Salome Tsurtsumia
Deputy Chairperson at the Roads Department of Georgia under the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia
Salome Tsurtsumia has been assigned to the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Roads Department of Georgia since March 2021. She is responsible for legal, procurement, environmental and social safeguard related issues in infrastructure projects. Throughout the years, she has acquired experience in dispute resolution, litigation, and arbitration cases in large-scale projects under the FIDIC, MDBs, and national contracts.
Ms. Tsurtsumia has more than 13 years of working experience in public agencies, including the judiciary system. Prior to her promotion she was the Head of the Legal Department at the Roads Department of Georgia.
Ms.Tsurtsumia has more than 8 years of teaching experience. She is an associate professor and author of several publications and researches. She graduated from the Tbilisi State University, summa cum laude, Ph.D. in law.
Guga Kakabadze
Deputy Director of the Water Supply Company of Georgia
Guga Kakabadze has many years of experience working in the public sector. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Director of the Water Supply Company, he held a number of responsible positions at the Georgian Roads Department.
In 2018-2021, he was the Head of the Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project Management Service, funded by donor organizations, in the Roads Department of Georgia.
Prior to that, he was an Acting Deputy Head of the Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project Management Service, funded by the donor organizations of the Department of Roads of Georgia. In 2017-2021, he held the positions of Head of the Road Construction Reconstruction and Modernization Project Management Division in the same agency, and, in 2013-2017, he was the Head of the Road Construction Division.
Guga Kakabadze is a road engineer. He holds a Master's degree in Road Construction, Aerodromes, Bridges and Tunnels, and Road Engineering (Transportation) from the Georgian Technical University.
Vaja Khidasheli
Chairman of Supervisory Board, JSC "Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation", Georgia
Irakli Khergiani
President of the Georgian Association of Consulting Engineers, Georgia
Founder and Director of Intelligent Solutions LLC
Irakli Khergiani is the Founder and Director of Intelligent Solutions LLC. Being a distinguished engineer and leader in the construction field, with a wealth of experience and expertise Irakli leads a dynamic team in executing innovative and complex construction projects with precision and efficiency. As a member of the FIDIC President's List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators, he brings a unique perspective to construction law and dispute resolution. Additionally, Irakli serves as the President of the Georgian Association of Consulting Engineers, where he champions excellence and collaboration within the construction community contributing to the spread of knowledge and expertise in the Infrastructure society in Georgia and beyond.
Tea Melikadze
Associate Director EBRD, Georgia
Tea has more than 15 years of experience of working in the infrastructure and energy sectors, for both public and private sectors. She is an Associate Director in EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group, covering the Caucasus region. Tea is in charge of project development and portfolio management for various infrastructure sub-sectors, including transport, waste management, water and wastewater.
Tea was one of the originators of the EBRD Green Cities, which offers more than € 5 billion of EBRD and donor support to cities in the EBRD region to address their most pressing environmental challenges through targeted investment, policy actions and capacity building. Launched in 2016, to date ca 60 cities joined EBRD Green Cities, committed toward their transition to green, low-carbon and resilient futures.
Davit Tabidze
Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia
Irakli Beridze
CEO of the CMC LLC, Georgia
Mr. Irakli Beridze boasts over 20 years of dynamic leadership in construction. With a background in architecture from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts and an MSc in Real Estate from Reading University (UK), he's led numerous large-scale projects from conception to completion. His expertise spans project management, strategic planning, and business development. Mr. Beridze drives company strategy, oversees daily operations, and ensures projects meet quality and budget standards. A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, he advocates for sustainable practices and embraces technology for enhanced efficiency. Known for integrity and collaboration, he's committed to empowering his team and driving positive change in the construction industry.
Nils Hanfstingl
Managing Director at FTI Consulting and a member of the forensic and litigation practice, Munich, Germany
Nils has over 15 years’ experience as project controller, planner and delay analyst within the construction and engineering industry particularly within the energy, infrastructure, and pharmaceutical sectors.
He is recognized as recommend expert witness by Who's Who Legal in the Arbitration 2024 listing, peers and clients have praised him as “deeply committed practitioner delivering excellent results” while being “able to bring complex issues to comprehensible points”.
His non-contentious project and advisory experience includes the planning, scheduling and management of various international large scale infrastructure projects using forensic and prospective data and risk analysis methodologies.
Irakli Urushadze
General Director at Gravita LLC, Georgia
Irakli has over 15 years of experience in the construction field.In 2017, he earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from one of the top business schools in Europe, INSEAD.
Overseeing the implementation of large-scale construction projects while occupying a managerial position:
Gravita LLC
General Director
· Porsche Center Tbilisi Construction
· Volvo Center Tbilisi, Mazda Center Tbilisi, Tegeta Motors Vake Service Center
· Chkondideli Residence (Client “M2”)
· Eastern Partnership European School
· MAN Service Center
CMC (Construction Management Company)
Commercial and Financial Director
· New HQ of TBC on Lisi Lake Tbilisi
· Le Meridien Hotel Batumi
· Batumi Stadium
· Radisson Red Tbilisi
· Hilton Garden Inn Tbilisi
United Water Supply Company of Georgia
Deputy Director, CEO
· Projects Portfolio - USD 700 Million
Dariali Energy JSC
CEO
· Construction of 108 MW Hydro Power Plant
Mariam Dvalishvili
Administrative Head at a Construction Company Anagi, Georgia
In 2018, she achieved a Master's degree in Law from the "University of Georgia". Her Bachelor's degree in also in Law from the same institution.
Dvalishvili boasts a prolific publication, with notable contributions such as her work on "Human Rights as Law and Human Rights as World Order," presented within the framework of the Netzwerk Ost-West exchange program between the law faculties of "Humboldt University" in Berlin and "Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University."
Her professional journey encompasses roles as a legal practitioner within both, public and private sectors. Notably, in terms of international experience, she has served as a pivotal member of the esteemed charity organization "Campus Lions Club Tbilisi" since its inception in 2013, playing an integral role in its establishment and governance.
Joining Construction Company Anagi in 2016, Dvalishvili swiftly ascended to the role of Chief Legal Officer by 2018, subsequently assuming the esteemed position of Administrative Head of Anagi Group in 2023.
Prashant Kapila
Member of the FIDIC Board.
Managing Director at Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd headquartered in New Delhi, India
With over 23 years of global experience in the industry, Prashant has made significant strides with numerous consultancy assignments in over 50 countries. He is a strategic and visionary leader, committed to driving business success through a focus on people, innovation, and execution. He is a member of the FIDIC Board, which further solidifies his influence on the global engineering landscape.
He is deeply passionate about contributing to the growth of the Consulting Engineering Industry, particularly in Developing Economies where infrastructure needs are pressing. He is committed to embracing digitalization and creating a platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and best practices that will propel the industry forward.
Izabella Muradyan
Project Manager
Road Department Fund, Armenia
Project Manager of NSRCIP T2 Project (8 km section) and T4 Kajaran Tunnel at the Road Department Fund, Armenia Mrs. Izabella Muradyan is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) with academic background of mathematician – economist. Izabella worked as the project manager of Sadakhlo-Bagratashen crossing point bridge construction project which was completed in August 2022, which is an international project with loan means of European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. Currently Izabella is the project manager of North-South Road Corridor Investment Program Tranche 2 Agarak bypass section financed by Asian Development Bank, Kajaran Tunnel project financed by EDB and Ajapnyak metro station construction project financed by state budget of Republic of Armenia. Izabella has a long managerial experience as a head of an operational department, after which she has been certified as a project manager in 2018, and since 2020 is employed a practical project manager in the sphere of construction. She has certificates of Road Safety Auditor, Contract Management and Procurement, FIDIC Conditions of Contract, Social and Environmental Safeguards of the Projects and many others.
Dr. Rafal Morek
Dr. Rafal Morek (LL.M. in Law and Technology at University of Ottawa) is a Partner at CMS and Head of Arbitration, Poland.
He is registered as an advocate in Poland and as a foreign lawyer in Scotland. Dr Morek has taken part, as an arbitrator or attorney-in-fact in over 120 proceedings conducted in accordance with the rules of ICC, ICSID, SCC, VIAC, DIS, CAS in Lausanne, SA KIG, Lewiatan, UNCITRAL and others. He is also a mediator and a mediation coach, and often acts as a negotiator or as a member of Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Boards (DAABs). He is Vice-Chairman of the Arbitration Council of the Court of Arbitration at the Polish Chamber of Commerce, an officer of the Arbitration Committee of the International Bar Association, and a member of the Arbitration Council of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS). His construction practice focuses on advising on infrastructure projects, including risk management and dispute avoidance. He is a member of EFCA Green Deal Committee and FIDIC Task Group 15, and a co-author of “FIDIC Golden Principles” (2019). He is recommended by international rankings: Chambers, Legal 500 and Who's Who Legal (Arbitration: Global Leader).
Asel El Housan
Managing Director of AEH Consultancy L.L.C., UK
Asel El Housan is a Civil Engineer and a veteran of the international construction industry with more than twenty-eight years of experience in the construction field. She is the founder and the Managing Director of AEH UK Limited. She is an arbitrator and expert witness. Her experience ranges in between many countries including UAE, UK, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, and Nepal. Asel is a FIDIC affiliate member and certified trainer, she is also a member of many associations like DRBF, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Society of Construction Law, Adjudication Society, and Scottish arbitration centre.
Asel was a speaker at many conferences including FIDIC Users Conference, Adjudication Society Conference, DRBF Annual International Conference, CIArb, Alternative Dispute Resolution International Conference, and many others. Asel has long experience in claims, variations, settlement agreements, and construction dispute resolution both litigation and arbitration and an outstanding experience in different types of Contracts (EPC Turnkey, Design & Build, Construction, DBO, DBOT, DBOO, PPP, Consultancy Agreements & Sub-agreements, and Subcontracts.
Yakub Sharipov
Senior Associate at Centil Law Firm, Uzbekistan
Yakub is a head of construction and real estate practice at Centil Law Firm (Uzbekistan). He has extensive construction and energy experience in an international law firm, major oil & gas company and pro bono. Yakub has in-depth knowledge and understanding of international construction law and international best practices. Along with transactional work, Yakub also closely works with the firm’s dispute resolution team advising on cross-border disputes related to construction, energy transactions, project finance, etc.
Yakub’s extensive experience includes advising Uzbekistan’s largest project owners, foreign contractors, PMC contractors, and financial institutions enabling him to address various issues from different perspectives.
Yakub is active in capacity-building projects and public webinars where he promotes the use of FIDIC forms and construction adjudication in the CIS region and beyond. He conducts training sessions for corporate clients on using international forms of construction contracts and lectures at University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent.
Kirill Lonovenko
Contract and Procurement Manager (Oil and Gas, Green Energy, EPC, FIDIC, CESMM4), Kazakhstan
Kirill Lonovenko having background as a commercial specialist in the Contract and Procurement Field of the energy sector. In 2014, he was recognized as an employee with high potential while working in the oil and gas field and was fortunate to participate in a specialized education program focused on Contract and Procurement from Shell and Exxon organizations.
His journey with FIDIC began in 2016 when he was introduced to the FIDIC dredging contract, sparking his passion for the subject. Since 2018, he has dedicated to expand knowledge of various FIDIC projects around the world, including Nigeria, Columbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Egypt and etc.
In 2021, he achieved his first FIDIC FLM Certificate and is currently working on promoting the FIDIC approach in Kazakhstan Republic.
Nina Tsaturova
Founding Member of the Georgian Association of Consulting Engineers
Director and Head of Legal at the Intelligent Solutions LLC, Georgia
Nina Tsaturova, is a distinguished member of the FIDIC President's List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators, specializing in construction law and dispute resolution. With over a decade of experience, she adeptly manages construction disputes, particularly FIDIC contracts, offering guidance on contract drafting, negotiation, and various dispute resolution methods. Nina has successfully handled diverse local and international projects, spanning infrastructure, residential, and commercial developments.
Additionally, she actively contributes to the construction community as a Founding Member of the Georgian Association of Consulting Engineers and serves as the DRBF Country Representative in Georgia.
As a FIDIC Certified Trainer and Head of Contract Principles at the FIDIC Academy, Nina's commitment to excellence earned her the prestigious Merit Award for FIDIC Contracts Trainer of the Year in 2023, highlighting her leadership and dedication to advancing industry standards and professional development.
Kamalia Mehtiyeva
Professor at the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC)
President of the Azerbaijan Arbitration Association, France/Azerbaijan
Kamalia Mehtiyeva is a Professor of Law at the University of Paris-Est Créteil (France). Her teaching and research fields focus on international arbitration law, civil procedure, mutual legal assistance in both civil and criminal matters, international sanctions, as well as international enforcement.
She publishes regularly on various issues of international arbitration, international private and public, as well as on procedural law.
She is admitted to the Paris bar. Prior to becoming a Professor of law, she practiced in the Public International Law and Arbitration Group of Shearman & Sterling in Paris (2007-2014). She is the co-founder of the law firm Barbier Mehtiyeva Law, which focuses on international arbitration and international litigation. Kamalia also regularly acts as arbitrator and can conduct proceedings in French, English, Russian, Turkish and Azerbaijani.
Prof. Mehtiyeva is also a member of the ad hoc Scientific and Advisory Council of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
She is also President of the Azerbaijan Arbitration Association and co-President of the Turkic Arbitration Association.
Larissa Belousova
Head of Business Development, Board Member of Road Association Uzbekistan
The Representative of Intelligent Solution in Uzbekistan,
FIDIC Certified Consulting Professional,
DRBF Emerging Market Licensed Prof&DB Practitioner,
Certified Mediator,
Arbitrator of International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
ICAgile Certified Professional,
Certified Risk Manager
Tatevik Asatryan
Founder and the President of Innovative Engineering INGO, Armenia
Tatevik Asatryan has been working on infrastructure development projects starting from 2018 on her capacity as a lawyer with Road Department Fund Armenia. She has been providing legal support to the Road Department coordinating the relations between Donor Organizations, Contractor, Engineer and the Employer. Currently Tatevik is acting as the Adviser to Executive Director.
Göktuğ Sirel
Manager at Temelsu International Engineering Inc. Co., Türkiye
Goktug Sirel, as a Partner of Temelsu International Engineering Services Inc. took place in many infrastructure projects 35 years at Turkey, Central Asia, Balkans, and Caucasus. He graduated as Civil Engineer in 1989 and completed MBA degree in 2011.
He spent 32 years of his professional career at Temelsu International Engineering Services Inc. as consultant in many projects. He has a proven background with a portfolio of many completed big projects especially on Dams & HPP’s and Transport sectors. After working as Supervision Engineer, Project Manager, Business Development Manager and Country Manager, he served as the General Director of the company between 2018-2023 and continues his professional life as Branch Manager of Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.
Daduna Kokhreidze
General Counsel at FIDIC, Switzerland
Andrey Artyushenko
Andrey Artyushenko, FIDIC Certified Trainer, Founder and the Managing Partner at Artyushenko & Partners, Kazakhstan
More than 23 years of Legal experience: contract law, real estate construction (FIDIC contracts, EPC, EPCM construction, PPP, management issues for hotel chains), corporate issues, investment law, etc.
Ketevan Shervashidze
Chief Legal Officer at JSC Energony, Georgia.
Ketevan Shervashidze is an experienced lawyer skilled in negotiation, legal writing, international law, and legal advice, with a demonstrated history of working in the construction, financial, and service industries, located in Georgia.
Over the past 6 years, Ketevan holds the position of Chief Legal Officer in Energony JSC, one of the leading companies, successfully operating in construction area almost for 50 years. In recent years, Ketevan Shervashidze was involved in negotiations and drafting of numerous FIDIC-based Contracts. With the participation of Ketevan, a number of FIDIC-based Contracts were drafted, which contributed to the successful implementation of many strategically important projects in Georgia.
Nata Ghibradze
Counsel at International Arbitration Group of Hogan Lovells International LLP in Munich, Germany
She focuses on international commercial arbitration and acts as counsel for clients involved in arbitrations, particularly within the energy (oil & gas, renewables), construction, infrastructure, and engineering sectors. Nata's practice has special emphasis on the CEE region, Turkey and Central Asia.
With a wealth of experience, Nata has navigated arbitrations under major arbitration rules, seated in various jurisdictions, assuming roles as counsel, arbitrator, and tribunal secretary. Additionally, she possesses expertise in representing clients in Dispute Board proceedings related to construction projects. Nata is a frequent speaker and author on topics related to international arbitration and actively participates in multiple professional associations.
Çağrı Cem
Partner at Tahan - Cem Attorney Partnership, Türkiye
Çağrı Cem is a founding partner of Tahan – Cem Attorney Partnership, an Istanbul based law firm specialised in construction and energy, arbitration, corporate - M&A and technology.
Çağrı has been regularly advising major contractors for the past 15 years in their infrastructure projects over wide scale of jurisdictions. His expertise covers projects in the Gulf Region, Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, Russia, Georgia, UK, Spain and Central & Eastern Europe. Çağrı has so far been involved in construction and energy projects with a value exceeding 40 billion USD. Besides his advisory work, he regularly represents clients in construction related claims and dispute proceedings, with a claim and dispute management experience over 3,5 billion USD
Serkan ÇATALPINAR
Partner at Kurucu Law Offices, Türkiye
Serkan ÇATALPINAR successfully completed his academic education in law in 2005, graduating from the Faculty of Law at Başkent University. Since July 2015, he has been practicing law as an attorney at the Kurucu Law Offices, of which he is also a founder. Throughout his career, he has provided legal consultancy and support to numerous domestic and international clients. His areas of expertise primarily focus on Construction Law (particularly FIDIC Contracts), Contract and Claim Management, International Commerce, Corporate Law, and Arbitration.
In international projects, Serkan ÇATALPINAR has served as a Contract and Claim Manager, demonstrating deep knowledge and experience in FIDIC contract management. He has played key roles in the construction of metro in Ukraine, renovation of railway lines in Montenegro, road construction projects in Georgia and Morocco, airport projects in Egypt & Kuwait, water supply project in Ghana and various infrastructure projects in Turkey. His responsibilities encompass complex legal consultancy, claim management, negotiations, and critical document preparations, highlighting his expertise in defending contractual rights and obligations. His work showcases his ability to achieve successful outcomes by employing strategic approaches in challenging and dynamic environments.
Natalia Alenkina
Associate Professor at the American University of Central Asia, Ph.D., Kyrgyzstan
Ms.Alenkina combines her academic career with law practice specializing in commercial law, litigation, and arbitration. Natalia has extensive experience in arbitration as an arbitrator, legal counsel, and an expert in Kyrgyz law. Since 2019 she has been a court member of the ICC International Arbitration Court (Paris).
Ms.Alenkina is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Justice accredits her as a legal and human rights expert.
Natalia Alenkina took part in developing the Civil Procedure Code and the Law on Mediation in Kyrgyzstan. She co-authors commentaries to the Kyrgyz Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure.
Diana Bayzakova
Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), Uzbekistan
The arbitral institution nominated in 2024 by Global Arbitration Review for "Best Innovation" award and delivering zero admin fee state-of-the-art arbitration services under the unique conflict-free operational framework. In 2020, Diana was appointed to the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators, and as a multilingual dispute resolution expert, Diana acted as a sole arbitrator, as a chairman, on a panel of arbitrators and as counsel in international arbitral proceedings under a variety of arbitration rules (DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, ICC, SCC, RAC, ADCCAC and others).
Beka Injia
Secretary General of GIAC, Georgia
Beka Injia holds the position of the Secretary General of the Georgian International Arbitration Centre.
With his leadership GIAC has become a leading arbitration centre in the region. In parallel he is engaged in private legal practice. Mr. Injia is one of the leading experts in the field of Dispute settlement in the Country.
Mr. Injia has previously worked both in public and in private sector. He was the legal head of Georgian Chamber of Commerce. His professional experience also includes positions at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, where he was advisor in a division of State Representation in Arbitration and foreign Courts.
He frequently serves as an arbitrator and mediator in international and local disputes. He is a member of supervisory boards of various corporations.
Nino Babakuri
Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia
Feruza Bobokulova
Feruza (Firuza) Bobokulova partner of MY LAWYER Law Firm, who directs the practice of international arbitration and construction law. Uzbekistan
Feruza Bobokulova has successfully represented the interests of the state and private parties in dispute board proceedings as well as in arbitrations conducted under the ICC Arbitration Rules, the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, Vienna Rules, and London Chamber of Arbitration Rules. She has also represented the parties in sports arbitration, including in the proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Feruza Bobokulova is a FIDIC Certified Trainer in Fundamental Construction Contracts as well as a FIDIC Certified Trainer in Silver Book. She is also a FIDIC Certified Contract Manager. Moreover, Feruza Bobokulova is the first Honorary Member of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Uzbekistan as well as a member of the FIDIC Asia Pacific Future Leader’s Executive Committee.
In addition, Feruza Bobokulova is a member of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London and a member of the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation.
Tina Upham
Executive Director ACEG, Georgia
Over 10 years of experience in international Procurement and Contract management for Major Infrastructure Projects.
Legal Consultant operating in construction industry.
Expertise in international procurement and Contract management including FIDIC based Contracts.
Legal Advisor at Intelligent Solution LLC and Executive Director of the Georgian Association of Consulting Engineers.
Narek Zulalyan
Deputy Director of the Road Department Foundation, Armenia
Since 2020, Narek Zulalyan holds the position of deputy director of the Road Department Foundation. Coordinates the implementation of large infrastructure projects financed by international financial institutions in the field of road construction, including all aspects of the implementation of these projects
Robert Petrosyan
CEO of Institut IGH d.d, Croatia
Robert Petrosyan is seasoned civil engineer and project management expert with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry.
Throughout career, he has successfully managed a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from infrastructure development to large-scale energy and commercial construction.
His exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision have led to the timely completion of projects, with due quality and within targeted budgets.
Countries: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, UAE, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Croatia. Currently CEO of Institute IGH (Croatia).
Manish D. Kothari
Member of the FIDIC Board.
President and CEO of Sheladia Associates, Inc., USA
Mr. Kothari became President in 1999 and has led Sheladia in his present role since 2011 and has 30+ years of varied engineering experience on transportation, bridges, highways, and building infrastructure projects involving design, construction support, and management in the USA and internationally.
Prior to Sheladia, he worked with Bechtel Corporation, USA as an Engineering Specialist and as Vice President with D2 Consult GmbH, Austria. Mr. Kothari has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from India and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from The University of Michigan.
Mr. Kothari was inducted into the National Academy of Construction (NAC) in 2020. He was recently elected a Fellow of ASCE and is a member of ASCE’s Industry Leadership Council (ILC). Since 2022, he has co-chaired its Risk & Resilience subcommittee. In 2022, he was elected to the board of the Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs Conseils (FIDIC), also known as the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, for a four-year term. Prior to that, he was the pioneer Chair for FIDIC’s International Financial Institutions Committee (IFIC) and a member of the FIDIC – Risk, Liability, and Quality Committee in 2020.
He served as the National Chair of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for the 2018-2019 term and was Chair-Emeritus from 2019 to 2020. He was the Vice Chair on the Executive Committee for ACEC from 2013 to 2015 and led the ACEC International Committee for four years from 2009 to 2013. He has been a member of numerous ACEC committees over the last three decades. He served as a Commissioner for the State of Maryland, Maryland Economic Development Commission from 2013 to 2023 and was a member of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Services and Finance Industries (ITAC 10) with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. He is currently a Director of The Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology, or PIC MC Foundation Board.
He received the 2015 WTCI’s Maryland International Business Leadership Award, which was conferred by Governor Larry Hogan. Mr. Kothari also previously served on the Business Advisory Council of the National Education Association (NEA).
Taner Dedezade
Partner at Howard Kennedy, UK
Taner Dedezade is an international construction barrister, dispute resolver, published author and world-renowned speaker.
· ICC Arbitrator
· FIDIC President's List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators
· FIDIC Certified Trainer.
· FIDIC trainer of the Year 2020.
As an international construction barrister, Taner specialises in the resolution and avoidance of disputes arising out of international construction and engineering projects, particularly under the FIDIC forms.
As a dispute resolver, Taner is has acted as an ICC arbitrator in one international construction dispute and has been appointed by CIArb as Sole Arbitrator in relation to five commercial disputes. Listed as a panel arbitrator for GIAC, Georgia and on the SCCA roster list, Saudi Arabia.
Taner has delivered numerous FIDIC lectures and FIDIC trainings around the world.
Otar Gavasheli
Hydropower Electromechanical Engineer at Fichtner, Germany.
Otar Gavasheli is a hydropower electromechanical engineer and project manager with over twenty years of experience. His expertise lies in the rehabilitation and construction of medium and large-scale hydropower plants in Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Oceania. Throughout his career, Otar has been instrumental in the successful completion of numerous hydropower projects, from conception to execution. Otar's expertise extends beyond technical prowess; his involvement and experience in contracts, funded by international financial institutions, such as EBRD, IFC and EIB enable him to effectively manage projects under FIDIC contracts. Otar holds degree of MSc. in Electrical Power Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden and BSc. in Electrical Power Engineering from Georgian Technical University.
Dr. Esra Berktaş
Managing Legal Counsel at GAMA Industry, Türkiye
Esra works as a legal counsel at GAMA Group Companies, which operate in construction and infrastructure industries for over 60 years.
Esra oversees legal matters concerning GAMA's operations and projects across Europe, Northern Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
She specializes in drafting and negotiating contracts, primarily in FIDIC; as well as managing claims and resolving disputes in construction and infrastructure projects.
Esra is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; and possesses significant experience in commercial and investment arbitration.
Esra holds a doctorate degree in commercial law and recently published a book analyzing the legal aspects of employee involvement in company management.
Karl Pörnbacher
Partner at Hogan Lovells, Head of International Arbitration, Munich, Germany
Karl Pörnbacher heads the firm's international arbitration team in Germany. Together with his multinational team of experienced international arbitration lawyers, he has represented clients in more than 130 international and domestic arbitrations as counsel. He has further been appointed as an arbitrator in more than 75 cases, both as chairman/sole arbitrator and co-arbitrator.
Karl assists clients in the efficient resolution of their disputes. He is an expert in alternative dispute resolution, with broad experience in the structuring and conduct of alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
His experience includes disputes related to energy (gas, oil, renewables), construction and infrastructure projects, (post) M&A, and supply disputes in various industries. Karl and his team have experience in arbitration proceedings under a variety of rules, including the ICC, VIAC, Danish Chamber of Commerce, Polish Chamber of Commerce, DIS and Swiss Rules, as well as in ad-hoc proceedings. He also represents clients in mediations, dispute board proceedings and adjudications.
Karl is a member of the Boards of VIAC, the Arbitration Court at the Polish Chamber of Commerce and the ICC commission on arbitration and serves as Chair of the Arbitration Court of the German-Polish Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw. He is a member of the scientific advisory board of the MuCDR and the BayCDMA, and he teaches courses on arbitration at the University of Bayreuth.
Sophie Tkemaladze
Team Lead on Commercial Dispute Resolution at UNDP, Georgia / Iraq
Sophie Tkemaladze is a practitioner advising international organizations (UNDP, USAID, European Commission) and public and private companies on dispute resolution system and policy.
She drafted amendments to the Law of Georgia on Arbitration in 2015 and the Law on Mediation in 2019. She is presently engaged in the development of arbitration and mediation systems in Sri Lanka and Iraq.
Sophie has served as arbitrator in several international commercial disputes under the ICC, GIAC and DRC Rules. Her mediation experience includes commercial, workplace as well as infrastructural projects as a mediator of the ADB’s Office of the Special Project Facilitator.
Sophie holds Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, LL.M. in International Business Law from Central European University and is an international faculty at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators HQ.
Niamh Leinwather
Secretary General of VIAC, Austria
Since 1 January 2022, Niamh Leinwather has taken office as the Secretary General of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC). Of Irish origin, Niamh has both a common and civil law background (Bachelor of Civil Law, University College Dublin, Mag.iur., University of Vienna, Master of European Studies, University of Vienna). She was the first Irish woman to be admitted to the Austrian Bar in 2013 and has over a decade of experience in international dispute resolution at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Vienna where she acted as both counsel and arbitrator.
Ana Sabakhtarishvili
Executive Director at Infrastructure Construction Companies’ Association, Georgia
The variety of her work experiences become one of the main bases of being the head of the Association during the years, from 2015, which brings together one of the strongest companies in the construction industry.
The construction sector plays one of the most significant roles in the country’s economic development, hence it follows that its significance is very important. During the association's leading position, Ana received an award of the Women Leader in the NGO sector in 2016.
Ana has a BA diploma in Law, as she graduated from TSU and a diploma from Caucasus University MA program of Law. Currently, she is a student in the Business Administration program at Grenoble Management school. Must be mentioned about her academic experience in creative direction; she is a pianist with a diploma and has a presidential stipend in this field.
Ana participated in plenty of scientific conferences and has a variety of non-formal education experiences.
She worked in leadership positions at governmental and private organisations and has a long-term collaboration history with international partners.
Ana Sabakhtarishvili is actively involved in the working processes of boards, dedicated to education and not only. She is a member and secretary of the appeal board, created under the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. In addition, she was a member of the Vocational Education Institutions’ Authorizations Board and a member of the Dispute Resolution Board in the State Procurement Agency for two years.
Rusa Tchkuaseli
Partner at BLC Law office, a top tier laws firm, Georgia.
Rusa has been recognized as Next Generation Partner in multiple practice areas including Banking and Finance, Commercial, Corporate and M&A and Dispute Resolution by Legal 500. Rusa is actively involved in local as well as cross-border dispute resolution. She has acted for the clients in international commercial arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA and SCC rules and an investment arbitration under the ICSID rules. Rusa has a vast experience in representing clients at the Supreme Court of Georgia for the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments and arbitral awards. Rusa is a President of Georgian Association of Arbitrators.
Olga Tsoy
Board Member of Association of Consulting Engineers, Uzbekistan
Olga Tsoy is a FIDIC Certified Consulting Profesional. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London, England) and of the Dispute Resolution Foundation Board.
Olga Tsoy is the Board Member of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Uzbekistan as well as the Head of the Legal Department of “UzEngineering” Republican Design Institute under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Olga Tsoy has 25-year experience as a lawyer working in Uzbekistan. Her experience includes advising the clients on different matters, including construction projects based on FIDIC contracts, construction arbitration cases and other areas of engineering as well as representation of clients before the state courts.