Keynote Speaker
GIORGIO TRAVAINI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – EUROPEs RAIL JOINT UNDERTAKING
Giorgio is heading the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking as Executive Director since his appointment in May 2024, and leading the organisation since March 2023 as ad interim and acting Executive Director. He has been responsible for the 1,2Bn€ Europe’s Rail R&I integrated Programme since 2021 as Head of Programme.He has been supervising as head of R&I the 920M€ R&I Programme of Shift2Rail (S2R), since 2015. Before, he was a Senior Corporate advisor at UNIFE, advising on strategic topics and preparing S2R. Since 2007, as Senior Technical Manager, he supervised several R&I projects, teams and technical committees. He was also secretary of ERRAC. In 2006, he assisted Mr Paolo Costa, Chairman of Transport Committee of the European Parliament. In 2004 he joined the EU environment, working for the European Chamber of Commerce association and the Valle d’Aosta Regional representation office. Prior to that he had other international experiences with Procter & Gamble in Rome and with BNP Paribas Cardiff in Paris. He holds an Engineering Degree (Polytechnic of Turin) and a Master Degree in Public Affairs (London South Bank University).
SABINE BIESHEUVEL
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR – BLUE CITY
Sabine Biesheuvel is co-founder and director of BlueCity, a hub focused on circular entrepreneurship. Based in a former swimming pool in Rotterdam BlueCity hosts +50 circular entrepreneurs and runs over 60 circular projects with 200 companies a year. She is also a circular advisor for the Municipality of Rotterdam and chair of the sustainable and circular committee at SME Rijmond and Supervisory Board member at Springtij and Buurvrouw. Sabine is originally a cultural anthropologist. After five years of commercial consultancy at larger companies, she exchanged that role for sustainable entrepreneurship.‘
JUDIT SANDOR
PROGRAMME MANAGER & EUROPE`S RAIL JOINT UNDERTAKING
Judit Sandor studied management engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. In 2006, she started to work at the Association of the European Rail Manufacturers in Brussels where she held various positions, including Project Coordinator of FP6 and FP7 projects, Sustainability Manager and the ERTMS project manager of UNISIG. In 2014, she joined to the European Commission (DG MOVE) as Policy Officer for ERTMS and Shift2Rail. She has been working at Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking since June 2017; she is the Programme Manager for Flagship area 6 „Regional rail services“ and Flagship area 7 „Innovation on new approaches for guided transport modes“.
Panelists
JÖRG MARIENHAGEN
DIRECTOR MOBILITY CONSULTING – DB ENGINEERING & CONSULTING
Jörg Marienhagen is a passionate railway and maglev engineer with substantial experience in the management of complex both national and international railway projects. His 25+ year career has covered the complete life cycle of rail-bound infrastructure, from feasibility studies to operations. He has worked as a project manager, bid manager, and lead engineer on several projects where he had successfully managed large project teams across multiple offices, disciplines, and cultures. Whilst traveling the world for business, focal points so far have been the Middle East and the continent of Africa. Having spent his entire career in the railway industry, he works for Deutsche Bahn since 2010. Jörg is currently appointed as Director for Mobility Consulting at DB Engineering & Consulting based in Berlin, Germany.
FABIEN LÉTOURNEAUX
HEAD OF MODELLING & PASSENGER EXPERIENCE – SNCF
Fabien Létourneaux, mechanical engineer and PhD in acoustics has more than 25 years‘ experience of the railway system both from the infrastructure side (3 years spent at SYSTRA) and from the rolling stock side (more than 10 years at SNCF field test department). As head of Modelling and Passenger Experience at the Research Department, he is now supervising expert teams in operational research, artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences. He is also deeply involved in standardization and regulation activities related to noise and vibration at European level (convenor of a working group in the european technical committee „railway application“, CER speaker for the technical specification of interoperability NOISE. Since 2016 he is contributing to the Hyperloop ecosystem, managing the relationships between SNCF and the hyperloop promotors and convening a CEN-CENELEC standardization working group
KATHLEEN SCHROETER
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – ootiboo GmbH
Kathleen has a background in science communication and marketing working a total of 13 years for the prestige Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
Today she serves as the honorary chairwoman of VRBB – Virtual Reality e.V. Berlin-Brandenburg and is Co-founder and CEO of ootiboo GmbH. In collaboration with creative industry stakeholders, teachers and neuroscientists, ootiboo investigates the effects of fostering creative expression on the cognitive development, collaborative thinking, critical questioning and mental health in children and grown-up alike worldwide. In 2018, the Advanced Imaging Society (AIS) honored her with the Distinguished Leadership Award in L.A. as one of 13 influential women from the entertainment and high-tech industry. As a public speaker and moderator her insights into Deep and High Tech allow audiences to contextualize tech trends, deepen their understanding of R&D processes, and explore sci-fi scenarios that could soon become a reality.
ANDRES DE LEON
CEO HYPERLOOP TT
Known globally for his focused management style and creation of growth-oriented businesses within the infrastructure construction and alternative energy sectors, Andres de Leon was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2019. Previously, Andres had served as Chief Operations Officer for HyperloopTT for three years. Andres brings 30 years of international experience as a senior executive in manufacturing, finance management, private/public business negotiation, and tax and audit supervision to HyperloopTT. Andres has initiated and executed corporate affairs in Spain, Belgium, Portugal, France, Italy, Mexico, Chile, and the United States.
DR. LUCIENNE KROSSE
THEMATIC LEAD SMART BUILDINGS & CITIES EIT INNOENERGY
Dr. Lucienne Krosse has a background in Chemical Engineering. She obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Twente in the Netherlands. At the Technical University of Delft she worked on her PhD ‘compact thermochemical storage’. Afterwards, she started to work for the Dutch Institute for Applied Scientific Research, TNO where she served in different scientific, business and management positions. During that time she also worked for a year at the Dutch Embassy in Beijing at the department of Economic affairs. Meanwhile, she was involved in setting up a joint venture for TNO in China, BBTDC. Currently she works for InnoEnergy as thematic leader of ‘Smart Buildings and Cities’. InnoEnergy is the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. InnoEnergy invests in innovative products, services and start-ups.
DR. WOOYEON CHO
SENIOR RESEARCHER – POSCO STEEL SOLUTION RESEARCH LABORATORY
Dr. Wooyeon Cho: After receiving his doctorate in structural analysis, he has been working in the field of pipe/tube structural design for over 20 years. He works at POSCO, a steel company, and has been working with customers to optimize steel matching for each field and design the optimal structure of the steel. Currently, he is conducting research on tube structure design optimization and innovative tube structures to improve competitiveness in the hyperloop infrastructure field. In particular, he has been conducting research on ways to reduce total costs from the perspective of all stages of the process, including material supply, production, transportation, construction, and maintenance, as tube structures become larger.
THIJS SMIT
HEAD OF INNOVATION – NS
Thijs has a background in Business Administration and has worked in the rail sector for more than 10 years. As part of the Strategy and Innovation department at Dutch Railways, Thijs is responsible for accelerating innovations within the organization. Actively scouting for and starting collaborations with startups / scaleups that contribute to realizing our ambitions is an important part of this. We are proud to have been a shareholder involved in the development of Hyperloop from the very beginning.
MICHAL LETWIN
PA & STRATEGY DIRECTOR – NEVOMO
PA&Strategy Director at Nevomo, Secretary General of The Hyperloop Association, Member of the Board of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), coordinator of #EuFutureMobility Task Force for the EU Commissioner for Transport. Collaborated with Freightliner Group, LOT Polish Airlines and consulting companies. Graduated in Management and Iberian studies from the University of Warsaw, studied Economy at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB), and completed the Canadian Executive MBA program at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Comes from Tarnobrzeg, Poland.
ROEL VAN DE PAS
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR – HARDT HYPERLOOP
Roel van de Pas is a member of the board at Hardt Hyperloop in the Netherlands where holds the position of Commercial Director. Roel has a bachelors degree in Transportation Engineering from the Dutch National Transport Academy, a Masters from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Polish National Academy of Sciences. Roel has been working in sustainable mobility for almost 20 years. Along the way Roel held different management roles – in Europe and in China – for companies like Veolia Transport, e-Traction and now Hardt.
HANS VAN DER WEIJDE
DIRECTOR STRATEGY, PROGRAMMES & EXTERNAL COLLABORATIONS – TATA STEEL NEDERLAND R&D
Hans is a materials scientist and engineer who initially specialised in surface related technologies. After a short academic career at Delft University he transferred to Tata Steel (and its predecessors) in ’98 and has broadened his field of expertise since. His main specialisation is in applied electrochemistry, metallic and organic coatings, corrosion and in metal packaging but as programme director the project portfolio’s covers a much wider area of the steel industry as well as applications of steel with a special focus on the changes that are needed to renew the steel industry towards a green future.
PROF. DR. KAREL VAN DALEN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DYNAMICS OF SLOIDS & STRUCTURES – TU DELFT
Karel van Dalen is an Associate Professor at TU Delft. His work is focused on solving vibration and wave propagation problems encountered in railway tracks, in Hyperloop infrastructure and in wind-turbine foundations, based on in-depth understanding. Working on such challenges brings him a lot of satisfaction; the mechanics is very appealing, and all applications contribute to the development of a clean and sustainable society. His work is fundamental in nature, but driven by application. In addition to research, he is passionate about teaching, in which he aims to „create the spark from which a burst may flame“. During the Hyperloop Conference, he will be co-leader of the masterclass on the Development of Sustainable Infrastructure; in there, he will give an introduction into the dynamic effects that may become very pronounced at high speed as well as discuss ways to overcome those.
MARTIN JOHANN FRÖHLICH
CEO & FOUNDER HYPERLOOP CONFERENCE
Martin Johann Fröhlich belongs to a new generation of entrepreneurs. After his studies in International Management achieved around the world (Berlin, Paris, London, Chengdu/China) and his cooperation with Siemens in Denmark, he becomes self-employed. As an innovative and ambitious entrepreneur, he founds his sustainable fashion label Martin Joyeux and his Capital Fund Mother Earth Ventures, whose vision and aim is to transform our world into an ecologically compatible, socially just and economically efficient place to live in. In other words, its aspiration and contribution is to balance technology, people and planet. Currently Martin works as Senior Manager in the department Ecosystem Management and Partnerships at Deutsche Bahn. He deals with future topics, specifically he develops disruptive business models in the mobility sector and works on long-term sustainable mobility solutions such as flying taxis, hyperloop, autonomous hotel rooms.
Masterclass Captains
GABRIELE SEMINO
PROJECT LEAD – TUM HYPERLOOP
Gabriele has been actively involved in the development of hyperloop technology since 2016. Currently, he is the project lead of the TUM Hyperloop research and development program at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). TUM Hyperloop’s mission is to develop the technology necessary for ultra-fast, emission-free, and effortless transportation between mobility hubs. In July 2023 the team completed Europe’s first passenger-size demonstrator, a 24-meter-long test segment designed to test key hyperloop technologies and certified for passenger operations, and conducted the first passenger test under full vacuum conditions. While pursuing his studies, Gabriele previously served as the project lead of the TUM Hyperloop student initiative. Under his leadership, the team achieved remarkable successes, securing victories in both the 2017 and 2018 SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competitions.
LUKAS ESCHMENT
PROJECT COORDINATOR – INSTITUTE FOT HYPERLOOP TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY EMDEN/LEER
Lukas Eschment helped initiate and is now coordinating projects at the Institute of Hyperloop Technology where he is also a PhD candidate. After starting with the Hyperloop Pod Competitions and reaching out to industry partners, he is now focusing his work on Full-Scale Hyperloop Technology. He is involved in standardization at national and European level, EU projects and Hyperloop Programs like ePIcenter, the Hyperloop Development Program and the EU HyTeC project. In his research he is looking at modelling and simulation of hyperloop as well as large-scale test infrastructures. Today he is focusing on Hyperloop efforts on a European level, forming partnerships and consortia including industry and academia with the goal of developing future transportation.
BIBOP GRESTA
CEO – HYPERLOOP ITALIA
Bibop, co-founder of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), is a pioneer in Hyperloop technology and a recognized expert in advanced mobility and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He has led a global team of 800 professionals, positioning HTT as the first company to develop Hyperloop™. His expertise spans venture capital, finance, M&A, transportation, and media. A sought-after speaker on impact investments and advanced mobility, he has presented at the World Economic Forum, United Nations, and TEDx. As an executive member of the Innovation Hub at the National Observatory for Marine Protection, he champions ethical entrepreneurship, transhumanism, and sustainability. Bibop has been a guest lecturer at prestigious universities worldwide. He embodies the spirit of innovation, ethics, and sustainable progress, promoting a future where technology benefits humanity and our planet.
MICHAEL HENGST
HYPERLOOP ENTHUSIAST
Studies of Aerospace Engineering and MBA, always had a strong focus on Operations, Customer Services, Digital Transformation & Innovation Experienced Executive with 22 years of management experience in different Transportation Industries (Aerospace, Automotive and Railways), ran several companies as MD/CEO. Hyperloop Enthusiast, active member of HyperloopTT since 2018, in charge of Operations and Support, Safety, Quality and Risk Management.
Experts
JOHANNES WINTER
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE SMART INFRASTRUCTURE – DREES & SOMMER
Johannes is a highly skilled professional with a university degree in mechanical engineering and economics. He has over 15 years of experience in the automated people mover and transportation industry having worked as a Director of Operations and CEO for Cable Cars, and Automated People Mover Projects in the US, Canada, UK, Qatar, Mexico, and Macau SAR. Johannes has an impressive track record of success, having served as Operations Director for international transit projects. In all of these roles, he oversaw long-term Operations and Maintenance contracts, ensuring that the projects were delivered on time and within budget. Since 2022 he is leading the development and implementation of Operational Excellence as a holistic approach for smart infrastructure projects throughout their lifecycle. Johannes is a respected thought leader in the industry, having published several papers and spoken at numerous international conferences and events in Europe, North America and Asia. He is passionate about leveraging his skills and experience to drive innovation and improve outcomes for clients across the globe.
DR. CHRISTOPH ROSS
BDM MAGNETIC APPLICATIONS – AK STEEL INTERNATIONAL
Christoph Ross has a background in physics. Within AK Steel International and its business network he supports project engineering for meeting electromagnetic and advanced requirements of iron and special materials. His consultancy is based on a reliable and sustainable material selection. It contributes to technology readiness in many fields of innovation. Concepts for transportation and energy sources form a major interrelated field of interest. Hyperloop engineering groups offer perspectives for the acquisition of various projects as they are embedded in an environment of developing technologies, scientific infrastructure and innovation management.
MARIELIES BECKER
SENIOR INNOVATION MANAGER AEROSPACE & HYPERLOOP – BERLIN PARTNER OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY
Since 2020 Senior Innovation Manager Aerospace + Hyperloop at Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, which is the Economic Development Agency of Berlin. Several years of Experience in Research and Development in the Industry as well as in the Scientific field. Master of Engineering in Composite Materials.
MICHAEL STEININGER
MARKET SECTOR MANAGER – LEYBOLD INDUSTRIAL VACUUM
Michael Steininger works as a Global Business Development Manager for Industrial Vacuum within the Leybold GmbH, a member of the Swedish Atlas Copco group. Constantly challenged by new emerging markets with different technologies and demands, he has to transform the input to a business strategy and has to outline the influence on existing vacuum designs and initiate new pump developments. In view of the enormous potential of Hyperloop, a high-speed, vacuum based, ground transportation system for which the company became a key technology partner, he closely accompanies Hyperloop activities all over the world for many years.
GIUSEPPE CARCASI
TEAM LEADER OF THE „STUDIES AND SYSTEM INNOVATION“ B.U., RETE FERROVIARIA ITALIANA (RFI)
Giuseppe has more than 12 years of experience in RFI, the Italian railway Infrastructure Manager. Since 2018, he is in charge of exploring future mobility scenarios to identify long term strategies and investment needs for the infrastructural and technological enhancement of the transport system focusing on the railway network and rapid transit solutions, new advanced transport systems, new technologies & digital transformation initiatives, decarbonisation & energy transformation initiatives, risk evaluation of climate change effects & adaptation actions. Giuseppe is a mechanical engineer (BSc and MSc) and holds a PhD in Economics of Monetary and Financial Markets from La Sapienza, University of Rome.
DR. FLORENTIA KAVOURA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR STEEL & COMPOSITE SECTION – TU DELFT
Florentia Kavoura is an Assistant Professor in the Steel and Composite Structures section at TU Delft. Through her research, she aims to develop a theoretical framework that focuses on optimal material use and the advancement of sustainable technical solutions for the reuse of steel and steel-concrete composite infrastructural systems. Her teaching activities at TU Delft are centered around her research on steel structures and the technical benefits and challenges of composite and reusable construction. During the Hyperloop Conference, and the masterclass on the Development of Sustainable Infrastructure she will give an introduction on the design requirements under static loading and design concepts for optimal material use.
SASKIA MEYNHARDT
HEAD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT – DREES & SOMMER
Saskia recently joined Drees & Sommer as Head of Public Transport. Her more than 20 years‘ experience base on an extensive background in consulting, public transport and financial sector development having gained project experience in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. With a diverse educational background with university degrees as an economist and in regulatory and competition law, she is driven to combine her technical sector know how towards accelerating innovation in the transport industry as a public value. Her contributions involves, e.g. setting standards to the transport sector in order to harmonize cooperation on EU level. Before joining Drees & Sommer she worked for the biggest regional transport provider as well as the infrastructure manager in Germany.
KLAUS RUDISCHHAUSER
DIRECTOR GENERAL – HYPERLOOP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM)
Klaus Rudischhauser has been with the European Commission since 1989 in many different positions. From 2003-2007 he worked in the Directorate-General for Transport and Energy, where he was responsible for the Trans-European transport Networks (TEN-T). Later, he was Deputy Director-General and Acting Director General in the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. Since 2017, Klaus Rudischhauser has been Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary as head of the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico. Recently he was a Senior Advisor to the German Minister for International Cooperation and for the Director General of UNIDO in Vienna. In January 2024, he has been appointed as Director General of the Hyperloop Development Programme.