Think Differently: Reimagining the AEC Industry as a Data Business

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 transformation that enables large, complex organizations to leverage innovative new technologies and deliver extraordinary results.

As Chief Digital Officer, Darren leads the global digital strategy for AtkinsRéalis, a world-leading design engineering and project management company that works to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Darren is responsible for developing and scaling the organization’s digital capabilities to help deliver solutions that support strong client outcomes, maximize efficiency and commercial performance, and reduce our environmental impact.

Darren joined AtkinsRéalis from McKinsey & Company, where he was the global CTO for McKinsey’s Operations Practice and Capital Excellence Program, leading innovation on generative AI, software development and data science. He has also served as global CTO at two other energy and built environment consultancies. In these roles, Darren 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 began his career in a startup as a cofounding developer before rising through the ranks to hold a global leadership position at one the world’s largest digital technology organizations.

Kumar is a business leader and technology entrepreneur who has spent more than two decades building and serving high-growth businesses across the technology and consulting industries. He is currently the President of GHD Digital, where he serves GHD’s 11,000 people and its clients.

Kumar was instrumental in leading the global technology advisory practice for KPMG, where he held executive leadership and managing partner roles from 2000–2015. He has also served as a trusted advisor and non-executive director to boards and CEOs for more than 500 board briefings. He is a respected thought leader whose work has been published in top media outlets such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal and Financial Times.

In his spare time, Kumar indulges his passion for jazz music, demonstrating his creative flair and unique approach to both life and leadership.

As CEO of Jensen Hughes, Raj is responsible for guiding the global market leader’s rapid expansion; delivering on its commitment to client service excellence; and inspiring its 1,500+ engineers, consultants, analysts and strategists to develop and deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions that make our world safe, secure and resilient.

Throughout his two decades in the fire, security and risk reduction industry, Raj has established himself as an experienced engineer and a strategic business leader who is passionate about people and culture. Earlier in his career, Raj held leadership positions in various segments of the global fire and life safety industry as Vice President and General Manager of Johnson Controls’ $1B Fire Detection and Special Hazard Product division, and as General Manager of Tyco International’s Fire Detection Products group. At Tyco, Raj played a key role in driving transformative product and software innovation that spurred significant enterprise value.

Raj holds a Bachelor of Science degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland. He is a licensed Professional Engineer. Over the course of his career, he has earned awards ranging from “Top 40 Under 40” in an engineering publication to an “Early Career Award” from his alma mater, and performance awards for accountability, teamwork and technical acumen. He also serves as a board director for the National Fire Protection Association.

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.

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.

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 principal role at BST Global, Javier serves on the ACEC 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.