Bios
Billie Bazin
France
Billie Bazin, 26, holds a Master's degree in International Governance and a Master's degree in Communications from Sciences Po Lille (France) and the University of Münster (Germany). Following her studies, in 2021, she completed an internship at the French Embassy in Austria, then worked for a year at the French Embassy in Germany, in the cultural service. At the same time, she is committed to heritage restoration across the globe, taking part in volunteer restoration projects. She has taken part in 9 restoration projects in Germany, Austria, Ukraine, Spain, Georgia, Tunisia and, most recently, China. Since March 2024, she has been working as an international project manager for the REMPART association. She is now looking to specialize in post-recovery heritage management, in order to develop projects involving volunteers. REMPART is a French non-profit organization with a network of over 200 associations throughout France and 50 foreign partners.
Çağla Parlak holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul University and furthered her studies in Museum Management. Between 2015 and 2020, she worked as a Projects Manager at the Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. She has led numerous endeavors in the field of cultural heritage, including post-earthquake documentation, architectural heritage at risk and capacity-building projects. Throughout her career, she has also actively contributed to research projects focusing on threats to religious sites and policy-level changes in cultural heritage management. In 2017, Çağla was nominated from Türkiye to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program of the US Department of State, where she focused on cultural heritage preservation. In 2022, she was honored as a Europa Nostra fellow in Brussels. Currently, she is the Vice-Chair of KMKD and a freelance project manager for different organizations mainly in the cultural preservation domain with a specific focus on minority heritage, cultural rights, and promotion of intercultural dialogue.
Çağla Parlak
Türkiye
Carlo Padiglione
Italy
Carlo is an aspiring professional in cultural diplomacy and cultural heritage preservation, both tangible and intangible, interested in the intersection between culture and sustainable development. Demonstrated yet limited working and volunteering experience at the international level with UNESCO; Interregional Organizations and NGOs, dealing with cultural policies, World Heritage Sites, education, capacity building, and development in different social-cultural scenarios. Specialized in international relations with a particular focus on Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. Research interests include Eastern cultures, the impact of heritage in disadvantaged communities, colonialism and postcolonial studies, healing processes from historical traumas, and diversity of cultural expressions among developing countries.
Carmen Gómez Maestro
Spain
I am an architect specialised in heritage preservation and earth construction. I currently direct the Diploma on Earth Construction at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, as well as the technical programs Heritage Goods Restoration Programme and Architectural Drawing and Modelling Programme at Duoc UC Valparaíso. In this role, I am responsible for the implementation of academic curricula, as well as the creation and development of community engagement and research initiatives with faculty members and students. Within them, I serve as project lead for “XIX and early XX Architecture of Valparaíso”, an in-depth digital survey developed through the Oxford Brookes Endangered Wooden Architecture Programme. As founding member of Reclaiming Heritage (2012-2018), I participated in post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Chile and - briefly - Haiti, focusing on the recovery of heritage areas and material reuse with local communities. Since 2017 I have consulted for institutions, architecture and building practices in Chile.
I am an anthropologist and cultural professional with six years of experience at UNESCO in the fields of cultural, artistic and educational policy. I am currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, as Project Officer for Culture at the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, providing technical assistance to thirteen countries to implement measures to preserve their cultural and natural heritage, safeguard intangible cultural heritage practices, museum collections, as well as to promote dynamic cultural sectors through policy support, capacity building and partnership development, including in the context of emergencies. Between 2018 and 2023 at UNESCO Headquarters, I contributed to the implementation of different projects to promote the rights and heritage of Indigenous Peoples, as well initiatives supporting countries to advance culture and arts education and peace education. I have an academic background in social sciences and cultural anthropology. I am Italian, fluent in English and French languages, and truly enjoy working in a multicultural environment.
Cristina Cusenza Italy
Italy
Dana Ozania
Palestine
I’m an architect and researcher based in Palestine, and part of Riwaq’s team (Center for Architectural Conservation) since 2018, being the director of the Historic Centers Rehabilitation Unit, and a lead architect in “The Life Jacket Project” aiming at the revitalization and development of rural Jerusalem. I also contribute as a researcher and co-editor to Riwaq’s “Monograph Series on The Architectural History of Palestine”. I’m a member of ICOMOS and a member of its national steering committee. I hold a BA in architectural engineering from Birzeit University and an MA in Research Architecture from Goldsmiths University of London. For 15 years, my experience spanned between academia, research, heritage conservation, and community-based cultural practices, and have been leading projects of different scopes ranging from preventive conservation up to rehabilitation projects of historic centres in Palestine, including projects in areas under extreme geopolitical conditions such as rural Jerusalem. As part of Riwaq, I’m currently contributing to the collective efforts towards the protection, revitalization and the recovery of cultural heritage in Gaza once the war ends.
Eleana Beruka
Albania
I am a licensed architect, with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and a Master of Architecture (MArch) from Westminster and Greenwich Universities respectively, in the UK. After having worked in small scale residential projects in office based jobs, I returned to Albania and joined the team at the National Territorial Planning Agency (NTPA). During my time at the Agency, I have been involved in various projects from the metabolic analysis of the territory, to the drafting process of the first National Document on Territorial Planning, the drafting and coordination of the General Local Plans and the Detailed Local Plans, to the monitoring platforms of these Planning Documents and to various research based studies regarding territorial planning. The National Document on Territorial Planning is the highest instrument of urban planning in Albania and it provides the legal framework for sustainable development and for the harmonization of the sectorial policies.
I am Elisa Trapani, an Italian conservation architect born on April 10, 1978. I hold an MA in Architecture and advanced qualifications in Computer Graphics for Virtual Heritage and Diagnostic of Cultural Heritage from the Scientific and Technological Centre of the Ministry of Education, University, and Research in Rome. Throughout my career, I have specialized in the conservation and restoration of historic sites. My roles have included Senior Conservation Architect at the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Team Leader at HYDEA. I have led major projects such as the Lahore Fort Conservation Management Plan in Pakistan and the Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Heritage Management Plan. My expertise lies in urban regeneration, heritage management, and integrating sustainable practices in conservation. I am dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and have worked on diverse projects across Italy, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Proficient in Italian and English, I also possess advanced IT skills, including Autocad, Adobe Suite, and ArchGis.
Elisa Trapani
Italy
Gayeon Park
South Korea
Having been involved in heritage field as an official of Korea Heritage Service more than eight years, I am currently in charge of international cooperation including South and North Korea and heritage promotion. Some of my main tasks include joining the Convention for Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954 Hague Convention) and building global heritage network by supporting transnational research. I have been interested in heritage sector as I always indulge myself in world history and culture since I was young. As a result, I studied in London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for Master's and Seoul National University for Bachelor's, and researched how to protect and promote world heritage sustainably through official development aid, and encourage heritage industry in business.
Geraldine Freyria Ojeda Flon
Mexico
Graduated in 2017, been working with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in the National Program of Reconstruction doing damage assessment, budgeting and supervising in situ of ongoing projects. Since 2018, been working in the state of Oaxaca, affected by three major earthquakes, the biggest one being 8.2 of the Richter scale. Oaxaca’s complex geography and diversity allows every day to be filled with new challenges, struggles and inventive ways of conflict resolution. Working with communities, personally restoring or supervising ongoing projects, has been key to my development as a conservator, posing the great question: “For whom are we restoring?”
Born in 1998, I gained a training in History and history of art and Archaeology from University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne in BA, and Masters in Heritage Management and cultural Diplomacy from University Paris 1 and Cergy Paris University. Following several international experiences in Greece and Egypt I joined the French Ministry of culture between 2022 and 2023. There I participated in the management of several international cultural projects. I am currently the project manager of the ANCHISE European project, coordinated by the Ecole française d’Athènes, which aims at developing ressources, research and innovative solutions to fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods.
Irène Zaitsev
France
Jacopo Scappa
Italy
I was born in Rieti (Italy) in 06/06/1993. I am a motivated, curious, sociable and respectful openminded person. I’m a building engineer, I studied first in Rome and then in Florence for the master, I did two Erasmus experience in Spain for study and traineeship. Between bachelor’s and the master’s degree I lived almost one year in Portugal about personal reason. About my professional carrier, I’m also a BIM Specialist, I’m working in BIM studio, in particular in the digital transformation of the building heritage. In the past I worked in a civil engineer firm evolved in Amatrice’s (Italy) post-sisma 2016 reconstruction, Besides, when I was in the university I joined in Engineering Without Borders Florence, like volunteer engineer, because I believe that through, the implementation and dissemination of engineering practices and techniques capable of promoting the full realization of all individuals and human communities.
Khalid Loukid
Morocco
Born in 1989 in Foum Zguid, Tata, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Literature in 2010. That same year, I joined the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage in Rabat, where I graduated in 2014 with a diploma in Islamic Archaeology. I then pursued a Master's degree in Museography at the same institution. In 2016, I became an assistant conservator at the National Foundation of Museums. By 2023, I had advanced to the position of Chief Conservator and Director of the National Museums of Weavind and Carpets - Dar Si Said. Currently, I am also pursuing my PhD at Aix-Marseille University, studying the history of museum collections in Morocco, a program I have been engaged in since 2019.
He works in Culture and Emergency Entity in Culture Sector of UNESCO, where he backstops the Heritage Emergency Fund and other oversees urgent interventions related to cultural heritage in times of conflict and disaster, including Ukraine. His role involves supporting member states to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for the impacts on cultural heritage in emergencies. He holds a Master of Architectural Conservation from the University of Edinburgh and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Waseda University. Prior to joining UNESCO in 2024, he worked with a private think tank and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo. His expertise integrates architectural conservation with overall cultural heritage management in emergency contexts, along with a strong interest in digital application.
Koki Maeda
Japan
Linda Shetabi
United States of America (USA)
I am a Lecturer and Director of the MSc Conservation Programme at the University of Hong Kong. My PhD research focused on the intersection of heritage conservation and environmental sustainability policies within the context of the UN 2030 Agenda and the Scottish policy landscape. My research interests include the contribution of heritage conservation in achieving the SDGs, beyond SDG 11.4, digitising heritage and post disaster conservation. I am the co- author of the ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals: Policy Guidance for Heritage and Development Actors. Throughout the years I have served in a variety of capacities, advising on policy, advocating for heritage and community rights, and negotiating mutually agreeable solutions between developers, government institutions and local communities.
Luísa Sampaio
Portugal
Luísa Kaminski Sampaio, 30, was born and raised in the Algarve, Portugal, with a rich cultural heritage as the daughter of a Portuguese father and a German mother. She pursued her passion for the arts during high school, which led her to study Conservation and Restoration at Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (2011–2015). Her academic journey continued in Germany, where she completed her master’s degree at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, one of the world's leading science and technology museums (2015). Although specialized in plastic restoration, Luísa has worked mostly in the conservation and restoration of national monuments in Portugal, including the Jerónimos Monastery and the Castle of Paderne, among others. Currently based in Lisbon, she is part of a team focused on proposals, cost estimates and project development for the conservation and restoration of national monuments in Portugal. Her deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage drives her continuous pursuit of growth and innovation within the field. In her free time, Luísa enjoys drawing, attending cultural events, traveling, and connecting with people.
Łukasz Bugalski graduated as an architect and urban planner (2013) and held a PhD (2013-2018) in the same discipline (Gdańsk University of Technology). He has been a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow (2017-2020) trained in critical heritage studies as part of the "CHEurope" project (MSCA Innovative Training Network) conducted at Istituto per i Beni Artistici, Culturali e Naturali della Regione Emilia-Romagna in Bologna. Member (since 2023) of the Polish National Committee of ICOMOS. Since October 2020 he lectures at the Gdańsk University of Technology (Poland). Currently, he conducts research as a visiting professor in Rome at the MEMOTEF Department – La Sapienza (February 2024 – February 2025).
Łukasz Bugalski
Poland
Magdalena Skarżyńska
Poland
Magdalena Skarżyńska is an art historian and art conservator specialising in painting and ceramics conservation. She obtained an MA in Art History at University of Warsaw. In 2019, she earned her MA in Art Conservation, with a specialisation in Conservation and Restoration of Painting and Polychrome Wooden Sculpture at Department of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In 2020–2021, she lectured at the Studio of Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics of the Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art in Warsaw. Since 2019, she is the PCMA’s conservator, supervising conservation activities of all its archaeological projects. Her main field of activity is Old Dongola, Sudan. She has participated in many projects and works abroad: Romania, Peru, Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, Cyprus, Lebanon. She is the author of conservation programs and reports in Poland and abroad.
Megan Berry
Canada
Dr. Meg Berry has over 15 years of experience as an archaeologist and heritage professional. She has a specialty in rock art, cultural landscapes, rural heritage, and world heritage. After completing her Master’s and Ph.D. in Australia, she returned to Canada and is currently a Consultant Archaeologist and Heritage Practitioner. Her work includes conducting archaeological impact assessment, supporting communities in developing heritage management and conservation strategies that are guided by cultural protocols and their unique needs, and creating programs that encourage the use of heritage for health, wellbeing, and happiness, developing conservation and manage. Dr. Berry’s research encompasses rock art and symbolic behavior, the human-environment connection, rural resilience and heritage resources management for economic resurgence, utilizing heritage resources for health and happiness, archaeological and cultural landscape conservation, post crisis recovery of cultural heritage, Indigenous lead site conservation and heritage management, and conservation through the application of natural interventions and community-led initiatives.
Michael is a heritage consultant based in New Zealand. He has a background in archaeology and architecture and has experience in working in the disaster affected city of Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake. He is an ICOMOS NZ member and belongs to THEOPHILOS international scientific committee. Michael works in private practice and has incorporated 3D scanning and BIM in project workflow and is optimistic about 3d capture technology for disaster relief assessment.
Michael Healey
New Zealand
Norah Alahmad
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Norah Alahmad, 26, holds a MA degree in Business Administration following an intensive research projects on Preserving Cultural Heritage from a business point of view. I was recruited by the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia in 2023. A member of the Urban Heritage Committee at the Heritage commission (2024) . Worked as an Associate Project Manager “House Of Artisans” aimed to sustain endangered traditional handcrafts.
Parastoo Eshrati
Iran
Dr. Parastoo Eshrati, an Iranian cultural landscape conservationist, is currently a visiting professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada. Additionally, she serves as an associate professor at University of Tehran. She holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from University of Tehran. Her dissertation focused on cultural landscape conservation and Historic Urban Landscape management. She is a founding board member and member of the board of directors of the Iranian Scientific Association for Landscape and leads its cultural landscape group. She has achieved three diplomas from ICCROM: Management and Monitoring of World Heritage Sites (2017, China), Communication and Teaching Skills in Conservation and Science (2019, Japan), and Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context - Training of Resource People (2023, Online). Throughout her career, Parastoo has emphasized the importance of landscape conservation in Iranian academia. Her efforts have bridged the gap between landscape and conservation disciplines nationally.
Rahaf obtained a degree in Architecture, from Damascus University in 2012. Subsequently, she joined the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) in Syria, where she specialized in 3D documentation of endangered historical urban centres, archaeological sites, and artifacts. In 2016, she obtained a master's degree in “Architectural Design” and later pursued a master's degree in “Digital Cultural Heritage” in 2021. She joined the Cyprus Institute as a research technical specialist in 2022. During her career, Rahaf was a member of Project ANQA, a collaborative effort between ICOMOS, CyArk, and the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS), aimed to digitally document monuments in Damascus. For her PhD. Dissertation, she focused on the digital reconstruction of the Old City's historic urban fabric and initiated a laser scanning survey in the Old City. She successfully defended and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Hungary, in 2023.
Rahaf Orabi
Syria
Rami El Chahal
Lebanon
Senior Manager at PwC's KSA office and currently filling the position of Programme Manager with the Royal Commission of AlUla, bringing over 15 years of experience in managing complex projects with CAPEX exceeding USD 100 million. My expertise covers a wide range of sectors, including private sector developments, design consultancy (architecture, interior design, and urban planning), construction, and project management. This multidisciplinary background enables me to help clients avoiding challenges in the design and construction phases, ensuring the successful projects delivery. Experienced in direct engagement with senior client stakeholders, consistently positioning myself as a trusted reliable consultant known for building and maintaining strong, lasting relationships. With a deep understanding of the critical factors required for project success, I leverage my experience to ensure that we create value for our clients and allow me to provide strategic insights and tailored solutions that effectively meet the client objectives.
Tarek Hachem
Lebanon
Tarek is a PMP-certified Senior Project Manager with a strong foundation in managing complex construction projects within the heritage conservation, energy, and environmental sectors, backed by over 12 years of professional experience. He recently completed an MBA from Questrom School of Business, Boston University, and is actively pursuing further specialization in Business Management. Prior to his current role, Tarek has demonstrated expertise in construction management, project planning, risk evaluation, and stakeholder communication, with a proven track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget. His ability to navigate ambiguity and tackle unforeseen challenges mid-process has been key to his continued success across diverse projects.
Waraporn Suwatchotikul is an architect and Southeast Asian architecture historian. She holds a B.A. in architecture and an M.A. in History of Southeast Asia architecture from Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. She joined WMF in 2017 as an architect and project manager at the Wat Chaiwatthanaram Conservation Project, and in 2023 also became field project manager at the Burmese Teak Farmhouse Documentation Project. She is a “Heritage Partner” member of The Siamese Heritage Trust (SHT), The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage, the organization active in conserving heritage in Thailand and the region.
Waraporn Suwatchotikul
Thailand
William Chamberlain
United Kingdom
Since leaving university in 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to work at the cross-section between cultural heritage, development and post-conflict recovery. Working with HALO, I began looking at the links between mine action and the preservation of cultural and archaeological sites, principally focused on mapping and provision of demining support for more specialised organisations. After leaving HALO, I worked briefly with Artijaan, supporting artisans producing traditional crafts and in mobilizing intangible cultural heritage to stimulate economic and social recovery. These two strands have come together in my current role with Turquoise Mountain, working across both artisanal and built heritage projects. Beyond work, continuing from my studies, I am interested broadly in Central Asia and Afghanistan and see cultural heritage as an avenue through which I can put my own historical interests to use.