Advisory Council

Since the Beginning of 2023, Natalie Rodriguez Faria is the Head of Innovation at the Hamburger Hochbahn AG, the second largest transport company in Germany. From 2018 until 2021, she was the lead project manager of automated driving, Bus-Segment and was in charge of the HEAT-Project (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation). Natalie has been working for over 15 years in international planning and consulting companies specialized in public transport in Caracas, Lyon, Karlsruhe and since 2011 for the HOCHBAHN holding different positions in the areas of tariff, demand and revenues estimations; corporate management, project management office, business development and Innovation and Change. She has always tried to combine my love for languages and for Mobility throughout her professional career.

Shankar is a trusted leader, strategy enabler and advisor to executives and business units with a proven track record of transforming Business vision to Technology results for Fortune 500 and public organizations which resulted in driving revenue growth, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction. Extensive experience in Innovation, Business Process redesign & Digital Transformation, Product Management & Program Leadership. Currently Heading the Technology Innovation and Strategy department at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

Shankar’s education includes an Executive Master of Business Administration in Global Business from Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He also holds a Professional Certificate in Strategic Management from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition, Shankar volunteers his time with the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM), a non-profit organization, serving on the board of the Advisory Committee.

Khaled Shammout is a transit professional with more than 28 years of experience in public transit planning, strategic planning, transit operations, ITS technology, and transit facilities design and construction. Mr. Shammout has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. He also brings in international experience: Abu Dhabi, UAE and Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Shammout was responsible for the design of Makkah’s bus transit system and its infrastructure.

Mr. Shammout currently serves as the Chief Strategic Planning, Development and Innovation Officer at the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Cincinnati, Ohio). Mr. Shammout attended The Ohio State University where he earned BS in Architecture, Master’s in City Planning and a Master’s in Transportation Engineering.

Mr. Shammout has published a recent book: “The Implosion of Public Transit and the Case for an Infinite Game”.

Côme Berbain is the Director of Railway Rolling Stock of RATP Group. Previously, he was Head of innovation for RATP group and head of the Autonomous Vehicle program. He has 15 years of experience in the public (Ministry of Defense, French national authority for cybersecurity ) and private sector (Orange, Trusted Logic) on the topics of cybersecurity and digital transformation.

He has advised the State Secretary for Digital in 2017 and 2018 on the topics of digital trust and state digital transformation, before becoming Chief Technology Officer of the French State at the interministerial directorate for Digital. He joined RATP in November 2019. He holds an engineering degree and a PhD in Cryptography.

As a Group CEO for City Group Co., Kuwait, Dheeraj is leading the transformation agenda of the passenger transport/ mobility sector in Kuwait with a focus on digital innovations and green initiatives. Prior to this, he was co-founder and CEO of Arnab Mobility based in the UAE. Unique blend of experience ranging from intense R&D, and technology start-ups to large corporates and Strategy Consulting. Advised and consulted for a number of Government departments and businesses in the UK, India, and Middle East on Strategy, Innovation, and Technology implementations.

Played a major role in the development of India’s Supercomputer PARAM and mission-critical applications, instrumental in transforming the construction industry in the UK and the Middle East, developed Innovation Strategy for $25 bn Crossrail project in London and award-winning “Dubai Innovation Index”. As a digital & innovation consulting lead of PwC, Dheeraj has developed a number of strategies for Road and Transport Authority in the Middle East such as the Innovation Strategy, Marine PPP model, Automated Fare Collection (AFC) Strategy.

Dheeraj holds a PhD in Computing Science from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and an MBA from Imperial College London, UK. Published c.50 research papers in reputed journals. Recipient of two Young Scientist Awards from the Government of India for his innovations and was invited to present his Innovations at NASA, USA.

Juan Corro is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Madrid City Council. He is responsible for leading the operation of information systems and networks and contributing to the ambitious digital transformation strategy of the capital of Spain. Previously, he was Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at EMT Madrid, the leading mobility surface operator. He was in charge of rolling out EMT innovative solutions like the Smart Bus Madrid and pushing the MaaS development in Madrid.

He is a Telecommunication engineer focused on digital transformation, emerging technologies, and public services. He has worked for the space and satellite industry and led many digital projects and initiatives. Juan was the Chief of Staff for the Spanish Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Society where he played a leading role in the R&D for the telco and digital sector, cybersecurity and digital regulations initiatives.

Tina Morch-Pierre has more than 25 years of information technology experience, with a particular focus on innovation and system integration. She is currently working as Sr. Director, Innovation & Tech Services at Transdev North America (Earlier First Transit Inc). Earlier, she was working with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as the assistant vice president of innovation, payment systems, and statistical reporting.

Morch-Pierre earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and management and a master of business administration from Texas Women’s University. Morch-Pierre is a member of the Secure Technology Alliance, the digital security industry’s premier association.

Manager in the field of information technology for more than 20 years with more than 5 years of experience in the public transport sector. As head of technology sector with the RTC (Reseau de Transport de la Capitale, Quebec City), he set up and launch the electrification program of the bus fleet, put in place, and supervise the team in charge of the deployment of the IT systems required for the operation of Quebec future tramway. He also assured the realization of many projects like the implementation of mobile payment, new radiotelecommunication system and deployment of a data integration platform.

Before joining the RTC he worked in consulting services at CGI as Director of Consulting services, in the finance industry as Vice-President of IT and in the manufacturing industry as the Director of IT for the company Garant, the largest Canadian manufacturer of none-power tools. Mr. Lebeuf holds a degree in computer science from UQTR (University Quebec in Trois-Rivieres) and graduate certificate in business management from University Laval (Quebec).

Amit is an Indian Civil Services officer presently working as Director of Operations and Services, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Previously he was General Manager for the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), Ministry of Railways, India. With 21 years of experience in the railroad sector, Amit has worked in various leadership positions including head of operations for the Delhi Division of Indian Railways, Joint General Manager & Principal Training Institute-Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

He is a trainer on Urban Transportation, Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, leadership skills, and team building. He regularly imparts training in UNESCAP Capacity building programs, The Energy Research Institute (TERI), School of Planning & Architecture (SPA)-Delhi, National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), Indian Railway Institute of Transport Management (IRITM).

He has co-authored books titled ‘Exploring Life @2050” and ‘Intelligent Transport Systems. He is a regular contributor to newspaper columns and journals. He is a Civil Engineer from IIT Roorkee and holds a Ph.D. in Urban Transportation from SPA Delhi.

Joseph Ma is an urban planner with over 30 years of international experience. He is an Eminent Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, a registered Professional Planner (Hong Kong), and a Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists.

Joe is currently holding the post of Technical Advisor in Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO). Previously, he was working as Deputy General Manager/ Financial Controller in Shenzhen Bus Group, in charge of international development, procurement, finance, and advertisement. A major accomplishment since joining Shenzhen Bus is the successful procurement of some 6,000 electric buses and 4,700 electric taxis resulting in Shenzhen Bus Group becoming the first fully and largest electric-powered public transportation operator in the world.

Joe Ma also represented Shenzhen Bus Group at all international marketing and development. He was the elected Chair for the Taxi and Share-riding Committee of the Union Internationale des Transports Publics (UITP) for 2019 – 2021 and he was also part of UITP’s Bus Committee. He is also regularly invited as a guest speaker in many global public transportation conferences and forums.

Pablo is a Transit enthusiast with extensive experience in developing business models for transport and infrastructure projects across the globe. Having worked in multiple markets, industries, and company backgrounds has taught him to quickly adapt to changing environments and situations. During his career, Pablo has been able to establish his reputation for building relationships with international stakeholders.

As Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy for First Transit, Pablo is responsible for developing fast-changing transit markets, such as Autonomous Vehicles, and supporting First Transit’s Electric Vehicles adoption.

Pablo has a postgraduate degree in economics and has completed different educational programs at the London School of Economics and SDA Bocconi.

Alok is currently the Managing Director of Trans-consult. He is an international expert in public transport operations and management, with specialization in new technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and clean fuel technologies. With 30 years of experience in the industry, Alok has worked with an array of international consultants and leading transport operators like MTR Corporation, Hong Kong, and Kowloon Motor Bus, Hong Kong.

He is an international expert trainer for the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and a Fellow of Civic Exchange, a Hong Kong-based non-profit independent think tank. He regularly teaches at the University of Hong Kong and serves as a Member of the Transport Policy Committee of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong. He has several publications to his credit, including a contribution to a book on best practices in railways operations and management.

Alok is a civil engineer and holds post-graduate degrees in transportation engineering and management.

Yuval (PMP, P.Eng.) founded LTRT in 2014 to transform public transit. A lifelong transit buff, Yuval has been consulting with public transit agencies since 2002. Based in Toronto he has worked with transit agencies across the country and internationally to modernize their practices. Yuval brings experience engaging and responding to needs from all aspects of the transit business.

A transit consultant for dozens of agencies, his work has included project and program management, organizational strategy and roadmap development, business process reviews, procurements, technology/system implementations (design and testing), security assessments, business case assessments, change management, planning analysis and policy development.

Beyond transit, Yuval has way too many interests, including curling, strategy games, soccer, escape rooms, balloon twisting, genealogy, puzzle design and his family.

Experienced in the services sector with a key sense of consumer behavior and expectations. Keen focus on quality, technology, and building businesses around systems and processes. Believes in mentoring people and creating ethical enterprises.

Founded Meru Cabs in the year 2007, It is amongst the largest Cab networking company in India. Meru is a household name in India with a customer base of 15 million users and a fleet strength of over 20000 vehicles. It has a presence across all major airports of India and offers inter & intra city app-based cab services. After having raised money through True North Private Equity Fund, Neeraj successfully exited the company in June 2021 by selling his stake to the Mahindra Group.

Founded V-Link Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd in the year 2000, One of the largest Enterprise Mobility Companies servicing BPO’s, Media and IT across 9 cities in India. With a fleet of over 2000 vehicles, it services the topmost Blue chip companies of the country.