Future Thinkers

Anders Hyrup

Vice President Sales & Projects JSI Alliance (Jumbo, SAL, Intermarine Alliance)

Cyril Varghese

Global Logistics Director Fluor

Dharmendra Gangrade

Head of Logistics Management Center & Project Director for Digital Transformation and AI in Logistics Larsen & Toubro

Dharmendra is Head of Logistics Management Center & Project Director for Digital Transformation and AI in Logistics for Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (known as L&T) and is leading global shipping & logistics function for L&T’s multiple and diverse businesses based at global Head Office at Mumbai.

In the past, Dharmendra has successfully led and managed complex shipping & logistics operations with large MNCs and Indian companies including global EPC company Technip Energies, German global leader in Chemicals BASF, makers of Fevicol, FeviKwik and Dr. Fixit brands Pidilite, India’s largest private sector enterprise Reliance Industries in Retail & Petroleum businesses and in Automobile sector with Tata Motors and Mahindra Group.

Dharmendra is a subject matter expert and thought leader on the topics of global Shipping & Logistics and has been regularly invited to share his thoughts in many global conferences and top Business Schools worldwide including USA, UAE, Singapore, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Brazil, Malaysia among others.

Also, Dharmendra is a member of Editorial Advisory Board for a world-renowned shipping magazine published as ’BREAKBULK’ of Hyve Group, UK. He is also a member of WEF’s ( World Economic Forum, Davos) Task Force along with other experts on WEF’s Moving India initiative of NITI Aayog (erstwhile Planning Commission of India), “Igniting India’s transition to zero emission road freight”. In addition, he is member of ‘Ports, Shipping and Logistics Committee’ of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry , and member of Logistics and Transportation Committee of Indian Merchant Chamber (IMC) of Commerce and Industry.

In addition, Dharmendra is Chairman of Disaster Aid India and a Board member of  Disaster Aid International, UK which extends support for humanitarian and disaster relief program for community in need across the globe. Further, he has led various community service projects under the aegis of Rotary International in various capacity including its President for a local Rotary Club in Mumbai.
 

Dorothy Jiang

Assistant Professor and Co-Director, Bauer Human-Centered AI Institute C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston

Dr. Gulshan Singh

Global Procurement Data Analytics Manager Huntsman Corporation

Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue

Professor at the Department of Maritime Business Administration Texas A&M Galveston

Dr. Mehdi Azimi

Associate Professor Transportation Studies | College of Engineering, Science, and Technology (COSET) Texas Southern University

Frank Guzman

Senior Director Project Logistics Global C.H. Robinson

Geir Eilif Kalhagen

Maritime Division Director Texas Department of Transportation

John Hark

Chartering Director - North America, Bertling Logistics Adjunct Professor, Texas A&M

John has been in the Houston maritime industry for 30+ years and holds Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Maritime Business Administration and Logistics from Texas A&M. He started with Bertling in 2002 as Director of North America Vessel Operations. After moving to Bertling’s logistics division, he held various management roles within North and South America. He is currently the North America Chartering Director.

John has also been an Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University since 2002. Active in various industry and education initiatives, John is the current President of the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, sits on advisory councils for Lone Star College, Texas A&M, Houston City College, TSU, Galveston College, and San Jacinto College and is a board member of the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education nonprofit organization.

He is also on the International Propeller Club Board, Houston Maritime Center and Museum Advisory Board, is a member of the Houston Institute of Supply Management Executive Advisory Board, chairs the Education Subcommittee for the Houston District Export Council and sits on the Editorial Board for Breakbulk Magazine.

In April 2020, he founded the Houston Supply Chain/Logistics Education Collective to proactively minimize the logistics industry talent gap and foster industry relationships with educators and students in the Greater Houston region.
 

Jonathan Cournoyer

Global Discipline Director, Logistics Hatch

Jonathan has served as the Global Discipline Director of Logistics at Hatch since 2018. With over 30 years of experience in international logistics, he has spent 10 years as a ship agent and operations manager at the port of Sorel-Tracy, and nearly 18 years at Hatch, contributing to numerous studies and execution projects worldwide in various roles. His expertise spans pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, project execution setups, and all modes of transportation, including trucking, rail, ocean/river, and air. Jonathan has played a pivotal role in hiring and training new team members.

In his current role, Jonathan has expanded his team from 5 to 22 members, focusing on integrating seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds with young, bright, and eager-to-learn individuals. This blend offers the younger generation exceptional learning opportunities, allowing them to thrive and deepen their understanding of the project logistics industry. The team is now rolling out training materials to support the long-term growth of all team members in various aspects of project logistics.

 

Lucas Strom

Head of Industrial Projects US DHL Global Forwarding

Marco Poisler

Industry Advisory Chair & Faculty Member, University of Houston Human-Centered AI Institute COO, Global Energy & Capital Projects, UTC Overseas, Inc.

Marco Poisler is a key figure in global logistics and serves on UTC Overseas' Global Executive Management Team and Board of Directors. He is Industry Advisory Chair and a faculty member of the University of Houston's Human-Centered AI Institute. He studied economics at Georgetown University and earned a Master's degree in Transportation from SUNY Maritime. He opens the workshop and moderates throughout, framing how AI is moving from experimentation into everyday breakbulk and project-cargo operations, drawing on his UTAUT-based research into AI adoption in maritime operations.

Margaret Kidd

President Houston Maritime Center & Museum

Mohammad Jaber

CEO Combi Lift Project Logistics MEA

Srividhya Vaidyanathan

Global Process Owner – Lubricants Supply Chain Shell

Steve Hill

Director, Global Operations – Logistics & Trade Compliance McDermott