Michael is a Professor of Construction Business Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Constance, Germany. His research and teaching interests focus on the future of the engineering profession in the face of complex global challenges and opportunities such as climate change and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. His main areas are the digital transformation of the construction industry, organizational culture and change management, contract and technology-supported collaborative industry practices as well as how to address the talent and skills gap of the industry.

Before that, Michael was the Head of infrastructure and urban development at the World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland where he drove the global industry agenda in the engineering, construction, real estate and urban services sectors by leading global initiatives, research, strategy and business development as well as community engagement. In this position, he was responsible for managing strategic relationships with more than 50 global CEOs and their interaction with leaders from government and civil society.

Prior to joining the WEF, he worked with Deloitte’s Infrastructure and Capital Projects Advisory practices in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has 19 years of international, academic and professional experience in the construction, mining and real-estate industries including project management positions and consulting assignments on major capital and P3 projects, as well as extensive experience in closely collaborating with government, business and civil society. Michael has a PhD in civil engineering and an MBA with finance and accounting specialization.