The AEC Industry as a Data Business: The Possibilities & Business Model Transformation

Tembi is a seasoned data and analytics leader and Global Chief Data Officer at Arup. She is responsible for defining and executing Arup’s data strategy to enable the company’s mission of shaping a better and more sustainable world.

Prior to joining Arup, Tembi led the Data Platform, Governance and Operations team at Okta. She is also the former Head of Enterprise Data at Peloton.

Tembi began her career at PwC, supported Fortune 500 clients in executing data strategies as a data and analytics advisor at CrossCountry Consulting, and has dabbled in a few entrepreneurial ventures.

She holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Joseph Joseph is the Chief Digital Officer of Gensler, the world’s most influential architecture and design firm. Since 2016, he has spearheaded digital transformation at the global practice known for its bold creativity, incisive research and meaningful positive impact. 

With a deep belief in a people-led, digitally powered future, Joseph leads a dynamic and high-performing team that drives cutting-edge advances at the intersection of technology, design and experience. Bringing together artificial intelligence, automation, data-driven design and other creative technologies, his work creates sophisticated, future-focused solutions for Gensler’s clients and team members. Joseph’s passion for empowering people, innovating around process and disrupting traditional business models has had wide-ranging effects across Gensler’s global footprint.

Prior to joining Gensler, Joseph held a senior role with Walt Disney Imagineering, where he developed and implemented a digital transformation strategy for capital projects around the world. His work has spanned diverse industries — entertainment, healthcare, oil and gas, sports, aerospace, federal government — and has always centered on enhancing the capabilities and impact of organizations and their teams.

Aside from his role as CDO, Joseph serves on Gensler’s Leadership Operations Committee and Design Synergy Management Committee. A sought-after thought leader, he is on the board of several industry organizations and stealth companies. Additionally, as both a supporter of the Testicular Cancer Foundation and a survivor, he is a strong advocate for cancer education and awareness.

Jason is the Head of Innovation for Ramboll, a global architecture, engineering and consultancy company founded in Denmark in 1945. With a team of more than 18,000 experts, Ramboll is known for creating sustainable solutions across Buildings, Transport, Energy, Environment & Health, Water, Management Consulting, and Architecture & Landscape.

Jason leads Ramboll’s efforts to identify, validate, deliver, and scale new services and products aimed at resolving clients’ complex challenges, and creating a sustainable future where both people and nature flourish. In 2023, he played a pivotal role in formulating Ramboll’s AI strategy. This work involved assessing AI trends affecting the AEC industry and creating a robust plan to capture the opportunities. Foundational enablers of the strategy include development of the workforce of the future, innovative commercial models, maximizing the value of historical data, AI education and the ethical use of AI, reflecting the firm’s longstanding values.

Jason has more than 15 years of experience developing analytical and generative AI systems. His expertise spans natural language processing models for mining historical, technical data sets; computer vision models for vegetation typing and delineation; and, most recently, the use of OpenAI APIs to improve the efficiency of myriad tasks.

A strong believer in enabling business transformation through emerging digital technology, Shankar is an outcome-oriented and market-facing thought leader and digital architect. A former IBM fellow, an innovator and a problem-solver at heart, he’s been recognized with five outstanding technical achievement awards, the IBM Corporate Award, and two Best of IBM awards.

One example of his prize-winning work includes a scale method for end-to-end cloud-enabled transformation. He has tremendous expertise in large-scale digital transformations powered by cloud, data, AI and automation. At Stantec, Shankar oversees the commercialization of digital products and services, and the development of tools that drive internal efficiency. He also supports the ideation of digital products that will be incubated and brought to market.

Shankar holds a Master of Information Science degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Javier is Chief Executive Officer and a Principal Shareholder of BST Global. Javier leads a global team of professionals responsible for the market introduction of BST Global's business software products and cloud solutions. Javier is also instrumental in crafting and implementing the company’s business strategy, overall vision and mission with the BST Global leadership team. In addition to his role as CEO of BST Global, Javier serves on the ACEC Research Institute Board of Directors.

Javier joined BST Global in 1989 and has served in various capacities during his tenure. In 1999, Javier was the primary catalyst in establishing a global vision for BST Global, and since that time, the company has flourished from its roots as a North American-centric business to a prosperous and vibrant global software organization. Today, with the steadfast support of fellow senior leadership and committed professionals globally, BST Global operates across an international network of offices and has clients leveraging BST Global’s solutions in 65 countries on six continents.

Javier holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

Eileen is BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, and a member of the BST Global Executive Management team. In her role, Eileen is responsible for developing data-driven marketing campaigns to expand brand awareness, generate qualified leads and propel sales growth. She is also committed to leading a high-performing Marketing team with the skills and expertise to thrive in the fast-paced AEC software landscape.

Eileen has more than 25 years of B2B marketing and sales leadership experience. Eileen is responsible for managing the company’s marketing efforts, including product marketing, event management, market research, competitive analysis, customer personas, full-campaign strategies, go-to-market planning, brand management, demand and lead generation, content and creative development, public and analyst relations, association relationships, internal and external communications, and digital presence. Eileen’s strategic initiatives drive sales, resulting in brand awareness, consideration and conversion.

Before BST Global, Eileen served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Sykes Enterprises, Inc., where she overhauled the company’s brand and laid out a strategic roadmap dedicated to brand awareness, retention and new client acquisition. Eileen also served as the Vice President of Strategic Development and Marketing at JHS Capital Advisors, where she played a key role in increasing the company’s brand presence and recognition as a leader in the industry, resulting in overall company growth. 

A member of the Forbes Communication Council, Eileen also serves on the Advisory Council for the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa and on the Advisory Board for the University of South Florida Muma College of Business’ Digital Marketing Program. Eileen is also certified in Strategic and Conceptual Selling by Korn Ferry.  

Eileen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Business and Technical Writing from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.