24–26 JUNE 2025 / MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE, CAIRO
CAIRO, EGYPT
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SPEAKER
BIOGRAPHIES
ASSEM ABD ELFATAH
Rolling Mill Plant Director
Suez Steel
Assem Abd Elfatah is the rolling mill plant manager at Suez Steel Co. and has more than 25 years of experience in the steel industry (in modern rolling mills) inside and outside Egypt. Abd Elfatah has a B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Cairo University.
MANAL AL BADAWI
ESG and Sustainability Manager
EMSTEEL Group
Manal Al Badawi is the ESG and sustainability manager at EMSTEEL with more than 15 years of experience. Al Badawi received a dual master’s degree in petroleum and health, safety and environmental engineering, is CFA ESG certified, and is a lead quality, health, safety and environment auditor.
SAID ALAMEDDINE
KARIM ALSHURAFA
President
Vollmer America Inc.
Karim Alshurafa is the president of Vollmer America Inc. In his current role, he is responsible for the North American operations for Vollmer gauges and control solutions.
Prior to his current position, he was general manager of sales and marketing at SMS group Inc. He joined SMS group in 2013, where he held previous positions as key account manager and senior proposal engineer in the Steelmaking Metallurgy department. In 2006, he served as a sales engineer at Heraeus Electro-Nite Co. LLC in steelmaking sensors.
His steel career all started in 2004 as an EAF process engineer intern at Gerdau Ameristeel Whitby in Canada, where he become hooked on the industry after seeing the excitement of a scrap bucket charge in an electric arc furnace. Alshurafa has held multiple positions within AIST. Currently, he serves as chair of the Pittsburgh Member Chapter and as the vice chair and co-founding member of the MENA Chapter.
He is also a past chair of the Oxygen Steelmaking Technology Committee. Alshurafa has a B.Eng degree in material science and engineering (2006) and an M.Eng degree in engineering entrepreneurship and innovation (2012) from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., Canada. Alshurafa is also a veteran of the Canadian Military.
RON ASHBURN
Executive Director
AIST
Ronald Ashburn is the executive director of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), having served in this capacity since the organization’s founding in 2004. Ashburn is responsible for oversight of business operations and strategic planning initiatives for AIST and the AIST Foundation. He formerly was managing director for the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers (AISE) from 2002 until its merger with the Iron & Steel Society to form AIST. Prior to AISE, he was employed with the German engineering firm SMS, a global builder of steel plants, where he last served as vice president — operations for their Steelmaking and Casting Division in North America. He held previous positions with SMS and the consolidated Mannesmann Demag including vice president — casting and hot rolling as well as director of technology for steelmaking and casting. Ashburn received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and participated in metallurgical process training at University of British Columbia and global business management training at the University of Virginia. He serves on the board of trustees for the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and the United Engineering Foundation (UEF).
OSAMA AZAB
Steelmaking Plant Manager
Egyptian Steel
Osama Azab earned a B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Suez Canal University, Egypt in 1994. He started his career as a foundry engineer at Amreya Metal Co. (AMC) from 1995 to 1997 and has been in the steel industry ever since. Azab was with Al Ezz Steel Rebars Co. (ESR) from 1997 until 2002 as quality control engineer, then EF/LF shift engineer. He joined Alexandria National Iron & Steel Co. EZ-DK in 2002 and served as SM operation engineer until 2007. At Qatar Steel Co. Doha, his responsibilities were as EF engineer, SMP process engineer, SMP process section head, EF/CC5 plant section head and EFs (3,4 and 5) section head from from 2007 until 2020. He then moved on to Egyptian Steel Group, Sokhna Plant Suez as SMP manager from 2020 until 2022, then was promoted to production senior manager and lastly plant general manager for Bani Suef plant in July 2022.
KARIM BADR
Technical Director – Ironmaking
RHI Magnesita
Karim Badr received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Alexandria University in Egypt in 1996, and an M.S. degree in engineering management, materials science from Sheffield Hallam University, U.K., in 2000. In 2007, he earned his Ph.D. in reduction metallurgy (reduction of iron ore fines by hydrogen plasma) from University of Leoben in Austria. Badr began his professional career as a DRI operation engineer for ANSDK, now called EZDK, in Egypt. In 2004, he took a post at the University of Leoben as a research assistant for four years and joined the ULCOS. After leaving academia in 2008, he was named global marketing and sales manager for RHI AG in Austria and then Kuettner GmbH in Germany. His current function is the technical director – ironmaking at RHI Magnesita. Badr is currently the chair of the youngest Member Chapter of AIST, serving the MENA region. He has published papers on iron ore reduction, refractory solutions and electric arc furnace operations.
SOROUSH BASIRAT
Energy Finance Analyst
Institute for Energy and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Australia
Soroush Basirat is an energy finance analyst with Institute for Energy and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Australia, examining the global steel sector with particular focus on green technology transition and the opportunities and barriers for different nations and companies. He analyzes the feasibility of green steel solutions and their requirements for the whole value chain. Before joining IEEFA in 2020, Basirat was a corporate development and investment analyst in the steel industry. He worked on projects related to corporate strategy, financial modelling and valuation in large-scale industries and small and medium enterprises for more than 15 years. Basirat holds a master of business degree with strategic management as a field of interest and has a bachelor of industrial engineering degree with special interest in industrial manufacturing.
OUSSAMA BELLAH
Process Head of Department in the Direct Reduction Plant
Algerian Qatari Steel
Oussama Bellah brings over eight years of experience in integrated steelmaking, with a strong specialization in the operation of direct reduction plants utilizing MIDREX® technology. He began his career in AQS as a control quality engineer during the construction phase of a direct reduction plant and later transitioned to a process engineer role, overseeing the commissioning through to stable operation of the plant. Since 2023, Bellah has served as the head of process department at the direct reduction plant. In this role, he is responsible for monitoring process performance, optimizing production efficiency, and ensuring the operational reliability of one of the world’s largest DRI plant. His deep expertise in MIDREX Mega–module technology has been instrumental in achieving high performance standards in plant operations. He also has extensive experience in the start-up and shutdown of MIDREX plants, as well as in the procurement and installation of critical spare parts, including reformer tubes, reformer catalysts, shaft furnace refractory linings, and heat recovery systems.
BISWADEEP BHATTACHARJEE
Senior Vice President and Head of Green Steel
Primetals Technologies
Biswadeep Bhattacharjee is senior vice president and head of Green Steel India of Primetals Technologies, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group Company. In this role, he is responsible for driving the company’s green steel strategy in India, including the carbon reduction, carbon avoidance, carbon utilization or storage of CO2, energy transition, application of low-carbon hydrogen, energy efficiency and saving, emission reduction, byproduct utilization, and recycling. He has overall industry experience of 27+ years with 13 years exclusively in metallurgical industry mainly in the areas of decarbonization, energy efficiency and environmental solutions. Formerly he was head of strategy for Siemens Industry - Metals Technologies. He is a distinguished alumnus of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He completed his M.B.A. at Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) in finance and marketing. He is an IRCA Certified Energy Management Lead Auditor. He holds the PRINCE 2 Practitioner in Project Management. He is also member of Ministry of Steel, Government of India’s Green Steel Taskforces on Carbon Capture and Utilization, Green Hydrogen and Energy Efficiency.
MAURO BIANCHI FERRI
Managing Director
Acciarium Alliance
After completing his studies in Milan, Italy, achieving his doctorate degree from Politecnico di Milano and a post-university degree from SDA Bocconi, Bianchi Ferri has spent more than 25 years in the steelmaking sector. In his career he has had several responsibilities appointed by companies like GrafTech (formerly UCAR Carbon), ABB and, more recently, driving the steelmaking division of Tenova as chief of Tenova companies located in Italy, Canada, South Africa, Mexico and Germany. In 2016, Bianchi Ferri had a new idea to do business: from his experience developed after years of market follow-up and customer relations, he founded Acciarium, a steelmaking alliance of automation and process companies with the aim to create value “growing together.” He has also taken part in steel and energy sectors affiliations besides AIST, such as the Italian Association of Metallurgy (AIM) and Italian Electric Manufacturing Association (ANIE), organizing and chairing international events and congress and issuing publication in steel industry magazines such as Steel Times International, MBM of Metal Bulletin, MPT International and Stahl und Eisen of VDEh, and La Metallurgia Italiana of AIM.
JAVIER CASTIÑEIRA
Global Head of HSE
Resonac
Javier Castiñeira is an electrical engineer with a bachelor's degree in marketing, combining technical expertise with strategic business insight. With over two decades of managerial experience in health and safety, operations, and human resources consultancy, he has built a strong background in commercial strategy, business development, and continuous improvement, applying methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma to drive operational excellence. Currently, he leads the Excellence Program, Sustainability and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) across all global workplaces of the Graphite Business Unit at RESONAC. I oversee sites in Spain, the U.S., China, Malaysia, Germany. Austria and Japan, ensuring high standards of safety, sustainability, supply chain collaboration, and performance optimization worldwide.
RAFIC DAOU
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Suez Steel Co. SAE
Rafic Daou’s path led him to Ukraine in 1992, marking the beginning of a remarkable series of successes. There, he recognized an opportunity in the steel trading business, setting in motion a chain of ventures that would drive significant business growth and expansion. His influence extended into diverse sectors, including steel, shipping, port services and agribusiness.
As the chairman of LITAT, Daou set his sights on a visionary mission: to transform the group into a major investment and project development conglomerate, with a particular emphasis on Egypt, the Middle East, Africa, and the GCC region. Currently, the LITAT Group operates in six countries, boasting over 25 years of experience in developing successful businesses from scratch and optimizing existing facilities to their full potential. The Group's achievements include the acquisition of a shipping company and a remarkable enhancement of a Ukrainian port and grain handling and boosting the handling capacity from 0.4 million tons per annum to an impressive 8 million tons per annum. Furthermore, in a remarkably short span, the Group transformed Suez Steel Co. from a 0.5-million-ton-per-annum steel meltshop in Egypt into a massive 3-million-tons-per-annum integrated steel complex, featuring the world's largest direct reduction plant, two steel meltshops and four rolling mills.
By 2016, LITAT Group's steel business activity had reached a trade volume of 3 million tons per annum. In June 2017, another significant turnkey project in Egypt was signed for the full-fledged development of a new rolling mill with a capacity of 1.4 million metric tons tons per annum. Today, this mill is operating at full capacity.
In early May 2025, a 5-million-tons-per-year pellet plant and a 1 million-tons-per-year heavy section and rail mill were officially inaugurated and launched.
Daou, chairman of LITAT Group and vice chairman and managing director of Solb Misr and Suez Steel Co., possesses a unique ability to anticipate and envision the future of his group and its people, enabling him to make the right decisions. He is a leader who not only builds, upgrades and transforms businesses but also strategically positions them for success.
MOATAZ EL KELANY
Environmental Engineer
EZDK Steel
Moataz El Kelany is an environmental engineer at Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Co. (EZDK) with more than 10 years of experience. With a master's degree in inorganic chemistry from Alexandria University, earned in 2021, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental science at the same institution. El Kelany is passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and an accomplished professional in the field of environmental science. His journey in the environmental sector has been marked by his role as an environmental senior at EZDK, where he leads initiatives to assess and mitigate the environmental impacts of our operations. As a project coordinator for the continuous emission monitoring system, he monitors air quality trends, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations to prevent penalties and safeguard the planet. His expertise extends to developing and implementing robust environmental policies, preparing reports on environmental performance metrics, and managing waste with a focus on recycling and material efficiency.
ALI EL-KESHAWY
Technical Sales Manager
UNICAT Catalyst Technologies
With over 15 years of experience in the iron and steel industry, Ali El-Keshawy has developed deep expertise in managing complex production processes and driving technical sales initiatives. Currently, El-Keshawy serves as the technical sales manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at UNICAT Catalyst Technologies, with a focus on delivering innovative catalyst solutions tailored to the diverse needs of clients. Prior to this role, El-Keshawy led the production team at Ezz Steel’s mega module DRI plant in Ain Sokhna, Suez, Egypt overseeing operations and ensuring optimal performance. El-Keshawy holds an M.B.A. from ESLSCA Business School and a B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Suez University. This combination of academic background and hands-on industry experience enables El-Keshawy to consistently deliver impactful results and contribute to the advancement of catalyst technologies in the region.
IMAN EL-MAHALLAWI, PhD, CEng, CSci, MIMMM
Professor, Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
Cairo University
Prof. Dr. Iman El-Mahallawi earned her B.Sc. degree in engineering from Cairo University in 1981; her M.Sc. degree from Cairo University in 1983 and her Ph.D. from The University of Leeds in 1987. Currently, she is a professor of materials and metallurgical engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University and an adjunct professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department in the British University in Egypt (BUE). She is a founding director of the Centre for Renewable Energy (CRE) at the British University in Egypt. She holds CEng and CSci titles, as well as being a Fellow Member of the IOM3 Royal Institute. She has attended and presented research work at more than 60 international and national conferences, with 27 of them in the largest international conferences in the area, including the annual conferences of TMS.
AMR ELTAWIL
Dean, School of Innovative Design Engineering and Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Egypt Japan University of Science and Technology
Amr Eltawil is the dean of the School of Innovative Design Engineering of the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Alexandria, Egypt. He is a professor of industrial engineering. He was the chairperson of the department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from 2011 to 2018. Prof. Eltawil obtained his Ph.D. from Alexandria University in 2003 through a channel program with University of Miami, Florida, USA. His research interests are in the fields of applied operations research and discrete event simulation. Areas of interest include among others supply chain design and management, production planning and scheduling, service systems planning and management, especially container terminal operations and management decisions, energy systems optimization, healthcare applications and call centers, as well as transportation and logistics. Prof. Eltawil authored more than 100 papers published in international impacted journals and conferences as well as book chapters. Eltawil has conducted dozens of training programs for industry on different topics such as on supply chain management, data analytics and business intelligence, management skills, project management, as well as safety management. Also, he is an enterprise resource planning systems consultant and implementation expert.
DOGAN ERTAS
General Manager
GEMKOM MAKINA
Dogan Ertas studied metallurgy at Middle East Technical University. He worked at Kroman Çelik from 2000 to 2008, first as investment engineer/chief and then refractory chief, CCM chief and assistant meltshop manager for the 1-million-tons-per-year meltshop. He then joined CVS Makina as project coordinator in 2009. In 2014 he became sales and marketing coordinator. In 2017 he became an executive board member for MOST Makina ve Enerji AŞ, leading the greenfield project for stainless steel and tool steel production in Türkiye. He joined Gemkom in February 2022 as general manager.
MOHAMED FOUAD EMAM
Corporate Chief Technical Officer
Ezz Steel
Engineer Mohamed Fouad Emam has been corporate chief technical officer for Ezz Steel since 2018. He held several leadership positions at Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Company- Alexandria (EZDK) from 1983 until 2018. He served as EZDK general manager — technical affairs for 8 years, and as plant manager — operation for 7 years. He holds a B.S. degree in nuclear engineering (1968) and an M.S. degree in rolling and shaping of metals (1971). He led several projects at EZDK such as rolling mills plants, steelmaking plants, direct reduction plants and flat steel plants. He has more than 50 years of experience in engineering and management of semi-integrated and integrated steel plants.
HADIA HAMDY
Vice President of Academic Services
Universities of Canada in Egypt
Dr. Hadia H. Abdel Aziz is the vice president of academic services at Universities of Canada in Egypt (UCE) leading all UCE entrepreneurial initiatives (EC and DMZ) and industry collaboration. She is also an associate professor of Entreprneurship and Innovation Management at UPEI Cairo campus. She has a blend of diversified experience in the area of entrepreneurship and small business management through working as the head of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Department and the startup development program “Imagine” at the German University in Cairo, as an advisor to the minister of Investment on Entrepreneurship and SME Development, as the head of the technical office of the board of investment trustees, as a corporate and SME banker at several multinational banks, as a board member in venture capital and investment firms, and as an independent SME consultant and startup mentor. Hadia obtained both her B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from the American University in Cairo and got her Ph.D. in the area of innovation Management from University of Stuttgart – Germany.
ASHRAF HANNA
Vice President of Steelmaking Solutions and Services
MeltTech Solutions Inc.
Ashraf Hanna is a licensed metallurgical Professional Engineer from Ontario, Canada, with an M.S. degree in metallurgical and production engineering. He worked at Al EZZ Steel Rebars Co. (ESR), Sadat City, Egypt, from 1997 until 2003 as a senior meltshop process engineer. In 2003, he moved to Saudi Arabia to assume responsibility as a steel plant manager for Al Rajhi Steel. He was involved in the early design phase of the steel plant and was able to achieve a performance record after only 7 months from start-up. In 2009, Hanna moved to Canada to work with RHI Magnesita with responsibility for technical market solutions for the Americas. In March 2025, Hanna joined MeltTech Solutions Inc. as vice president of steelmaking solutions and services.
MOHAMED HESHAM SAFA
Product Development and Customer Service (Flat Steel) Manager
EZDK
Mohamed H. Safa is a metallurgist with over 15 years of experience in the steel industry. He currently serves as the product development and customer service manager at EZDK, where he leads initiatives focused on aligning steel products with evolving market demands, achieving cost efficiencies, and fostering strong relationships with new customers and original equipment manufacturers. Safa holds a M.S. degree in metallurgical engineering and has played a key role in the successful development and launch of several high-performance flat steel products. His work emphasizes both technical innovation and practical application, particularly in optimizing production processes for economic and environmental sustainability.
SARA HORNBY
President
Global Strategic Solutions, Inc.
Sara Hornby, variously described as a trailblazer and an inspiration for ambitious women, has continually proven nothing is out of reach for women in engineering. The first woman to graduate from Sheffield Hallam University with a B.Sc. Hons. In metallurgy and a Ph.D. in industrial metallurgy, she spent her early career in the U.K. working for Firth Brown Tools Engineering and British Steel Corp. Her initial Canadian and U.S. Air Liquide roles, developing new technologies and bringing best available technologies to the metals industry (whilst managing multi-disciplinary, multi-location team members), coupled with other electric arc furnace steelmaking optimization positions (Tenova Goodfellow, Midrex, Linde, Intertech, TMS International), put her in good stead to set up her own company, Global Strategic Solutions Inc., which supplies expert consultancy and expert witness to the metals and related industries. Hornby holds five patents and has authored over 136 International papers, seminars and courses. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3) and was their 2022 Hadfield Medal and Prize winner. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Benjamin Fairless Award and the John Bell Award. In November 2023, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering by Sheffield Hallam University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the international steel industry.
GAMIL ISKANDER
Projects Director and Board Member
Ezz Steel
Gamil Iskander is the projects director and a board member of Ezz Steel. He joined Ezz Steel in 1997 and has been leading the company’s projects and capacity enhancement in its facilities in Alexandria, Ain Sukhna, Sadat City, and 10th of Ramadan City. He is also the chairman and chief executive officer of Hadid for Industry, Trading and Contracting Co. (Contrasteel), a subsidiary of Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Co. (EZDK), where he also serves as a board member. Prior to joining Ezz Steel, he was an Associate in Dar Al Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners) leading international multidisciplinary projects for 11 years. Before then, he served as the technical office manager in Ferrometalco, the German-Egyptian steel manufacturing company in Egypt. He is a registered Consultant Engineer in steel construction and holds an M.S. degree in structural engineering from Ain Shams University.
MOSTAFA KHAMIS
Vice President – Key Account Management
Danieli Group
Mostafa Khamis is a mechanical engineer, having graduated from Alexandria University in Egypt. He has 17 years' experience in the steel industry, with 12 years at Danieli Group. He joined Danieli as a senior planning engineer, gaining 9 years of expertise in site construction, commissioning and plant start-up. Subsequently, he transitioned to the commercial department, assuming the role of key account manager to effectively engage with the Egyptian market. He has held this position for the past 7 years. Recently, Khamis was promoted to vice president – key account management, with the responsibility of overseeing the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council and Egypt regions. In this capacity, he actively participates in commercial market discussions, conducts market research and prioritizes delivering exceptional customer service.
ALEXANDER LAUGIER-WERTH
Vice President of HSE and Quality
Vesuvius
After a decade in consulting, mostly at PwC, and another in the automotive industry at Faurecia, in various operational and program management roles, Alexander Laugier-Werth joined Vesuvius in 2008 as lean director. He thereafter held positions as vice president of operations for the Foundry Business Unit and president of the Digital Services Business Unit. He has since held on the position of vice president of HSE and Quality for the group in 2018. In addition to this role, he designed, launched and has been leading the implementation of Vesuvius’ sustainability strategy. Throughout his career, Laugier-Werth has worked in the United States, Mexico, Germany, France and Belgium. With an experience deeply rooted in operations, he has led many company transformation projects, working across cultures and functions, while always focusing on value creation and successful execution.
DINA MAHMOUD
Metallurgical Research Engineer
Abu Zaabal Company for Specialized Industries
Dina Mahmoud holds an M.Sc. in metallurgical engineering from Cairo University (2024) and a B.Sc. in the same field from the Faculty of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Suez University (2017). Mahmoud works as metallurgical research and development engineer at Abu Zaabal Company for Specialized Industries and has worked on numerous failure analysis cases in different industrial fields. Mahmoud is interested in local manufacturing and bridging academic research by industrial applications, as well as integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into industrial processes.
MOHAMED MAHMOUD KARROUM
Senior Quality Engineer
Suez Steel
Mohamed Mahmoud Karroum is a metallurgical engineer with a strong background in quality control and steel manufacturing. He has been serving as senior quality control engineer at Suez Steel Co., rails and heavy section plant since 2024. Prior to that, he worked as quality control section head at Algioshy Steel Co. from 2023 to 2024, and a quality control engineer at Egyptian Steel Co. from 2019 to 2022. He earned his B.S. degree in metallurgical and materials science engineering from the Faculty of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, Suez University in 2017, and completed an M.S. degree in metallurgical engineering at the same institution in 2025. His key interests include heat treatment, process simulation and hot rolling.
ROBERT MONTGOMERY
Senior Plant Sales Manager – Middle East
Midrex Technologies Inc.
Robert Montgomery is the senior plant sales manager for the Middle East at Midrex Technologies Inc. He began his career at Midrex in 2013 and has been instrumental in the promotion, negotiation and sale of MIDREX® Shaft Furnace Direct Reduction Plants in the Middle East and North African regions. His skills in sales and marketing, client experience, and project management make him a valuable asset to the Midrex Commercial Team.
FABIO MUSCOLINO
WAEL OMAR
Senior Executive Vice President – Digital Services
Siemens
Wael Omar joined Siemens Egypt in 2007, bringing with him a wealth of experience in strategic initiatives, business partnerships, and business expansion and development. In 2018, he transitioned to the industrial sector, assuming his current role as the senior executive vice president for digital industries. In this role, he is responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to drive the growth and success of the digital industries division. He oversees daily operations, ensuring that all departments align with the company's objectives and policies. Under his leadership, Siemens Digital Industries in Egypt has seen significant growth. He has been pivotal in penetrating new market segments and expanding the company's footprint across the country. Omar earned his bachelor's degree from Cairo University in 1994. He furthered his education with a Modern Accounting Diploma from The American University in Cairo in December 1997 and became a Certified Management Accountant through the Institute of Management Accountants, USA, in February 2004.
ENEA PAQUALI
MOSTAFA RASHAD
Director of Engineering Division
El Marakby Steel Co.
Mostafa Rashad is a mechanical design and R&D expert with over 20 years of experience in steel manufacturing, process optimization and industrial leadership. as director of the engineering division at El Marakby Steel Co., he oversees engineering innovation and continuous improvement across steelmaking and rolling operations. During his tenure as rolling mill plant manager, he led a major optimization initiative that resulted in a 35% increase in production capacity through advanced roll pass design. Rashad holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical design engineering from Cairo University and is currently completing a Ph.D. focused on roll pass design optimization. A patent holder and a lecturer at Cairo University, he combines academic insight with industrial expertise. He was awarded second place for Best Arab Scientific Research in the Iron & Steel Industry at the 17th Arab Steel Summit (2024).
KHADIJA SAAD
Metallurgical and Materials Engineer
German University in Cairo
Khadija Saad is a metallurgical and materials engineer currently pursuing postgraduate research and a master’s degree at the German University in Cairo. With hands-on experience in mechanical and chemical testing, materials characterization, and steel production processes, she serves as a lab engineer at the Faculty of Engineering and Material Science, where she supports research and academic instruction in materials laboratories. Her academic and professional journey includes internships at Ezz Steel, ElMarakby Steel and the National Research Center. She is an active member of AIST and has contributed to organizing the MENA Steel Forum since 2023.
TAHER SALAH EL-DIN
Corporate Technical Affairs – Technical Development Director
Ezz Steel
Taher Salah El-Din received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1993 from the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University and Dipl.-Ing. degree in fluid power in 2001 from TU Dresden, Germany. I worked as hydraulics maintenance engineer since 1994 and was the main founder of the Electro-Hydraulic Repair Center (EHRC) during the period from 2004 to 2009, at EZDK Steel Co., Alexandria. He got his Ph.D. degree in fluid power in 2010 from the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University - partnership with TU Dresden in Germany. He has served as the technical development director at corporate technical affairs for EZZ Steel since 2023 and an acting as a part-time lecturer at the German University in Cairo since 2010. His research interests are modeling and simulation of hydraulic systems, and he has represented his company with research papers in several conferences in Europe.
MIRIAM SCHNALZGER
OEM Steel Linings Expert – Global
RHI Magnesita
Miriam Schnalzger has a master’s degree in ferrous metallurgy and industrial economy from Montanuniversität Leoben and an Executive MBA in general management and leadership from California Lutheran University. Schnalzger has served as technical marketing manager for Middle East, Africa and CS, as well as for Europe, CIS and Turkey; and global OEM and key account management for non-ferrous metals and green steel.
BARRY SCHNEIDER
President and Chief Operating Officer
Steel Dynamics Inc.
Barry Schneider joined Steel Dynamics Inc. in 1995. He began his career with Steel Dynamics as the mechanical engineer for melting and casting during the initial construction and start-up of the Butler Flat Roll Division. Schneider subsequently worked as the plant mechanical engineer for the expansion of the Butler Flat Roll Division in 1998. He then spent time as a casting supervisor before becoming hot strip mill manager in 2000. In 2003, he shifted into processing and finishing and became the cold rolling and coating manager at the Butler Flat Roll Division. In 2007, Schneider was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Engineered Bar Products Division in Pittsboro, Ind., USA. In 2014, he accepted a corporate position as vice president – Bar Products, having responsibilities for the Pittsboro facility as well as the Roanoke, Va., facility. In 2016, he became senior vice president – Flat Roll Steel Group. In this capacity, he had responsibility for all the flat-rolled divisions of Steel Dynamics: the Butler Division; the Columbus Division; The Techs facilities; the Heartland Division; and the Southwest-Sinton Division. Beginning in March 2023, Schneider was promoted to the role of president and chief operating officer of Steel Dynamics Inc. Prior to joining Steel Dynamics, Schneider held positions in mechanical maintenance in both hot rolling and casting with LTV Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1990. He also earned a M.S. degree in engineering management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2011. In 2019, Schneider earned an executive certificate in technology, operations, and value chain management from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
HARSSHA SHETTY
Chief Executive Officer|
Jindal Steel, Oman
Harssha Shetty has over 22 years of leadership experience in the steel, aluminum, and zinc industry, with key strategic leadership roles in Jindal Steel & Power and Vedanta Group. He holds an M.B.A. in marketing from NMIMS, Mumbai along with a B.Tech. degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering as well as a CFA Level 3 Certification.
ROBERT SORGER
Senior OEM and Technological Cooperation Manager for Continuous Casting
RHI Magnesita
A seasoned professional with over 22 years at RHI Magnesita, Robert Sorger currently serves as senior OEM and technological cooperation manager for continuous casting, driving strategic partnerships and technical advancements in Vienna. His expertise spans the steel industry, including a successful tenure as global sales director for RHI Magnesita sensor division, defining go-to-market strategies, building customer relationships, and managing pricing and margins for electromagnetic and infrared applications. His prior roles include senior technical leadership during the RHI and Magnesita merger, and strategic project management for technical services. Earlier, Sorger spent over 8 years as head of technical product manager for flow control Europe, managing the product portfolio, coordinating product rollouts, and holding IP rights for solutions like TUNFLOW. His foundation includes 4 years as a project manager for refractory application machinery and over 3 years as a product manager and deputy production line manager at Joh. Pengg AG.
PAOLO STAGNOLI
Director, Marketing and Sales, EAF and LF
Tenova S.p.A.
Holding an M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering and bringing 21 years of focused experience (since 2004) within the steelmaking sector, Paolo Stagnoli is one of the leaders delivering Tenova's meltshop solutions. His expertise covers the full life cycle from technology design through project management to after-sales support. Stagnoli is frequently selected to represent Tenova meltshops on the global stage, presenting cutting-edge technological advancements to industry experts at major international forums. He is passionately committed to driving innovation and shaping the future of steelmaking technology.
LEONARDO TAMEZ
Technical Sales Manager
Tenova HYL
Leonardo Tamez is an engineer from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, with over five years of experience in the steel industry, specializing in the direct reduction process. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey and has international experience from the Technical University of Dresden. Throughout his professional career, he has held key positions at Tenova HYL, as well as completed a placement at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH in Salzgitter, Germany. In addition to receiving various scholarships and awards — including the Steel Intern Scholarship from AIST, the Young Engineers Scholarship (KOSPIE) from DAAD, and an academic merit scholarship from Tecnológico de Monterrey — Tamez is known for his passion for the steel industry and for developing and implementing innovative and sustainable technologies for decarbonization in steel production. Over the course of his career, he has worked in areas such as research and development, production, project management, and commercial operations.
TOM TONER
Senior Advisor and Vice President Operations
SSAB Americas
Tom Toner is vice president of Operations for SSAB Americas, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he has leadership responsibility for all operational activities at SSAB’s North American steel plant, including safety, productivity, cost control and quality. In addition, in March 2022 he was appointed as a member of the Transformation Office team (Stockholm, Sweden). Toner joined SSAB (formerly IPSCO) in 1998 as meltshop manager at the company’s mill in Montpelier, Iowa, USA. In 2006, he was named superintendent of Primary Operations. He was given the added responsibility in 2012 of being team leader for the Northern Business Unit (NBU), accountable for the financial performance of the NBU production facilities consisting of the Montpelier, Iowa, operations, and cut-to-length line facilities in Minnesota and Ontario. He also served as general manager of the Iowa operations from 2015 through 2017. Toner holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (with a concentration in operations management) from the University of Delaware. He is also a graduate of the Strategic Metals Management Program, Olin Graduate School of Business, Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., USA.
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