Meet the transport judges!

Dr. Emmanuel Mogaji is an Associate Professor in Marketing with a focus on transformative transport services. His research explores the marketing and delivery of sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven transport solutions. Dr. Mogaji has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including Industrial Marketing Management, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, and Transport Research Part D. He has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences. Additionally, he serves as Director of Engagement and Partnership at TARTSEDI, mentoring and supporting scholars interested in transformative services. Dr Mogaji’s work aims to enhance the future of transport services through innovation and inclusivity.

Chikondi is a seasoned organistional leader, with a track record of success in managing national and Africa-wide voluntary engineering associations. As CEO of Engineers Without Borders South Africa, she combines her nonprofit and consulting engineering knowledge to improve programme impact, partnerships and sustainability of the growing nonprofit. As an agricultural engineer, she has lead teams and designs for agro-processing, animal housing, rural roads and bulk water infrastructure projects in South Africa, through collaborations with government, parastatals, private sector and other nonprofits. Chikondi firmly believes in leveraging of engineering expertise in tackling environmental, social and governance challenges.

Sam is a Systems Engineering Consultant based at Energy Systems Catapult. Her key role is leading and providing technical expertise in a range of projects and programmes in the UK’s journey to Net Zero. Sam has previous experience working in Renewables, International Development, Oil and Gas and Transport industries and has worked on international assignments across Europe, Asia and the Middle East and Africa. Sam has been engaged in a range of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and is currently reverse mentor to the Catapult’s Chief Technology Officer and part of the 2024 cohort for the Foundation Future Leaders Scheme at the Foundation for Science and Technology.

Priyanka is a Senior Engineer at Momentum, where she specialises in delivering innovative, intelligent, and sustainable urban transport solutions. Since joining the firm, she has played a vital role in developing highways schemes from the conceptual stage through to detailed design on key projects across the UK and globally. Her expertise encompasses urban highways, junction, and public realm design. Priyanka is passionate about creating inclusive environments and is dedicated to designing liveable urban environments that prioritise people, including the seamless integration of shared space, active travel, and pedestrian-priority designs.

Sonal is the founder of two organisations: The Urban Catalysts (www.theurbancatalysts.org) and Executive Director of Centre for Sustainable and Equitable Cities (www.c-sec.org). Their mission is to transform cities and transport to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to enable gender equity and universal access. Sonal has advised on incorporating a gender perspective in urban transport projects and programs, and influenced investments of $9 billion, directly impacting 500,000 women and girls by 2027. She was responsible for introducing gender-responsive guidelines in India’s URDPFI guidelines – a first for the country. She was featured in the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative’s network of Remarkable Women in Transport 2020 and Remarkable Feminist Voices in Transport 2023 to recognise women change-makers in the sector. The Urban Catalysts was featured as a Remarkable Feminist Organisation in Transport in 2023.

Doreen Kirima is a professional transportation engineer with over a decade of experience. She has served as a Resident Engineer and as a Team leader for design projects. She is determined to transform urban mobility through sustainable planning, design, and management of urban areas and public spaces. Doreen holds MSc. in Transportation Engineering and a BSc. in Civil Engineering from The University of Nairobi. She also has a Diploma in Innovation for Change in Public Transport from Lund University and in Business Information and Technology from Strathmore University. She is the Chairperson for the Young Engineers Forum for the Federation of African Engineering Organisation and a past council member of the Institution of Engineering of Kenya.

Gail Jennings is a research consultant with more than 20 years of experience in transport policy, strategy, and programme design and evaluation; gender, equity, and social inclusion (GESI); and in walking and cycling. Her doctoral research considers trip-making decision processes, particularly how individuals shift from unsustainable to more sustainable approaches to transportation, and she has recently published widely on bicycle transport in rural Africa. Gail is based in Cape Town and works throughout the Global South.

Carly is supporting the UNEP portfolio of global transport programmes to reduce emissions from the transport sector. She was previously a Project Manager for UN-Habitat and Transport for London. Her key focus areas include active mobility and transport digitalisation.

Pius is a youth with over 8 years of experience in capacity-building STEM courses and supporting youth employability programs. He is currently supporting a project to promote electric mobility in Kenya, at GIZ-Kenya. Pius is passionate about sustainable transportation solutions and e-mobility as a tool to achieve this.

Rovani is a chemical/environmental engineer from South Africa who started in the platinum refinery/mining sector and then moved on to researching bioenergy systems and biofuels for Africa.

She joined UNESCO HQ in France in the Natural Sciences Sector. She thereafter took over the UNESCO Engineering programme, working with international partners and program experts to strengthen engineering education through curricula development, hands-on training and capacity building. Rovani is passionate about women in engineering and encouraging more youth to pursue careers in engineering and STEM.

Now, as part of the Education team in Harare, Rovani is excited to continue with girls in STEM and also adding to her portfolio. She has worked in Brazil, USA and Ireland before joining UNEP Paris and then UNESCO.

Anabel Matalanga is a passionate Civil Engineer with a strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation and holds a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town. Anabel’s extensive volunteer and outreach work includes mentoring women through the WOMENG Fellowship, and coordinating Engineers Without Borders activities in Kenya. She has also led numerous initiatives such as organizing pad drives, managing mentorship programs, and promoting STEM education through various STEM events. Anabel is dedicated to community engagement and developing nature-based and sustainable solutions to address challenges.

Alemgena has over 25 years of experience in road and transport engineering research and professional practices specialised in transport and mobility, pavements and highways, urban and rural infrastructure development worked with government, private sectors and academia. He is experienced as managing director of a consulting firm and technical advisor to government organisations with international research collaboration experience. Alemgena has contributed significantly in partnerships with regional and international institutions which include research in inclusive and active mobility, developing and implementing international programs, supervise and monitor project developments and programs, sector portfolio and standards review missions. As lecturer and assistant professor in various academic institutions, he has managed several research collaborations, and coached and advised theses and dissertations in the area of research interest in resilient materials, inclusive transport, active mobility, managing trade and logistics last mile for smart cities.

Eng. Caroline Mong’ina Matara is a transportation engineer and a Ph.D. student at the Civil Engineering department of the University of Nairobi. She holds a Master’s in Traffic and Transportation Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. Caroline is currently an Assistant Lecturer at the Technical University of Kenya and has extensive experience in highway design and supervision of engineering projects. Her work includes contributions to research in traffic-related air pollution, road safety and sustainable mobility.

Herbert Kisara is the Programs Manager at Engineers Without Borders Canada. He is passionate about systemic change, engaging with multiple audiences to spark global and local impact. His work contributes to creating a safe and just future for all, emphasizing the crucial role engineers play in addressing global challenges.

Kevin is a qualified Electrical Engineer, Surveyor and Project Manager, and former Associate Director at Arup, with over 30 years of management of major international construction and transportation portfolios, programmes, and projects; Commercial Manager at London Heathrow Terminal 2, HS2, Luton, and Abu Dhabi airport terminals. He is a team leader, and specialist in digital integration, business case analysis, lifecycle costing and evaluating major capital infrastructure transport projects. Kevin’s role is the overall management of UrbanMASS and its co-ordination with its engineering and financial partners and the transit system customers.

Eng. Muguru Wairimu is a transport planner, municipal and highway engineer, with extensive experience in sustainable mobility in Kenya and other countries in the African region. She also has experience in the design and supervision of urban roads and highways and is the current Vice Chair of the AAK Engineers’ Chapter. She strongly advocates for sustainable and equitable mobility, accessible and safe for all road users, more so for vulnerable road users.

Verena is part of the Transport and Climate Change Team at the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), where she supports partner countries to develop sustainable mobility policies. Verena has worked with local and national governments in Latin America, Northern and Sub Saharan Africa on questions of vehicle regulation, GHG quantification as well as pilot projects in urban mobility. Verena hols a MA in Environmental Politics from Sciences Po Paris, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Transport Planning and Engineering at Napier University Edinburgh.

Eng. Opuge Ephraim is a Senior Road Design, Construction and Maintenance engineer, currently working in the road design, construction and asset management sector.

Aaliyah Tahir Iqbal is an Electrical Power Systems Engineer with vast experience in solar, wind and now e-mobility. She’s worked as the Project Associate at the E-Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK), a Research Associate/Project Manager at the Africa E-Mobility Alliance (AfEMA) and just recently the E-Mobility Lead at the East African Grand Prix. She’s currently a freelance e-mobility and sustainability consultant. She’s also a singer/songwriter with her E.P launching soon. Moreover she’s an avid football and F1 supporter.