Dr. Abusamra is an accomplished senior leader with over 15 years of experience driving groundbreaking initiatives and successfully executing major infrastructure projects. Currently serving as the Director of Commercial and Contracts at the VIA-HFR (High Frequency Rail) – Canada’s largest infrastructure project – he oversees contract management and commercial structuring. He is dedicated to preserving and building resilient and sustainable infrastructure that will support future generations.

Before joining VIA-HFR, Dr. Abusamra held pivotal roles as a Senior Project Manager and Contract Manager at VIA Rail Canada, where he managed capital infrastructure and rolling stock projects exceeding $1 billion. His global experience includes contributing to significant transportation projects such as the Riyadh Metro Project in Saudi Arabia (a design-build rapid transit system spanning 6 lines, 176 kilometers, and 85 stations, with a budget of $22.5 billion), the REM project in Montreal, the Corridor Fleet Replacement Program with VIA Rail Canada.

Beyond his industry expertise, Dr. Abusamra earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Asset Management from Concordia University. He has authored numerous books, journal articles, and conference papers related to municipal infrastructure asset management. His thought leadership extends to speaking engagements at conferences, including TED Talks, appearances on CBC, and participation in industry forums like the IAM. Additionally, he served as a lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University, an editorial member, and a reviewer for esteemed journals such as ASCE, CSCE, etc. and is an active member in Building Transformations’ Asset Management and Lifecycle Think Tank.

Dr. Abusamra’s diverse interests span asset management, AI, digital technology, construction management, BIM, reality capturing technologies, digital twins, optimization, decision-making, project management, infrastructure, civil engineering, transportation, sustainability, and climate change.