TUMI 2025 Conference

Speakers at TUMI 2025

• Aremu Toyin Babatunde

  Senior Special Assistant Transportation Lagos State Government, Nigeria

  Toyin Aremu is a seasoned administrator, business development expert, and political leader serving as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation. With expertise extending beyond academic achievements, he’s developed innovative solutions for the state’s transportation needs. Notably, he has created novel, bespoke, and eco-friendly multi-modal transport systems in Lagos State, Nigeria, effectively addressing issues like: Traffic Gridlock: Reducing congestion and improving traffic flow, Deviance and Conflict: Resolving disputes and promoting harmony and Travel Time: Optimizing transportation systems for minimal travel time. Toyin Aremu’s impressive academic background includes around six degrees and numerous training programs. His success has earned him the trust of his principal, community, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s transportation sector.

  

• Prof. Floris Cornelis Boogaard

  Senior Researcher, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands

  Floris Boogaard and his research group Spatial Transformations – Water are researching the effects of the changing climate in urban areas. Together with education, knowledge institutions, the business community and the government, he develops measures to adapt the built environment to the effects of climate change and human activity. The biggest challenge for a climate-proof future is a living environment without drought, heat stress and flooding. This requires optimal and innovative use of public space and existing infrastructure. Floris Boogaard’ vision is mainly empirical learning: he wants to give the new design engineers a high level of ‘learning by doing’. This results in concrete innovative research products and projects. In addition to being a lecturer, he also works as a researcher at the Global Center on Adaptation.

  

• Danielle Costa de Hollanda

  General Coordinator ofUrban Mobility PlanningMinistry of Cities, Brazil

  Danielle Costa de Hollanda is the General Coordinator of Urban Mobility Planning and an Infrastructure Analyst at the Brazilian Ministry of Cities. She has experience in the area of architecture and urbanism, urban mobility, project management, governance and public management. She holds a degree in Architecture and Urbanism, a master’s degree in Transport Engineering/ Planning and Operation of Transport Systems, an MBA in Public Management and a Specialization in Environmental Policy Management.

  

• Serhiy Derkach

  Deputy Minister, Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine

  Serhiy Derkach served in Ukraine’s internal affairs agencies from 2001 to 2015. He led the Community Development Training Centre and the Operations Department at the UN Mission in Liberia between 2009 and 2015. From 2015 to 2017, he worked as an expert on anti-corruption in the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine. Between 2020 and 2023, he held senior positions at the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), including Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of the Prevention and Detection of Corruption Department. Since 2023, Derkach has been Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

  

• Dr. Beate Ginzel

  Director, Digital City Unit Leipzig, Germany

  Dr. Beate Ginzel was born in Bautzen in 1975. She most recently served as acting head of the Digital City Department of the City of Leipzig, whose development team she has headed since 2018. The graduate architect and doctor of industrial engineering has been in the service of the city of Leipzig for some time: from 2014 to 2019, she headed the Urban Redevelopment/Urban Development Concept Department at the Office for Urban Renewal and Housing Promotion. Previously, she worked as an employee at the Institute for Urban Development and Construction Economics at the University of Leipzig and as an architect, project and construction manager in various offices in Germany and abroad. In autumn 2020, the Lord Mayor of the City of Leipzig proposed her as the new head of the Digital City Department.

  

• Dr. Heike Henn

  Deputy Director-General for Climate, Energy and Environment, BMZ

  Dr. Heike Henn has 30 years of experience in the field of development policy (research, NGOs and government). She is also head of the supervisory board of the Legacy Landscapes. She served as head of the supervisory board of the Blue Action Fund, GCF-Board-Member and Member of Loss and Damage Transitional Committee. Since 2003: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), e.g. Coordinator of the German G8 Africa Personal Representative, Head of German Development Cooperation in Burundi and Rwanda, Head of Division Special Initiative ONEWORLD – No Hunger. Head of Division, Policy issues of cooperation with civil society, private organizations.

  

• Sana’a Khasawneh

  Advocacy and Campaign Manager, Youth for Road Safety, Jordan

  Sana’a Khasawneh is a passionate young advocate for road safety and inclusive, sustainable mobility, with a strong focus on empowering women and young people. She works as the Advocacy and Campaigns Manager at YOURS—Youth for Road Safety—and is a member of the WHO EMRO Youth Council. With experience across transport, health, and climate, she brings unique insight and dedication to policy advocacy and meaningful youth engagement. She believes in the power of storytelling to inspire change and sees young people not just as future leaders, but as key drivers of global development today.

  

• Jacob Mason

  Senior Director, Global Program, ITDP

  Jacob Mason directs the global program for ITDP, coordinating and supporting ITDP’s work around the world through strategic research, thought leadership, and the development of tools and guidance. Jacob has supervised the development of many of ITDP’s most recognized publications, including the Bike Share Planning Guide, the BRT Standard, the Atlas of Sustainable City Transport, and the Compact Cities Scenario Electrified. Jacob is part of the steering committee for the Sustainable Mobility for All initiative and chairs the SUM4All Data Working Group. Jacob has a master’s in urban planning from McGill University and a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Columbia University.

  

• Olaf Merk

  Administrator, ITF

  Olaf Merk is a ports and shipping expert at the International Transport Forum (ITF) of the OECD. He has led research and authored influential work on topics such as port policy, mega-ships, cruise shipping, and the decarbonisation of maritime transport. Before focusing on maritime issues, he worked on port-city relations, urban governance, and infrastructure finance within the OECD. Earlier in his career, he served at the Netherlands Ministry of Finance, contributing to national policy on economic and infrastructure matters.

  

• Giancarlo Moreira Gama

  Founder, Jevy Cities, Brazil

  Giancarlo Moreira Gama is a Political Scientist from the University of São Paulo and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Oxford, specializing in public transportation systems and urban sustainability. With over seven years of experience in project management, communication, public policy, and politics, he served as an elected City Councillor, representing over 50,000 inhabitants. Currently, he is the Founder and Executive Director of Jevy Cities, a think-and-do-tank focused on local political advocacy in mobility and climate policies to strengthen climate governance in Brazil, which has impacted over 80 cities and trained 70+ politicians from 17 states and 18 parties, influencing policies benefiting 18 million citizens daily.

  

• Bright Oywaya

  Road Safety Advocacy Consultant, Global Road Safety Partnership | Consultant, ASIRT Kenya | Vice Chairperson, Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK)., Kenya

  Bright Oywaya is a road safety consultant and disability advocate. She is currently the Road Safety Advocacy Consultant for the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) in Kenya. She is also the Vice Chairperson of the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK). She has a vast experience in road safety spanning for close to two decades. Her other engagements have included ASIRT Kenya, a road safety NGO, and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) where she was the Vice Chairperson. She was honored to work as a member of the Advisory Group to the High Level Panel for the UN Special Envoy for Road safety, Mr. Jean Todt. She has collaborated with governments, NGOs, and private and International organizations to develop and advocate for policies and initiatives aimed at reducing traffic road crashes and enhance disability inclusion.

  

• Regina Paredes Gorostieta

  Founder, Muevetex, Mexico

  As user of public transportation, Regina Paredes Gorostieta suffered the main problems faced as a user, identifying the problems existing in the whole urban mobility system (from a social, environmental, and economic sphere). As a result, she founded Muevetex, social entrepreneurship that gives reliable information to users of public transport. She has participated at international workshops with ITDP, been selected as one of the 20’s active citizens from the British Council in Mexico and she is currently leading a research on SDG 11.2 as a Local Pathways Fellow from the UN SDSN-Youth.

  

• Ramachandran Ramasamy

  Managing Director, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, India

  Ramachandran Ramasay is the Managing Director of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), where he focuses on improving urban transport and expanding public transit in Bengaluru. With a strong background in public administration, Ramasay has also served as a Director in the Education Department of the Government of Karnataka and as a Deputy Commissioner in the Government of Karnataka. His work across various government sectors reflects his expertise in management and public service.

  

• Pallavi Rao

  Foresight Consultant, Z_Punkt, Germany

  Pallavi Rao is a foresight consultant at Z_punkt, focusing on urban and natural habitats. She works with international companies and public organizations on research, content development, and the design and implementation of foresight processes. Her work supports organizations in adopting regenerative business models, sustainable development, and circular economy practices. With a background in urban development, design, and development economics, she is particularly interested in the sustainable and social impacts of urbanization. During her interdisciplinary master’s studies at TU Darmstadt and Università di Roma Tor Vergata, she worked on nature-based urban solutions and participatory planning projects.

  

• Manjunath Sekjar

  Head of Sustainable Urban Mobility, GIZ India

  Manjunath Sekhar is the Head of Sustainable Urban Mobility at GIZ India, focusing on innovative urban mobility solutions in Bengaluru. His work emphasizes first and last-mile connectivity, community engagement, and sustainable practices, including electric vehicle initiatives and gender inclusivity in transportation. He actively collaborates with local governments and organizations to implement projects that enhance urban mobility and promote environmental sustainability.

  

• Andrea Söhnchen

  Consultant, UITP

  Andrea Söhnchen is a Civil Engineer with extensive experience in security, crisis management, and innovation within public transport. She joined UITP in 2001 and currently manages the Urban Mobility Open Payment Forum while also serving as an expert trainer. Andrea has consulted on strategy and innovation, helping organizations stay relevant in dynamic markets. Her previous roles include strategic development for Securitas and business development at UITP, with a background in transport policy and research. She also offers consulting and has served on several professional boards.

  

• Paola Alejandra Tapia Salas

  Director, Metropolitan Public Transport Directorate of Santiago, Chile

  Former Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, the first woman to hold this position in Chile. Today she is Director of Metropolitan Public Transport of Santiago, in charge of the RED Movilidad system. She is a lawyer and holds a master’s degree in Public and Private Law, as well as various diplomas in public policy and public management. She has held various public positions such as Head of the Infrastructure and Transport Division of the Metropolitan Regional Government, Vice-President of Tren Central, Advisor to the Public Enterprise System (SEP), as well as member of the Infrastructure Policy Council (CPI), and has had a long career in various senior positions in the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.

  She is founder of Women on the Move and has been named as an outstanding woman in the area of transport worldwide on two occasions, 1st and 5th edition, of the Women Mobilize Women Conference by TUMI. Currently, she teaches at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universidad Central.

  

• Prisca Lablonde Tene Mbimi

  Head, Douala Urban Mobility Project, Cameroon

  Prisca Lablonde Tene Mbimi is a Civil Engineer, graduated in 2014 from the National Advanced School of Engineering of Yaoundé. She also holds certifications in urban transport planning. She began her professional career in a technical consulting firm, where she contributed to the construction of the second bridge over the Wouri River. In 2015, she joined the Urban Community of Douala, where she has been responsible for supervising major infrastructure projects, including the fourth bridge over the Wouri River and the development of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). Since 2018, she has been leading the Douala Urban Mobility Project, which aims to enhance public transportation and support the city’s economic development.

  

• Dr. Vu Anh Tuan

  Director, Vietnamese-Germany Transport Research Center, Vietnam

  Assoc Prof., Dr. Vu AnhTuan earned his Doctoral degree from the University of Tokyo, Japan in 2007. Prior to working for VGU, he was a Research Fellow at Japan Transport & Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI) and Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), doing research on long-term issues and strategies for urban transport in Asia.

  His research interest covers traffic engineering, smart mobility engineering, transport planning methods, innovations, and transport policies in developing countries. He is actively participating as policy advisors for key infrastructure and policy projects in Vietnam sponsored by international donors (JICA, ADB, and the World Bank), central and municipal governments.

  

• Racheal Njira Wanyamawi

  Principal Road and Rail Transport Officer, Ministry of Transport, Nairobi

  Racheal Wanyamawi is the Principal Road and Rail Transport Officer at the State Department for Transport, Kenya, since September 2024. She focuses on urban transport planning, road safety audits, and sustainable transport systems, with expertise in road and rail transport policy, electric mobility, and climate change adaptation in transport infrastructure. Racheal Wanyamawi holds a Master’s in Regional Development Studies from Toyo University, Japan, focusing on paratransit in Nairobi. She has also held roles as Assistant Secretary at the State Department for Transport and Assistant County Commissioner in the Ministry of Interior, where she focused on policy dissemination and community engagement.

  

• Dzvenyslava Tyslyukevych

  Head of CIVINET, Ukraine

  Dzvenyslava Tyslyukevych is the Head of CIVINET Ukraine, a national network uniting over 10 Ukrainian cities and nearly 20 members committed to advancing sustainable urban mobility. With over five years of experience as a project manager in the fields of mobility and urban planning, she leads initiatives that support cities in Ukraine through advocacy, capacity-building events, and international exchange. Her current work is dedicated to promoting integrated, people-centered transport solutions and strengthening collaboration between local governments, practitioners, and European partners.

  

• Ben Welle

  Director, Integrated Transport, WRI

  Ben Welle is the Director of Integrated Transport & Innovation at the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. He leads global initiatives focused on public transport, informal transit systems, mobility planning, access to opportunities, traffic safety, walking and cycling infrastructure, and innovations in sustainable mobility. Prior to this role, he was a Senior Associate for Urban Mobility at WRI. He also served as Assistant Director at the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land, working on public space, green infrastructure, and transport planning. Ben Welle has additional experience in finance and state government in Minnesota. He holds a Master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, USA.

  

• Solène Baffi

  Sustainability Mobility Expert, MYC

  Solène Baffi is a Doctor of Geography and coordinates technical cooperation in Senegal, Egypt, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire within CODATU, as well as training and scientific activities. In this capacity, she is also a research associate of the PRODIG laboratory (UMR 8586). She currently collaborates closely with the MobiliseYourCity Secretariat, supporting the Capacity Building team. With her expertise, she plays a key role in promoting sustainable urban mobility and capacity building across these regions.

  

• Nicolás Cruz González

  Sustainable Mobility Expert, MYC

  Nicolas Cruz Conzález is a Sustainable Mobility Expert at the Global Secretariat of the MobiliseYourCity Partnership in Brussels, Belgium. As part of the Capacity Development team of the Secretariat, he contributes to the definition of the overall methodological framework of the Partnership. Before joining MobiliseYourCity in December 2021, he worked for international organizations such as SLoCaT, CAF (the Development Bank of Latin America) and the UNFCCC. For some years, he also supported in planning and implementation processes of sustainable mobility policy in Bogota, Colombia as well as environmental actions in the transport sector in the city.

  

• Daphne Gross-Jansen

  Deputy Head of Division ‘Energy, Urban Development and Mobility’ BMZ

  Daphne Gross-Jansen is the Deputy Head of Division for Energy, Urban Development, and Mobility at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). She studied political science, economics, geography, Latin American history, Spanish, and Portuguese. Before joining BMZ in 2009, she worked on migration, human rights, and children’s rights. At BMZ, she has focused on decentralized development cooperation, education for sustainable development, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable mobility.

  

• Jens Giersdorf

  Management Head of TUMI GIZ

  Since 2022 Jens Giersdorf is the Management Head of TUMI. He joined TUMI in August 2020 as the focal point of the TUMI E-Bus Mission. Between 2013 and 2020 he had been working for GIZ in Brazil with a focus on bioenergy and electric mobility. He holds a PhD in political science from the Freie Universität Berlin.

  

• Stefan Mager

  Head of Infrastructure - Energy, Water, Environment GIZ

  Stefan Mager is Head of Infrastructure – Energy, Water, Mobility. With over 17 years of experience at GIZ, he has led diverse programs across sectors including waste management, circular economy, and sustainable infrastructure. His work spans countries such as Kosovo and Germany, focusing on global energy transitions, just transition strategies, and inclusive water and sanitation systems. Stefan Mager holds a background in political science and public policy and is known for his cross-sectoral approach to sustainability, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to social impact.

  

• Keisha Mayuga

  Transport Policy Advisor, GIZ

  Keisha Mayuga is an urban planner with expertise in sustainable mobility in Asia focused on the intersections between mobility, gender, inclusivity, inequality, and health. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Mobility from TU Berlin and has a background in urban planning and journalism. Previously, she worked with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank where she focused on transport finance and active transport planning. She is part of 2023’s Remarkable Feminist Voices in Transport and was awarded as one of the Philippines’ Top Outsdanding Women in Service in 2022 for her work in Urban Transport.

  

• Mathias Merforth

  Transport Policy Advisor, GIZ

  Mathias Merforth serves both as a Project Planning Officer for transport & mobility at GIZ and as Capacity Development Coordinator for TUMI. His previous workstations include GIZ transport projects in Ukraine, Mexico and Germany, where he also worked for a Regional Public Transport Authority, managing larger bus service contracts. He holds a master’s degree in Transportation Economics.

  

• Lena Plikat

  Transport Policy Advisor, GIZ

  Lena Plikat has experience in divers sectors of urban planning and mobility, including consulting, project management, research and communication. In her role at GIZ, Lena focuses on leveraging transport data to enhance inclusive and climate-friendly urban transport systems. Prior to joining GIZ, she has worked at the German Aerospace Centre,

  

• Frederik Strompen

  Project Director Sustainable Transport, GIZ

  Frederik Strompen has been Project Director for TUMI since March 2025. Prior to this, he served as Mobility Advisor in the Mayor’s Office and as Chief of Staff in the Department of Transport of the City of Cologne. With a background in transport economics and expertise in policy and e-mobility, he has contributed to urban mobility projects around the world — including nine years with GIZ in Africa and Asia.

  

• Sasank Vermuri

  Director of TUMI, GIZ; Head of Global Secretariat MYC

  Sasank Vemuri is the Coordinator of the Global Secretariat for the MobiliseYourCity Partnership in Brussels, Belgium. Before joining the MobiliseYourCity Secretariat in May 2019, Sasank worked for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since 2013. Sasank is a father, a committed development professional, an economist, and an American. In addition to Belgium, he has also lived in worked in Vietnam, Philippines, India, Germany and the United States.

  

• Corinna Winter

  Transport Policy Advisor, GIZ

  Corinna Winter is involved in the design and preparation of new transport projects at GIZ. She advises on sustainable mobility and promotes knowledge management within GIZ’s transport community. She holds a M.Sc. in Transportation Sciences and a M.Sc. in Finance & Information Management. Corinna Winter has participated in mobility projects across Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Previously she has also worked at civity Management Consultants on urban mobility and rail transport and at the KfW Development Bank on climate finance.