Haikal El Abed

Haikal El Abed is a senior programme manager, transformation leader, and sustainability-focused project professional working at the intersection of project leadership, digital transformation, AI, TVET, and sustainable development. He currently works with GIZ in Ethiopia, where he leads complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives linked to green and digital transitions, market-relevant skills development, and institutional transformation. He brings more than 20 years of experience across Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, the Gulf region, and Europe, combining field-based delivery experience with strong project management practice. Haikal is PMP®, PMI-ACP®, and GPM-b certified, and is actively engaged in the global project management community, including PMI sustainability-related initiatives and chapter-level contributions. His work focuses on helping project leaders move sustainability from intention into governance, measurement, decision-making, and defensible value creation. His speaking style combines practical tools, real project experience, strategic reflection, and human-centered storytelling. He is particularly interested in how project professionals can use standards, AI-supported analysis, and simple decision tools to make sustainability visible, measurable, and actionable in everyday delivery.