We are truly grateful for having a wonderful team behind the 2026 Project Control Summit. Following is a list of our conference team members and their technical background.
John Theis’s professional journey has shaped him into a versatile specialist in Project Controls, where he has expertly guided projects across the entire lifecycle, from conception to operational excellence. With an illustrious career spanning over 15 years, John’s path has been closely intertwined with the dynamic and demanding landscape of the oil and gas industry, where he has consistently served prominent companies with distinction.
John possesses an innate understanding of the intricate dynamics of this sector, which has fueled his contributions to its growth and innovation. His true passion lies in harnessing his industry acumen and formidable leadership skills to not only meet project objectives but to transcend expectations.
Whether it involves crafting intricate strategies, fostering team cohesion, or navigating the complex terrain of project management, John is unwaveringly dedicated to delivering exceptional value and making a tangible impact in the projects he undertakes. His career is a testament to his commitment to excellence and his ability to drive success in the ever-evolving field of Project Controls.
Abdul Naveed, a Civil Engineer by profession, earned his degree from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Pakistan in 2006.
With a remarkable career spanning over 16 years, Abdul Naveed is a seasoned professional in the realm of construction project execution, Project Planning, Monitoring & Controlling, and the adept handling of extension of time claims and cost claims. His wealth of experience is showcased through his contributions to high-value projects across the UAE, Qatar, and Pakistan.
Abdul Naveed is not only a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) but also holds professional memberships with PMI (Project Management Institute) and AACEI (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International). His proficiency extends to the mastery of Primavera P6, a testament to his commitment to staying at the forefront of project management tools.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Abdul Naveed is a dedicated advocate for continuous self-development. He generously volunteers at various international events, showcasing his commitment to giving back to the professional community. Furthermore, he nurtures a deep passion for travel and exploration, a passion that has broadened his horizons and enriched his perspective.
Oscar, a Project Controls Specialist at Mott Macdonald, specializes in the realm of cost reporting for pipeline and facility projects, alongside proficiency in crafting proposal estimates. His journey with Mott Macdonald spans a productive year, building upon his prior role as a Project Manager Assistant at Power Engineers.
Boasting five years of invaluable experience within the Energy/Oil and Gas sector, Oscar is not only fluent but truly proficient in both Spanish and English, with native-level proficiency in each language. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he remains an active volunteer, generously contributing his time and expertise. Oscar takes great pride in his association with esteemed organizations such as PMI (Project Management Institute) and AACE International, where he continues to enrich his professional network and further elevate his skills.
Jamie Marzonie’s vision is to “Deliver Value from Uncertainty”. He brings practical experience and strategic insights from project management, project controls, risk management, and decision management across multiple industries including energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing, and telecommunications. With a global experience and outlook, he has delivered excellence to both technical and commercial values.
As Manager of Project Operations & subject matter expert for Risk & Decision Management at Integrated Project Services, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Jamie works to staff and manage project control teams in addition to providing direct Risk Management support to multibillion dollar projects in the semiconductor and life sciences space.
Beyond his role at IPS, Jamie is also the Owner of Decision Controls, LLC, where he applies his approach to decision-making with risk management as a key component. During his time as Corporate Project Risk Manager at Albemarle Corporation, he helped develop risk management standards and led the project controls peer review process. His career includes positions at Subsea 7, Technip, Cameron Subsea, and Rabbit Semiconductor, where he has been consistently focused on achieving critical success factors in complex, high-value projects.
Jamie is also the chair of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Gulf Coast Section Career Advancement Network Committee, Vice President of the St. Elizabeth Anne Seaton Catholic School Advisory Board, and member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Society of Decision Professionals (SDP), and the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE). He holds a Philosophy degree from the University of California and is enrolled in an MBA program with an emphasis on data analytics from the University of Louisiana.
Mauricio Hernandez is a seasoned IT and supply chain leader with over 20 years of experience delivering impactful technology solutions and digital transformation initiatives across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. With a deep understanding of IT infrastructure, software development, and ITIL processes, Mauricio has successfully led large-scale IT programs, business interface strategies, and enterprise-wide technology implementations.
Currently serving as a Program Manager at Shell, he plays a key role in program planning, stakeholder management, project performance, and business case preparation. His expertise extends to IT governance, risk management, and supply chain optimization, ensuring technology aligns with organizational values, mindset, and business objectives.
A strategic thinker and mentor, Mauricio is passionate about developing high-performing teams and fostering environments that encourage continuous learning and growth. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence, making him a trusted advisor for digital transformation, IT service management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP).
I am a Project Controls Specialist with a master’s degree in civil engineering from University of Toronto and over a decade of global construction industry experience across both General Contractor and Design Consultant settings. My work focuses on developing and managing fully integrated project schedules—from bid stage through design, procurement, and construction—ensuring alignment, accuracy, and transparency for multidisciplinary teams.
I am passionate about bringing structure, clarity, and foresight to complex projects. My expertise includes schedule risk analysis, delay monitoring, progress reporting, and high-level time management reporting for Owners and key stakeholders. In previous roles, I’ve also supported contract management, claims analysis, forensic scheduling, and dispute resolution, contributing to expert reports and productivity assessments on large-scale infrastructure projects.
I thrive in dynamic project environments and enjoy helping teams make data-driven decisions that keep projects moving forward efficiently.
Sujay is a seasoned project professional, bringing over two decades of exceptional leadership in project services to the table. His wealth of experience has been cultivated through prominent roles within large multinational resource companies. Currently, he holds the esteemed position of Manager – PMO at Rio Tinto.
Sujay’s expertise shines in his ability to lead diverse project services teams, steering them to triumph in the delivery of mega projects. He is a fervent advocate for the practice of integrated project controls, seamlessly merging various elements to ensure project success.
With a passion for leveraging technology and data analytics in the workplace, Sujay is at the forefront of innovation. He generously shares his wisdom, mentoring graduates and aspiring young professionals, guiding them towards prosperous careers in project controls.
One of Sujay’s key strengths lies in his significant experience in project schedule and cost risk management, a skill set honed through years of hands-on practice. His journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence and a profound understanding of the intricacies of project management in the resource industry.
Haider Ali Chughtai is a seasoned engineering professional with over 14 years of progressive experience in construction, engineering, commissioning, and start-up (C&SU) planning & scheduling. His expertise spans enterprise-wide integrated project controls, with a strong emphasis on life cycle project management for Oil & Gas projects ranging from $10 million to $1.5 billion CAD.
Haider has a proven track record in implementing advanced project controls techniques, including Earned Value Measurement (EVM), trending, forecasting, and change management. His experience extends to developing construction work packages, managing tenders, and overseeing contractor performance throughout all project phases. He has played a critical role in creating master schedules, CPM networks, and engineering, procurement, commissioning, turnaround, and shutdown schedules to drive project efficiency and timely execution.
A skilled problem solver and critical thinker, Haider thrives in high-pressure environments, ensuring effective liaison between contractors, engineering teams, and construction management. His leadership skills and ability to motivate teams toward project success have been instrumental in achieving company and project goals.
With a university degree in Production Engineering, Mariana is a Business Analyst at Deloitte working with Infrastructure & Capital Projects. She has experience in the energy sector, supporting project governance initiatives and assisting teams with business process modeling, decision-making structures, and project execution..
Emily Wells is a strategic IT operations leader dedicated to optimizing processes and enhancing business performance. While with Shell she was instrumental in improving IT operations for Shell Assets by streamlining service integration, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and refining contract management to achieve $114M annual savings. Her expertise spans Agile methodologies, IT governance, incident management, and data analysis, enabling her to drive efficiency and innovation across IT operations.
Previously while a Senior IT Site Operations Lead at Shell, Emily supported 1,600 users, modernized IT infrastructure, and led AI-enabled safety initiatives that earned industry recognition. But her passion for innovation and inclusion extends beyond her professional role and into her community, where she actively contributes to initiatives that promote diversity in technology. She is a lifelong learner and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Communications from the University of Connecticut.
Sheethal has been a Project Manager at Shorou International for over a decade delivering Business Process Automation solutions to harness the power of real time data extracted from various data sources, control systems and instruments.
These technology implementations and advanced analytics empower business users with Digital Transformation using data applications across the various departments of an organization for better monitoring and tracking of business operations across the Oil and Gas sector in the Middle East.
She holds degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Business Administration and is a certified Project Management Professional.
Precious is a project planning and controls professional with experience working with project & leadership teams to establish and maintain integrated plans that translate strategy into executable schedules, drive project readiness, and strengthen delivery confidence through disciplined monitoring and change control. Precious champions decision quality by structuring and analyzing options to align stakeholders, build actionable commitment, and enable timely, well-governed strategic business decisions.
As a volunteer at the 2026 Project Control Summit, Precious will support event delivery and logistics, helping to ensure a seamless, high-standard experience where project controls practitioners can learn, connect, and collectively advance the profession.
Mustapha B. Drammeh is a PMO and Project Controls analytics leader with over 13 years of experience spanning technology, healthcare, utilities, supply chain, and infrastructure-driven environments. He currently serves as a Senior Project Analyst within Real Estate & Workplace Services at Exact Sciences, supporting capital and workplace programs that enable Exact Sciences mission of helping to detect cancer earlier.
Mustapha’s background includes project controls and business performance roles at Alliant Energy, healthcare systems implementation work with Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Services supporting the Affordable Care Act and ICD-10 compliance, and governance leadership as a former executive board member of The Road Home of Dane County. His experience also extends to nonprofit leadership, global infrastructure initiatives, and community development efforts across the United States and West Africa.
As a member of the Project Controls Summit planning committee, Mustapha is proud to represent Exact Sciences and contribute to advancing the global project controls and PMO community.
CEO, Project Control Academy
Role at the Summit: Conference Co-Chair
Dr. Kamran Akbarzadeh, a distinguished figure in the field of project management, serves as the visionary CEO of the Project Control Academy. He is not only the author of award-winning books, “Leadership Soup” and “Get What You Want,” but also possesses a rich professional background encompassing over 17 years of experience.
Throughout his illustrious career, Kamran has excelled as a project manager, subject matter expert, program leader, and partnership advisor within major corporations. Beyond the corporate world, he has forged a successful path as an entrepreneur and coach, firmly believing in the inherent potential within every individual to lead and achieve their aspirations.
Kamran’s passion lies in coaching and training both individuals and businesses to overcome challenges, fulfill their dreams, and accelerate their growth. In his role as CEO of the Project Control Academy, he steers the institution toward a brighter future, overseeing its strategic direction and executing plans to deliver even greater value to project professionals globally.
Simultaneously, Kamran is dedicated to empowering project professionals, helping them enhance their mindset, refine leadership and interpersonal skills, and thrive in both their personal and professional lives. His impressive educational credentials include a PhD in Chemical Engineering, PMP certification from the Project Management Institute, and the prestigious title of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International. Kamran’s impact on the world of project management and leadership is both profound and far-reaching.
Founder & Technical Director, Project Control Academy
Role at the Summit: Conference Co-Chair
Shohreh Ghorbani stands as an internationally acclaimed program developer and instructor, specializing in the intricate realm of Project Controls. In her role as the Founder and Technical Director of Project Control Academy, the foremost provider of comprehensive online training programs in project controls and earned value management, Shohreh has transformed the careers of countless professionals.
Through her expert guidance, thousands have elevated their project controls skills to new heights. Shohreh’s teaching prowess is matched by her extensive hands-on experience, spanning a diverse spectrum of project controls technical areas across various industries. Her clients universally acknowledge her as a passionate trainer who excels in simplifying and demystifying the complexities of project controls.
Shohreh’s remarkable contributions to the field were recognized in April 2018 when she was featured as the “Woman in Project Controls” honoree by AACE International Source Magazine. In addition to this accolade, Shohreh holds esteemed titles including a licensed Project Management Professional (PMP) recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and a professional member of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International). Her commitment to communication excellence is evident through her certification as an “Advanced Communicator Silver” by Toastmasters International.
Behind her impressive credentials lies a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, underscoring Shohreh’s dedication to academic and professional excellence. Her impact on the world of project controls and education is profound and enduring, making her a true luminary in her field
