Eric Claeys holds a degree as Civil Engineer in Construction from KU Leuven, Belgium, a degree in Industrial Engineering in Public Works from KU Leuven, Belgium, and graduated with a Master in Business Administration from the Vlerick Business School, Belgium. Eric has 40 years of experience in façade technologies and consulting and was involved in hundreds of prestigious projects by the most famous architects in more than 30 countries worldwide. Since the very beginning, value engineering has been his driving force, along with the belief that “ It always seems impossible until it’s done”. Out-of-the-box thinking is not just in his DNA; it is his DNA.

Eric is the inventor of “hybrid” curtain wall systems, an innovative combination of stick and unitized CW systems. The technologies are covered by an extensive patent portfolio in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Innovating is critical, but it is not enough. The Fassada steel curtain wall technologies are carefully engineered to revolutionize the market, setting a new standard to eliminate problems and enable the impossible.

Eric is co-founder of Fassada Steel SA, which is a Switzerland-based joint venture between the Swiss Montanstahl AG and the Belgian Fassada Group, the parent company of Fassada Technologies.

Hamid is the leader of WSP Façade Center of Excellence in Canada. Hamid sets direction for WSP’s major projects leading to Client success, while sharing knowledge and growing his team’s technical expertise across regions. Hamid collaborates with our WSP’s global façade teams to further enhance project delivery to Client’s who seek to benefit from the global perspective on façade design and construction strategies. Core to this and on-going basis for Hamid is his passion for learning and sharing information with his team and those in the industry to continuously grow. Hamid has served in several industry committee’s and contributed to technical publications and is a member of Special Advisory Council of Façade Tectonics Institute’s (FTI), a non-profit member-based organization, whose mission is to promote innovation in the art, science, and technology of the building facade in pursuit of accelerating change in the performance of built environments.

Joern Teipel studied Physics in Bonn, Germany, and at The Ohio State University in Columbus, USA, and obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2006 in the field of nonlinear optics. He began his professional career in 2006 at a technical consultancy in Frankfurt. In 2009 he joined ThyssenKrupp Steel where he was responsible for the business development of magnesium flat products. In 2011 he transferred to the stainless steel producer ThyssenKrupp Nirosta in Krefeld – now Outokumpu. As Lead Technical Manager he is globally in charge of the usage of stainless steel in aesthetical architectural applications from the technical perspective and involved in the development of new surface finishes.

Justin D’Alessandro is a National Architectural Manager at Vitro Architectural Glass, driving façade specifications across the Mid-South region and partnering with New York City–based stakeholders for international project work.

A graduate of The Catholic University of America’s School of Architecture, Justin works alongside Architects, Developers, and Façade Consultants, leveraging his technical expertise to deliver advanced glazing strategies that optimize energy performance, design vision, and sustainability outcomes. Prior to his career in the façade industry, Justin played five seasons of professional baseball, signing with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He recently consulted on the reglaze and expansion of the Pittsburgh Glass Center, a project featuring vacuum insulated glazing technology to drive design innovation in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Krista is passionate about contributing to innovation in the sustainable architecture and design field. She believes that this can be best achieved by merging design thinking with building science and ecology.

She excels at facilitating collaboration within design teams to develop radical and successful ideas and approaches. Her expertise covers areas like complex thermal simulation, daylight modelling, and natural ventilation design. With a background spanning engineering, architecture, and interdisciplinary design, Krista has led teams to create numerous award winning ultra-sustainable innovative projects worldwide, while operating from Toronto, Canada.

Kristoph Karbach is the Executive Vice President of Lumon Group’s North American division. An international leader in balcony glazing systems, Lumon Group is transforming outdoor spaces for homeowners across the globe.

Before joining Lumon in early 2022, Kristoph managed and led strategic initiatives at organizations including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the University of Toronto. Now, he brings his leadership and management insight into his position steering Lumon’s North American operations, including overseeing one of Lumon Group’s three production facilities that service markets around the globe.

In addition to leading a dynamic, cross-country team of sales, installation, production, and administrative specialists, he also engages and educates homeowners and professional builders alike on how glazing systems can transform a home’s façade.

Partner architect since 2020, Lilia joined NEUF architect(e)s in 2011 to contribute to the development of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), one of the largest healthcare projects in North America. She now leads the Toronto office and oversees the firm’s Ontario portfolio, which includes large-scale master plans, the renewal of emblematic spaces within Canada’s financial core, and complex infrastructure in the healthcare, aerospace, and high-rise residential sectors. Her recent work includes the expansion of the Perley Rideau Health Centre and the Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre at Pearson International Airport.

Lilia embraces advanced modelling technologies such as BIM and emphasizes rigorous team coordination to ensure design and technical excellence at every stage of a project. A committed communicator, she is actively engaged in conversations on the future of the profession through the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), and regularly takes part in international events such as the Design & Health Conference in Austria and the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale alongside researchers from ETH Zurich, the University of Toronto, and Toronto Metropolitan University.

Marco Chow has over 15 years of experience as a project architect since completing a Master of Architecture at McGill University.  With a strong design foundation and a background in building and construction technologies, Marco has contributed to various public and private commercial and institutional projects, leading teams seamlessly from feasibility design through construction to post construction reviews. As part of the rapidly growing Toronto studio of NEUF architect(e)s, Marco has dedicated his time to growing to the firm's leading position in the Canadian aerospace sector. Most recently, he co-led the completion of the Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre at Toronto Pearson International Airport, earning the prestigious Diamond Supplier Award in 2024 for the quality of provided services. Eager to continue resolving complex and technical project requirements, Marco is now embarking on a new aviation campus project in Western Canada that will further elevate Canadian’s aerospace industry worldwide.

Matthew Ferraro is an Associate Principal at WEISS/MANFREDI. Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, a multidisciplinary design practice based in New York City. He is a registered architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED Accredited Professional with significant experience orchestrating design efforts for projects with high aspirations for sustainable design, and innovative building envelopes and technologies. Matthew is currently the senior project architect for the University of Toronto Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre in Toronto, Ontario, as well as the senior project manager for the Rego Park Community Library in Queens, New York.

Previously, he worked on a series of notable projects at WEISS/MANFREDI. He was a technical coordinator for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, focusing on facade and envelope detailing for the multitude of buildings within the revamped embassy complex; as well as the senior project architect for Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, a multi-phased renovation and new construction project on Cornell’s campus in Ithaca, New York. Matthew was also a project architect for both the Novartis Office Building and Novartis Visitor’s Reception. Before joining WEISS/MANFREDI, he worked as a project architect at Evan Heintges Architects, now Heintges Consulting Architects & Engineers, in New York City where he worked on several high-profile institutional and government projects, including the United Nations Headquarters and Biogen Idec Corporate Center, which received LEED Platinum certification. At the beginning of his career, Matthew was an associate and designer at the office of The Carman Group in New York City, where he worked on numerous high-end interior residential projects.

Matthew Ferraro received his Master of Architecture with distinction from Pratt Institute, where he received the Academic Achievement and Pratt Circle awards. He received his Bachelor of Urban Design and Architectural Studies with honors from New York University. Matthew complements his professional work by lecturing at facade symposiums, including Glasscon Global and Zak World of Facades, as well as by participating as a guest design critic at several universities, including Pratt Institute and New York Institute of Technology. He volunteers by serving on architectural boards and committees within his local community.

Peter Dushenski is the Managing Director of Canada-based GlasCurtain inc., the leading manufacturer of fibreglass-framed curtain wall systems. Since 2013, he's lead the company to several industry firsts including the world's highest thermally-performing glazed curtain wall based on Passive House (PHI) certification - rated to 0.60 W/m2K - while growing the company's installer network to over 35 partners across North America. Peter has previously been invited to speak at the Canada-EU Green Building Forum in Brussels, Belgium, at Ecobuild in London, UK, at Performance-Based Façade Design in Venice, Italy, at Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) National Conference, and Passive House Canada National Conference. In addition to curtain wall, Peter's passions include history, philosophy, and staying active with his young family.

Robert leads the North American activities for Jansen, a Swiss-based manufacturer of steel systems for facades & fenestration.  

Originally an Illinois native, he has over 20 years experience with international projects in both construction and architectural planning. He has a passion for innovative technology alongside an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship which perfectly combine for signature, unique architecture.

Robert is involved in Jansen’s efforts to deliver steel solutions that contribute to a building’s aesthetics, environmental performance and inhabitant well-being.

Tobiasz Staszak is Area Manager North America at Reynaers Aluminum focused on developing a successful growing market. Having a background in the building industry for 14 years, gaining experience in technology, sales, and value proposition development. For the last 5 years Tobiasz has been coordinating the Canadian market and as of this summer he added the US. Tobiasz consistently goes above and beyond to foster enduring partnerships with our esteemed fabricators, architects, real estate developers, general contractors and engineers. By nurturing these relationships, we ensure mutual growth and success in the future. Tobiasz's commitment sets the stage for a prosperous journey together.