BST Global's AI Summit

As the Chief Investment & Technology Officer at AInvested, Darren advises clients worldwide, offering critical expertise in future business strategy development and transformation, sourcing, value creation, due diligence, post-acquisition planning, exit planning and transformational technology strategy, complemented by bankable business plans. His extensive knowledge and strong market presence are instrumental in driving key transactions and organizational transformations and supporting major global corporations in their future business strategies for digital transformation and AI innovation.

Before forming AInvested, Darren served as Chief Digital Officer at AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design engineering and project management company. Previously, he served as the global CTO for the McKinsey Operations Practice and the Capital Excellence Program at McKinsey & Co., leading innovation in generative AI, software development, and data science. He has also been the global CTO of two other energy and built environment consultancies. In these roles, he helped deliver digital transformation policies that added $100M to the bottom line and developed practical expertise in everything from identifying client challenges to determining how large organizations can best integrate powerful AI and data analytics into their products and services.

Darren is an industry-recognized thought leader on the power of connecting people, data and technology to deliver stronger outcomes and help us engineer a better future for our planet and its people. He thrives on shaping and delivering digital transformations that enable large, complex organizations to leverage innovative technologies and deliver extraordinary results.

James serves as Senior Vice President and Global Director for Water at Arcadis with more than 20 years of experience as a Certified Change Management Professional, certified operator, professional engineer and utility manager. James has a passion for people enabled by technology and an educational background in civil engineering and artificial intelligence. As Chair of the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) Engineering & Construction Division, Chair of the AWWA's Artificial Intelligence Committee and Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) Council Member, he has cultivated deep industry relationships.

Niels is the Global Digital Product & AI Director at Arcadis, where he leads the development of client-facing software and AI-enabled delivery capabilities. He oversees a global, cross-functional product and AI studio organization spanning product management, user experience, data and software development. His teams turn Arcadis’ domain expertise and client-specific workflows into scalable digital propositions.

Niels began his career in academic research, earning a doctorate in sociology while teaching statistics. He subsequently led organizations specialized in data science, cloud engineering and digital products. His focus has remained consistent: translating data and technology into measurable client value. Today, he brings this combination of analytical depth, product leadership and transformation experience to the application of digital and AI in AEC.

Will joined Arup in 2018 and is Arup's Global Digital Services Leader. In this role, he is responsible for leading Arup’s work to support clients as they take advantage of the major transformation in their world that digital and AI are bringing about, including meeting critical sustainability challenges. While at Arup, Will has worked at the senior level with clients around the world and in various sectors, including property, cities, aviation, rail, highways, energy, the environment and technology.

Previously, Will was the Applied Strategy Lead at DeepMind, responsible for understanding the groundbreaking developments taking place in artificial intelligence and working with key partners to apply them for the public good in areas such as health and energy. Before that, he was a senior civil servant, including roles as Director General for Innovation, Growth and Technology at the Department of Health, Director General, International Energy and Climate Change at DECC, and head of the Prime Minister’s Implementation Unit, working directly for former PM David Cameron.

As a result, Will has a wide range of experience achieving change in areas such as digital, cities, health, education, energy and climate change, cybersecurity, growth, and innovation. When he was in government, he also led the creation of the world's first network of What Works Centres set up to provide proper evidence on effective uses of public money and pioneered the use of transparency and crowdsourcing in policy making. Will has also served as a World Bank economist and lectured at Oxford University and Imperial College. He has a doctorate in economics and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath by the Queen in 2015.

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 also serves as the Executive Director for BST Global’s AI + Data Consortium.

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.

One of the most proven and dynamic leaders in the design technology profession, Brooke is resolute in her pursuit of new ideas and ingenuity. As the Chief Information Officer of CannonDesign, Brooke keeps her teams at the leading edge of how physical and digital environments can inform one another.

Under her leadership, CannonDesign has built its own generative AI tool, forged unexpected and impactful partnerships with leading tech companies like D-Wave Quantum and successfully infused AI into the design process — all to give designers value-added time back. Her efforts are a major reason CannonDesign has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company and Fortune.

Beyond her work at CannonDesign, Brooke is the Executive Chair of the Innovation Design Consortium (IDC), an alliance of 40+ leading architecture firms focused on how technology can positively disrupt the AEC industry via scalable solutions. She has built IDC into a platform for collaboration, helping CEOs and executives embrace data- and AI-driven innovation.

An optimistic, empathetic leader, Brooke inspires individuals, teams, and organizations to think boldly, act collaboratively and lead with purpose.

Xavier is the Technical Director for the Buildings Service Line at Egis, a leading international engineering, consulting, and infrastructure group. A structural engineer by background, he spent the early part of his career designing and delivering complex building projects, with special expertise in timber structures and multidisciplinary building engineering.

His work has expanded beyond structural design into environmental performance, embodied carbon reduction, and energy efficiency. Today, Xavier leads technical excellence and innovation across Egis' global Buildings business, working with multidisciplinary teams in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, helping them adopt and scale rapidly evolving technologies.

Xavier is closely involved in the group's adoption of artificial intelligence, prototyping and testing tools himself. His interests lie at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and artificial intelligence. As the sponsor of several AI-driven innovation initiatives, Xavier supports the development of approaches combining engineering knowledge, machine learning, and generative technologies. He believes the real value of AI in the AEC industry is to augment judgment, helping engineers make better technical decisions, explore more design alternatives, and optimize projects.

As the CIO at EllisDon, Brandon is pioneering the future of construction. His dedication to digital innovation and data-driven solutions is reshaping construction technology (ConTech). An entrepreneur at heart with a zeal for enhancing performance, Brandon implements strategic initiatives that significantly boost profitability.

Brandon is committed to propelling his teams to new heights in data, artificial intelligence, technology and venture capital by making strategic investments and forging key partnerships. His diverse career, which includes tenures at industry giants like Merrill Lynch, AirMiles and Cadillac Fairview, has equipped him to be a dynamic leader with a broad skill set.

Throughout his career, Brandon has developed a passion for merging business insights with cutting-edge technology. His drive and extensive expertise have been instrumental in advancing his professional journey. Whether it's in customer support, leading organizational transformation or innovating in the payments sector, Brandon brings a rich blend of technical knowledge and business strategy to the table, driving change and nurturing valuable partnerships in the industry.

Paul is GHD’s Chief Information Officer, with executive responsibility for the firm’s global technology strategy and digital platforms that support client delivery, collaboration and innovation.

Paul began his career as a civil engineer and Australian Army officer before joining GHD, where he progressed through senior project, operational and technical leadership roles. He has lived and worked in Australia, the United States, and Papua New Guinea and supported projects across PNG, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UAE, and Qatar as a consultant, military/civil engineer, security consultant and technology leader.

Most recently, Paul has been leading GHD’s involvement in the inaugural cohort of the Frontier Firm AI Initiative — a collaboration between Microsoft and Harvard Business School’s Digital Data Design (D^3) institute.

Michele is an accomplished technology executive and currently serves as Chief Information Officer at HGA, a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm. As CIO, Michele oversees the full scope of HGA’s enterprise technology portfolio. In addition to advancing digital workflows to support areas of practice, she is also responsible for operational, marketing, and finance systems, digital infrastructure, security, desktop support and IT governance — ensuring seamless integration, resilience and security across all business platforms.

At HGA, Michele partners with executive leadership to define and deliver technology strategies that advance the firm’s long-term goals and drive innovation for clients and communities. She leads cross-functional teams in harnessing data, automation, and artificial intelligence to enable transformative solutions, optimize project delivery and create lasting value across diverse industry sectors. With a career spanning executive roles in technology leadership, product management and operational transformation, Michele has implemented scalable digital platforms that enhance both client and user experiences.

Michele serves as a representative for the Innovation Design Consortium, a major collaborative of 40+ leading AE firms dedicated to advancing the industry through technology innovation.

Heath is Chairman and CEO at HKS, where he champions the firm’s belief that design is most meaningful when it creates the conditions for people, communities and environments to thrive. During his 20+ years at HKS, Heath has faithfully elevated the firm’s reputation for computational design, research and innovation. Previously the Global Practice Director of HKS LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration), he specializes in data-driven design optimization, simulation and digital fabrication and has led projects spanning diverse sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, urban infrastructure and sports. A former Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington, a frequent contributor to leading publications that explore advancements in digital practice and a patent holder for digital stamping and sealing of architectural documents, Heath is widely recognized for his leadership in shaping the future of our industry and for inspiring the next generation of designers.  

He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Michael is Senior Vice President and Enterprise AI Lead at Jacobs, where he is responsible for driving the company’s global AI strategy and ensuring the responsible, secure and impactful adoption of AI across all facets of the business. Michael oversees the enterprise AI ecosystem that spans Jacobs’ internal efficiency initiatives, client-facing solutions, project delivery and cross-functional innovation. In this capacity, he ensures the company’s technology investments align with its long-term strategic goals.

With nearly two decades of experience in data science, AI, data engineering and geospatial technology, Michael has led numerous digital transformation initiatives that integrate advanced analytics and automation into critical infrastructure, environmental and transportation projects. His leadership has been instrumental in the creation and launch of Jacobs’ external AI and machine learning solutions, as well as the evolution of Jacobs AI, the company’s enterprise-wide AI assistant and innovation platform.

Before returning to Jacobs in 2016, Michael served as Chief Technology Officer at a robotics and AI startup, where he led product development and strategy at the intersection of autonomous systems and data intelligence. Earlier in his career, he held technical and leadership roles at Jacobs and CH2M Hill, where he developed data-driven tools to improve operational resiliency and environmental outcomes.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science from the University of California, Irvine. He is passionate about fostering collaboration between technologists and domain experts to responsibly scale AI and empowering organizations to think bigger so they can deliver smarter, data-informed outcomes for a more connected and sustainable world.

James is the AI Development Lead at Knight Piésold and a practicing specialist engineer with 15 years in energy and water infrastructure. He works on major hydropower projects internationally while leading the team that built and operates the firm's global AI platform for approximately 1,400 staff. He writes about computational engineering and AI tooling for professional engineers through the "Flocode" newsletter.

James earned a Master of Science in Advanced Structural Engineering from Edinburgh Napier University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the United States and Canada.

Nasrine is the Head of AI & Information Management at Mott MacDonald, responsible for defining and delivering the company’s vision for both AI and enterprise information management. In this role, Nasrine leads the development of an integrated enterprise architecture, ensuring robust governance and data management to accelerate the adoption and value of AI across the organization.

With a background in water engineering and a passion for leveraging technology for better outcomes, Nasrine transitioned to the digital domain to inspire Mott MacDonald’s engineers to embrace smarter, more innovative approaches. She is focused on harnessing the transformative power of AI while navigating the complexities of enterprise-wide information systems. Nasrine champions responsible AI principles, ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability are woven into every AI solution. Her approach balances the immense opportunities of AI with strong risk management, cross-functional collaboration and global engagement.

Throughout her career, Nasrine has led various innovative projects, including the deployment of Mott MacDonald’s virtual assistant, EMMA, which supports knowledge sharing across the company. She also managed projects involving real-time decision support systems, such as the Safeswim water quality prediction tool in New Zealand and a flood forecasting platform for Bangkok.

Nasrine's dedication to innovation and commitment to smarter solutions have established her as a key leader in AI and digital transformation at Mott MacDonald. She believes that strategically managed data and AI offer a unique opportunity to transform how organizations think, collaborate and build solutions for tomorrow’s world.

Kristen is NBBJ's Technology Futures Director, leading the firm's Data & AI strategy across a 600-person global practice. She develops the organizational vision for Data & AI capability, guides the use case portfolio from concept through delivery, and advises firm leadership on technology risk, competitive positioning and investment decisions. As the primary bridge between technical teams and executive leadership, she translates emerging technology signals into actionable strategy, organizational change and long-range foresight that positions the firm ahead of industry shifts.

Beyond strategy, Kristen is deeply engaged in shaping how the architecture and design industry navigates the transition to AI-augmented practice. She serves on the AIA AI Task Force and plays an active role in the Innovation Design Consortium (IDC), where she collaborates with peer firms on shared research, governance and AI adoption strategy across AEC practice. A frequent speaker and contributor to the emerging discourse around AI in design, she served as Technical Chair for the ACADIA 2024 conference in Banff and regularly appears on panels at the intersection of technology, practice and the future of the built environment.

Kristen is also an avid educator, teaching courses on design technology, strategic foresight and design futures at institutions, including the University of Calgary. Through her teaching and industry engagement, she works to equip the next generation of designers and technologists with the frameworks to navigate an increasingly complex and AI-shaped built environment.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria, a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary, where she received the Student Gold Medal for highest distinction in scholarship at graduation, and a Master of Environmental Design with a focus on Robotic Fabrication and Circular Design.

Matt leads OpenAI’s work with enterprises across private equity, business services, media and entertainment, and telecommunications. He works with investors to create value across their portfolios, partners with business services and consulting firms to build and grow AI-powered businesses, and helps media and telecommunications companies reimagine how they operate and engage their customers. Across these industries, Matt focuses on making the OpenAI platform a foundation for enterprise transformation and sustained competitive advantage.

Before joining OpenAI, Matt spent more than a decade at Salesforce, where he led the Professional Services vertical. He worked closely with global consulting firms, strategic partners, and enterprise customers to develop industry partnerships, expand go-to-market businesses and navigate large-scale business transformation. Earlier in his career, he worked in financial management at GE and as a management consultant at Deloitte.

Jonathan joined Populous in 2022 as Global Head of Digital, overseeing digital transformation efforts internally and productization/partnership efforts externally. This senior role supports the global Holdings Board through the development, evaluation and evolution of a technological vision and strategy to develop and enhance all digital services and products.

While Jonathan is an architect by training, his career has spanned both architecture and construction as well as software development, manufacturing and academia. As an academic and researcher, Jonathan has been published extensively on the topics of prefabrication, generative design, digital fabrication and augmented reality.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Master of Construction Practice from Bond University in Robina, Australia.

Avon is the Global Chief Digital Officer at Sequoia Capital and Co-Founder of Manifest, a Sequoia-incubated enterprise AI company. Before joining Sequoia Capital, Avon was the first CIO at Rubrik and spent more than eight years at VMware running business technologies. His current interests center on leveraging AI to drive user productivity and modernize core infrastructure and security operations. He was named a Computerworld Premier 100 Technology Leader.

David is Chief Information Officer at Trilon Group, one of the fastest growing firms in the AEC industry. Under David’s leadership, Trilon is advancing a connected digital ecosystem that brings together common systems, shared cybersecurity, modern data and analytics capabilities, and AI-powered workflows and insights. His work focuses on creating scalable platforms that improve operational performance and enhance how engineers, designers, and clients work together to deliver better projects.

Before joining Trilon, David served as the global leader for the Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate industry vertical at Amazon Web Services (AWS), helping some of the world’s largest firms modernize their digital delivery and cloud strategies. He also served as CIO at AECOM, where he led global technology transformation initiatives.

David is passionate about harnessing technology to create lasting value by bridging innovation, human collaboration, and the built environment to shape the future of infrastructure.

Summer is the Senior Vice President of Data and AI at Worley. She leads the development of AI, analytics, data platforms, and data governance practices to create value for Worley and its customers.

With 20 years of experience in AI, machine learning and data science, Summer has overseen numerous innovative projects that utilize these technologies to provide advanced solutions. Her efforts have significantly advanced Worley's capabilities in AI. Additionally, she chairs Worley’s Responsible AI Council.

Summer earned her PhD in Computational and Applied Mathematics from Rice University and began her career in scientific consulting within the defense industry. During this time, she received a certificate of recognition for her outstanding contributions to the US Navy ALMDS program. She then transitioned to the HR and staffing sector as a senior data scientist before moving into data leadership and corporate strategy roles, where she revolutionized the implementation of innovative data solutions.

Jay is an Executive Director and U.S. Digital Lead at WSP and the firm’s Global Smart Places Lead, working with project teams to support clients in harnessing data, digital twins, and connected infrastructure to improve safety, operations, sustainability and user experience. He brings more than 20 years of experience at WSP, with a focus on digital transformation, smart city strategy, and infrastructure innovation, leading strategies and delivery that turn technology into measurable outcomes. Internally, Jay establishes the digital strategies for WSP's regional and global offering and translates them into executed programs and operational results for the firm.