatives, including multiple national strategies to grow Indigenous tourism, contributions to the development of national standards on market readiness and authenticity, and multiple research projects on the economic progress of Indigenous tourism. 

Additionally, Mr. Henry was recognized as one of Canada’s 150 Ambassadors in 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Guelph in 2020. 

Brad Robinson serves as the Proprietor and Chief Executive Officer of Thrive Tours, an acclaimed Indigenous-owned enterprise situated in Northern Ontario’s Sault Ste. Marie. Thrive Tours specializes in providing authentic land and water-based experiences. Brad is a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation community. He possesses a Bachelor's degree in Indigenous Studies from Laurentian University.

With a profound passion for Indigenous culture and history, he is committed to imparting knowledge through traditional storytelling, drumming, and singing. Under both his leadership and that of his partner, Amanda, Thrive Tours has garnered numerous accolades for its groundbreaking and sustainable approach. This approach bridges the gap between tourism and education, fostering development and empowering youth through the work of sharing local Indigenous knowledge and practices.

David Wachsmuth is the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University, where he is also an Associate Professor in the School of Urban Planning. He directs UPGo, the Urban Politics and Governance research group at McGill, where he leads a team of researchers investigating pressing urban governance problems related to economic development, environmental sustainability, and housing markets. He is the co-founder of Curbcut, an award-winning online platform for deep, dynamic, and intuitive exploration of urban sustainability in Canadian regions.

He is one of the world’s leading experts on the impacts of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb on cities around the world, and consults widely with municipalities and community organizations on designing appropriate regulations. Dr. Wachsmuth has published widely in top journals in urban studies, planning and geography, and his work has been covered extensively in the national and international media, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post.

Dr Tracey P. Lauriault is Associate Professor, Critical Media and Big Data, School of Journalism and Communications, Cross Appointed to Digital Humanities, and board member of the Institute for Data Science at Carleton University in Canada.

 She is one of the founders of the field critical data studies, the concept of Open Smart Cities and part of the small group that spearheaded open data in Canada. Ongoing research are on the topics of digital twins, data preservation, climate data hubs and data brokers. As a data and technological citizen, she examines complex data and technology systems to make them more just, inclusive, equitable and environmentally sustainable. 

Dr. Giuseppe Tesoriere PhD Economic Affairs Officer at Urbanization and Development Section of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, former senior economist at World Resources Institute (WRI) and UN-Habitat with more than 12 years of experience in more than 50 global cities. 

He was senior expert with UN, WRI, World Bank and African Development Bank programmes and projects, where he led research and analysis, providing advisory support and policy recommendations across a number of fields, including urban economics, mobility, economic geography, housing and innovation in Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. 

As senior economist, he led joint research with Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and GIZ; and contributed to producing official UN documents, like the UN Secretary General Report on the implementation of the Resolution 74/30 on Culture and Sustainable Development; and UN Secretary General's Quadrennial Report on Progress on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (2022). 

Dr. Kyle Farrell is a Senior Urban & Regional Economist working at the crossroads of urban economics, demographics and international development. Widely known for his use of data driven insights and his ability to shed light on the economic role of cities in the planning process, he regularly consults for international organizations, sub-national governments and the private sector.

In addition to his 15 years work experience, Kyle has also held academic appointments at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm) and Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). He is widely published and regularly speaks on urban economics issues globally. 

Barbara Jamison Woods is a distinguished leader in urban development and city planning, currently serving as the President of City DNA. With over two decades of experience in the field, Barbara has made significant contributions to shaping sustainable, resilient, and vibrant urban environments.

Barbara holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Development from a prestigious university. Her academic background, combined with her extensive professional experience, has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of modern urbanization.

As President of City DNA, Barbara leads a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to innovating and implementing strategies that enhance the quality of life in cities around the world. Under her leadership, City DNA has pioneered numerous initiatives that promote sustainable growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity.

Barbara is known for her forward-thinking approach and her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to create cohesive, actionable plans. Her expertise spans a wide range of urban issues, including transportation, housing, economic development, and green infrastructure.