From artificial intelligence and connected data to sustainable construction and robotics, these emerging leaders are finding practical ways to improve how the world builds.
Across AEC, new ways of working are changing how projects are designed, built, and delivered. But progress depends on leaders who turn ideas and tools into meaningful results. Now in its eighth year, Autodesk’s peer-nominated 40 Under 40: Champions of Construction honors rising leaders who are driving innovation, inspiring their teams, and making a lasting impact. We’re highlighting 10 honorees from the global 2026 class to reflect the geographic breadth and range of work represented across this year’s winners. Meet all 40 winners and read more about the list here.
Sofia Kasapantoniou, Senior Standards and R&D Manager at Amazon.
At Amazon, Sofia Kasapantoniou leads the development of enterprise-wide information-management standards for projects including fulfillment centers, retail stores, and AWS infrastructure. She also leads the development of a platform connecting Autodesk systems with Amazon’s internal tools and is building AI-powered capabilities that help teams search, analyze, and extract insights from millions of project data points.
Páraic Walsh, Digital and Design Technology Manager at Gray Puksand.
Páraic Walsh led Gray Puksand’s practice-wide migration to Autodesk Forma, which now supports hundreds of live projects across multiple studios. He has also embedded Autodesk Forma and advanced Revit–Rhino workflows into everyday practice. Páraic is leading the rollout of internal AI tools and exploring AI agents to automate business processes, with a strong focus on governance and real-world value.
Sheik Uduman, Head of BIM and Digital Technology at RSP Architects Planners & Engineers.
One of Sheik Uduman’s most ambitious initiatives is an AI-powered platform that combines 3D models, historical project information, and sustainability data to support better-informed design decisions. Built using Autodesk Platform Services and RSP’s standardized Autodesk Forma environment, the platform transforms years of project knowledge into actionable insights. Sheik has also led RSP’s shift to cloud-first collaboration and expanded BIM adoption across the firm.
Bassant Nabil Omar, Information Systems and Digital Construction Manager at Square Engineering Firm.
Bassant Nabil Omar is connecting engineering, commercial, project-controls, procurement, and construction teams through unified digital workflows. At Square Engineering Firm, she co-led the implementation of Autodesk Forma across multiple live projects and played an instrumental role in integrating Autodesk Forma Cost Management with SAP, replacing spreadsheet-based cost control with connected cost and financial data.
Saori Sakurai, Project Leader at Shimizu Corporation.
Saori Sakurai has helped make Autodesk Forma an integral part of how Shimizu Corporation approaches design and project delivery. She led the standardization of Forma workflows across the organization, helping teams make faster, more informed decisions from a project’s earliest stages. Recognized as one of Autodesk University’s top-rated speakers in 2025, Saori also regularly shares practical guidance with peers across Japan’s construction industry.
Josue Balderrama Macias, Core Innovation Lead at Grupo Hermosillo.
Josue Balderrama Macias combined Revit-based automation with standardized processes to reduce tilt-up and precast documentation work from as long as three weeks to less than an hour. Broader internal testing reduced representative workflows from roughly 240 hours of manual effort to 13 hours. He develops solutions alongside the designers, modelers, BIM managers, and site teams who use them.
Ilhem Fahem, Bid Manager at SYSTRA.
On the United Kingdom’s High Speed rail program, Ilhem Fahem developed a methodology combining finite-element analysis with Excel-based post-processing. The approach reduced the number of model runs required and enabled a team of four engineers to produce results more efficiently and consistently. Ilhem also standardized workflows and streamlined drawing production across teams in France, India, and the United Kingdom.
Mohamad M. Kassir, Regional Digital Manager for the Middle East and Southeast Asia at Egis.
On one of the world’s largest coral-restoration initiatives, Mohamad M. Kassir led the development of a connected digital-twin pilot integrating BIM models, Internet of Things sensors, and asset documentation for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. He also leads digital strategy supporting more than 6,000 Egis employees and has supported ISO 19650 certification efforts involving more than 1,500 professionals.
Meridith Meyer, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Puppet Robotics.
At Heirloom Carbon, Meridith Meyer built and led the engineering team responsible for designing infrastructure to support gigaton-scale carbon removal. Now at Puppet Robotics, she is helping develop robotic systems for hazardous work including abatement and selective demolition. Guided by skilled workers’ expertise, the technology enables them to supervise fleets of robots while reducing exposure to hazardous environments and increasing productivity.
Nicholas Miscovich, Director of Construction at Thrive Collaborative.
Nicholas Miscovich led the delivery of Veridian at County Farm, a net-zero-energy, mixed-use community. He embedded energy efficiency throughout construction using milestone-based inspections, preinstallation coordination, and performance testing, including blower-door and duct-leakage tests. The approach reduced rework, improved trade coordination, and helped establish a repeatable framework for delivering high-performance buildings.
These honorees show that construction’s future is not being defined by technology alone – it’s being shaped by people finding better ways to collaborate, solve problems, and move projects forward. Congratulations to all 40 Champions of Construction. We can’t wait to see what you build next!