Meet GBRI's Global Network of Sustainability & Social Impact Influencers and Partners
Empowering Change-Makers Across Continents
Our Esteemed Partners
Aya El-Halabi
Position: Founder & Consultant
Phone: +16475476163
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Partners
Location: N. America
Aya is a consultant in sustainability and health and wellbeing with more than a decade of experience. Aya holds an architectural engineering degree from the University of Jordan and a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainability from Western University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Design for Human Health at Boston Architectural College. Early in her career, Aya worked as an architectural designer, with an emphasis on sustainability in her design work. After completing her master’s studies and relocating to Canada, she worked for the past seven years in the field of green building consulting, supporting sustainability goals in new and existing buildings real estate and investment. Recently, Aya established her own consulting firm specializing in sustainability, health, and wellness in the built environment. The project portfolio she worked on includes green building certification project management, ESG consulting, sustainability strategy, and awareness in several locations in Canada and Jordan. Throughout her career, Aya has been committed to advancing green construction and has volunteered with the Jordan Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council for a total of eight years. Aya holds certifications as a LEED AP, WELL AP, and Fitwel Ambassador.
Rowena
Position: Global Head of Sustainability
Phone: +65 8131 4050
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Partners
Location: ASEAN
Rowena has 20 years of experience in the field of Architecture, Construction and Project Management, including 15 years of experience as a LEED Professional. Herqualifications include a Diploma in Architecture (G.D. Arch.) from Mumbai, India and a Post-Graduation in Construction Business Management (GDCBM) from Pune, India. She has also attained additional professional qualifications as a LEED AP,
LEED AP (BD+C) (ID+C), WELL AP, Estidama Pearl Qualified Professional (Abu Dhabi), an EDGE Auditor as well as EDGE Expert and a Green Mark Manager AP FM. Rowena’s current primary role is to head the Sustainability Division at HY M&E. She manages all the Sustainability projects including global Green Building Rating Systems, Digital Twins Service, Energy Modeling and Optimization, Solar Studies and Digital Twin Dashboards services with our clients. Her job profile includes overall coordination with the client to provide custom made solutions to achieve the best possible outcome for the project and client.
Amel SISBANE
Position: Senior Sustainability Manager – ESG and Climate Action
Phone: 00 974 66687489
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Partners
Location: GCC
Amel SISBANE is a distinguished professional in sustainability, architecture, urban planning, and heritage conservation, with over 20 years of experience in management and engagement of all levels of stakeholders, delivering large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects across Europe and the Middle East.
Her academic achievements include a Master Degree in Architecture, and an Executive Master Degree in Urban Planning – Heritage Conservation, from the University Of Brussels. She also bears accreditations as a LEED AP, Climate Change Ambassador, Sustainability Consultant ESG practitioner, and a certification from the Oxford SAID Business School in Leading Sustainable Corporations, demonstrating her dedication to shaping a more sustainable and socially responsible future through environmental advocacy and best practices.
She was privileged to contribute to the delivery of the visionary sustainability targets of the award-winning “Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD)” project. A pioneering endeavor that regenerated a 35-hectare area into the world’s first fully built smart and sustainable city district, with the award of LEED Gold and Platinum certifications across the entire development (100+ buildings).
She managed the delivery of a large portfolio of projects for globally acclaimed luxury brands, within the corporate operations engineering department of a prestigious real Estate, retail and distribution holding. This further solidified her expertise in integrating sustainability into corporate business practices within the commercial sector.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amel SISBANE is an advocate, educator, dedicated to raising awareness regarding Climate Change and Environmental, Social & Governance integration.
Pankil Dave
Position: BIM Technician
Phone: +19496892333
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners
Location: N. America
I am an accredited and distinguished professional with experience and expertise as a Project Lead, Senior Job Captain, and Coordinator who has 8+ years of experience in project types: Healthcare, Retail, Workplace, Higher Education K-12, Multi-Family Residential, Civic and Community, Mixed-Use, and Performing Arts from beginning to end utilizing advanced Revit skills and emerging technological tools to succeed such as Bluebeam. Proficient in collaborative team environments, experienced in integrated project delivery, achieved exemplary performance while demonstrating various roles on multiple projects; with a work approach of being cool, calm, and collective, performed perpetually within the integrative company standards at the workplace | I am a self-motivated, self-esteemed, confident, articulate, and coherent individual with 10 years of work experience in California and 10 years of experience working in BIM | a niche for creating animations for the purpose of winning new projects | passion for being proactive and working with different project types I always strive to be better which is reflected in mywork.
Minal Budati
Position: Senior Architect, LEED GA & WELL AP
Phone: +96566228130
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Partners
Location: GCC
Minal Budati is a Senior Architect at Pace | Architecture, Engineering + Planning, leading multidisciplinary consultancy in the Middle East in Kuwait. Collaborating with architects, engineers developing concepts that meet project goals, operational standards and bringing architectural projects to life. Graduated with a five year professional degree, Bachelor of Architecture from Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai and with more than two decades of work experience in the building industry.
Minal is an accomplished WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) and LEED Green Associate (LEED GA). She is a member of the Kuwait society of Engineers. Her mission is to embrace sustainable design solutions and advocate green spaces and incorporate wellness in buildings. With this vision and determination to participate and make significant contribution in the journey towards sustainable environment, joined with GBRI as a Sustainability and Social Impact Partner.
Joan Tabinas
Arch Joan De Leon-Tabinas, stands out as a visionary presence in the world of sustainability-focused architecture. With a diverse portfolio spanning Asia Pacific, India, China, and the Middle East, she holds a postgraduate degree in Integrated Sustainable Design from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is a LEED Professional.
As the Co-founder and Director of Green Building Experts Pte Ltd (GBuildEX), she champions green and sustainability education with a core philosophy of Educate, Engage, Enable, and Empower (4Es). She’s also the driving force behind CORE+, an enterprise promoting architectural and engineering excellence for sustainable workflows. Concurrently, Arch Tabinas founded CORE360 Solutions, Centre of Resilience Environmental Experts, embodying her commitment to merging ecological design with human needs for genuine sustainability.
Her visionary leadership continues to shape groundbreaking sustainable developments in Asia and the Middle East. In the Philippines, she leads the PEZA Innovation and Business Centre project, seamlessly blending innovation, and sustainability. She serves as Chief Planner and Sustainability Strategist for a 45-hectare Agro-Eco Tourism project in Antipolo, Rizal. Additionally, Arch Tabinas consults on sustainability for the Loboc, Bohol Re-Development, and Majayjay, Laguna Heritage Conservation Project, showcasing her versatility.
Beyond her projects, Joan De Leon-Tabinas leaves a legacy through her written works, including titles like “CORE 360° Systemic Thinking: the core of sustainability,” “The Economics of Sustainability,” and “Sustainability Quadrants.” Her dedication and expertise underscore her belief that sustainability isn’t a choice but an essential part of the norm.
Doug Leaffer – PhD
Position: LEED Green Associate, WELL AP, WELL FACULTY
Phone: +19789737654
Email: [email protected]
Categories: LEED GA Exam Prep Instructor, Partners, WELL Instructor, WELL-LIVE
Location: N. America
Doug Leaffer is a Tenured Assoc. Professor of Engineering and Physics at NECC (USA-Massachusetts), and a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering (Environmental Health) at Tufts University (USA-Massachusetts), where he earned an MSCE (Civil/Environmental). Professor Leaffer’s research interest is environmental/transportation noise and air quality impacts to population health. He has lectured on diverse topics including sensor technologies, air pollution, and climate change at conferences and universities internationally. Doug is certified as an EIT, PG, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, LEED Green Associate and has global business experience in 50 countries on 5 continents.
Alaa Shibly
Position: Sr Architect, LEED GA & WELL AP
Phone: +971585240794
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners
Location: GCC
Alaa Shibly, LEED Green Associate & WELL AP, is a Dubai based Design Architect & an Associate member at the Society of Engineers UAE. Her design approach lies at the intersection between technology & innovation mainly focusing on computational design research & working with innovative materials that leverage architectural solutions.
Alaa shibly is an award-winning, RIBA Chartered Architect, sustainability research associate & an artist. Shibly is accredited from the US Green building council as a LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, WELL ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL, PQP Pearl Qualified Professional ESTIDAMA CERTIFIED from The Department of Municipalities and Transport of Abu Dhabi. A member of the UAE society of Engineers. Certified from IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency as a sustainability leader of tomorrow & a FSL future sustainability Leader accredited and trained by MASDAR.
Our Dynamic Influencers
Pankil Dave
Position: BIM Technician
Phone: +19496892333
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners
Location: N. America
I am an accredited and distinguished professional with experience and expertise as a Project Lead, Senior Job Captain, and Coordinator who has 8+ years of experience in project types: Healthcare, Retail, Workplace, Higher Education K-12, Multi-Family Residential, Civic and Community, Mixed-Use, and Performing Arts from beginning to end utilizing advanced Revit skills and emerging technological tools to succeed such as Bluebeam. Proficient in collaborative team environments, experienced in integrated project delivery, achieved exemplary performance while demonstrating various roles on multiple projects; with a work approach of being cool, calm, and collective, performed perpetually within the integrative company standards at the workplace | I am a self-motivated, self-esteemed, confident, articulate, and coherent individual with 10 years of work experience in California and 10 years of experience working in BIM | a niche for creating animations for the purpose of winning new projects | passion for being proactive and working with different project types I always strive to be better which is reflected in mywork.
Shruti Naik
Position: Junior Architect- Landscape
Phone: +917337862650
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers
Location: South Asia
Hi, I am an architect currently working in the field of landscape design. Throughout my academic journey, I have been captivated by the world of urban and landscape design, with its intensive contextual analysis and focus on the needs and aspirations of people it serves. The idea of crafting spaces that not only respond to the physical environment but also cater to the well-being and experiences of the community has always resonated deeply with me.
Gaurav Kumar
Position: Senior Sustainability Consultant
Phone: +6587411258
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers
Location: ASEAN
Gaurav is a sustainable design professional, radical thinker with a focus on Energy Efficiency, Passive & Active Design solutions, decarbonisation strategies, health & wellbeing framework and their analysis to achieve Total Building Performance through integrated design process and simulation tools.
His expertise lies in integrated approach, system thinking and building performance.
With a background in Architecture and Building Physics, Gaurav has extensive experience working on variety of projects including commercial, residential, infrastructure and mixed-use project in the region. With his experience and understanding of built environment and interest in sustainability, decarbonisation, health & wellbeing Gaurav is passionate about helping the built environment sector achieve low carbon solutions which are sustainable, implementable and provide comfortable environment for the users to live, work and play.
Gaurav is working as a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Arup Singapore, he is involved in conducting Embodied Carbon, Operational Carbon studies, decarbonisation measures & roadmap for new and existing assets, portfolios. Well versed in design, coordination and construction practises enables him to deliver the tasks efficiently.
Manika Garg
Position: Assistant Architect
Phone: +918171686339
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers
Location: Europe
I always had a particular affinity for arts, and logical and sequential thinking and so in my pursuit of creative endeavors six years back I had chosen to pursue architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, INDIA. Since then I have been constantly exploring new
methods of creatively solving a question in hand.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, I’ve constantly explored innovative ways to approach design challenges, not only focusing on creating beautiful structures but also considering their impact on our environment. The realization of the substantial energy and resources consumed by the construction industry sparked my commitment to sustainable practices in architecture.
Currently, I am working with Diana Kellogg Architects, a New York-based firm that undertakes projects spanning across the globe with a strong emphasis on sustainability and social impact. One of the remarkable projects I’ve had the privilege to contribute to is the Rajkumari Ratnavali Girls School in Jaisalmer. This project exemplifies the commitment to improving education in an area with a historically low literacy rate, emphasizing the transformative power of education and community engagement.
As an aspiring influencer at GBRI, I am excited to share my journey, insights, and experiences in the world of sustainable architecture. Through engaging content and thoughtful discussions, I aim to inspire others to join the movement towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future in the built environment.
Alaa Shibly
Position: Sr Architect, LEED GA & WELL AP
Phone: +971585240794
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners
Location: GCC
Alaa Shibly, LEED Green Associate & WELL AP, is a Dubai based Design Architect & an Associate member at the Society of Engineers UAE. Her design approach lies at the intersection between technology & innovation mainly focusing on computational design research & working with innovative materials that leverage architectural solutions.
Alaa shibly is an award-winning, RIBA Chartered Architect, sustainability research associate & an artist. Shibly is accredited from the US Green building council as a LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, WELL ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL, PQP Pearl Qualified Professional ESTIDAMA CERTIFIED from The Department of Municipalities and Transport of Abu Dhabi. A member of the UAE society of Engineers. Certified from IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency as a sustainability leader of tomorrow & a FSL future sustainability Leader accredited and trained by MASDAR.
Phillip Abegunde
Position: Sustainability Consultant, LEED AP BD+C
Phone: +2348173004209
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers
Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
With over three decades of engineering mastery in Nigeria, Phillip stands as a seasoned architect of innovation. He’s not just a registered engineer; he’s a visionary in the world of construction projects. His expertise breathes life into residential, commercial, institutional, and retrofitted buildings, where mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services blend seamlessly.
At the helm of Abbot Engineering Co., Phillip leads a dynamic team of graduate engineers with an impressive portfolio of 100+ successful projects. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), he’s the captain steering projects to excellence.
Phillip’s heart beats for sustainability, evidenced by his role in supervising green marvels across Nigeria, including the prestigious Microsoft regional office in Lagos. His credentials include LEED AP BD+C, and he’s now collaborating with GBRI, the USA-based education services provider, as an influencer, championing the way to create awareness on climate change and sustainable future.
Max Koh
Position: Sales Director, LEED AP, WELL AP
Phone: +6596333560
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners
Location: ASEAN
Max is a seasoned sustainability advocate professional with over 30 years of experience in the built environment industry, specializing in glass and façade. With more than a decade of management experience in a public listed company and MNC, Max has honed his skills in the South-East Asia region with a top-tier German façade specialist.
Max’s qualifications include a Master of Business and Industrial Marketing from Western Sydney University, accreditation as a USGBC LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, and a registered Façade Inspector (FI) with IES/ACES. He also completed an Advanced Certificate program in Integrating Sustainability for a Future-Ready Business by SMU Academy.
With such a wealth of experience and credentials, Max is a valuable asset to any team looking to integrate sustainability into their business practices.
Miranda Anderson
Position: WELL AP, WELL Faculty, LEED AP BD+C
Email: [email protected]
Categories: Influencers, Partners, WELL Instructor, WELL-LIVE
Location: N. America
Miranda Anderson is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Interior Architecture and Design program at the University of Idaho. With over 25 years in the architecture and interior design industries, she is an NCIDQ certificate holder, LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP BD+C), WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP), and a WELL Faculty member with the International WELL Building Institute.
As a design educator, Miranda has received award recognition including a national Teaching Excellence Award and a University Mid-Career Faculty Award. She holds a Master of Architecture degree and specializes in design decision-making for healthy interior environments with emphasis in materials for sustainability and well-being, materials and meaning, and adaptive reuse/historic preservation.
Prior to teaching, Miranda spent eight years in private practice as a project manager, designer, and LEED AP on a variety of commercial and residential projects throughout the Northwest U.S
Interested in Partnering with GBRI?
Who Are GBRI Partners?
GBRI Partners are committed advocates for sustainability and social impact, often representing small businesses, educational institutions, or corporate entities. These partners are empowered to teach GBRI courses, contributing their expertise and insights to our educational platforms.
Key Characteristics:
Role: More than instructors; they become an integral part of GBRI.
Representation: Can act as individuals or as representatives of companies or educational institutions.
Focus: Aligned with GBRI’s mission for sustainable development and social impact.
Monetary Incentive: Eligible for a 40% revenue share from co-hosted trainings and events.
The Commitment: Partners work closely with GBRI to not just impart education but to make a profound social impact, promoting social justice, economic growth, and climate change mitigation.
Who Are GBRI Sustainability & Social Impact Influencers?
GBRI Influencers are individuals passionate about making a difference in the realm of sustainability and social justice. They leverage their networks to promote GBRI’s educational courses and resources, focusing on community building and awareness.
Key Characteristics:
Role: Advocates for sustainability education within their respective networks.
Reach: The potential for global influence via online platforms.
Focus: Making a meaningful impact beyond mere financial gains.
Monetary Incentive: Eligible for a 20% revenue share for promoting GBRI events.
The Commitment: Influencers go beyond traditional promotion to meaningfully engage with their communities, sharing valuable resources and stimulating discussions around global sustainability and social impact.