Colliers Engineering & Design Creates Innovation Director Role, Taps Arcadis AI Executive Esra Abumounshar

Colliers Engineering & Design has appointed Esra Abumounshar, RA, as director of innovation, a newly created role, the firm said in an announcement published by EIN Presswire on October 30, 2026. Abumounshar joins from Arcadis, where she was global director of digital and AI.

What Abumounshar Will Lead at Colliers Engineering & Design

Colliers Engineering & Design said Abumounshar will develop digital strategies to strengthen how the firm supports employees, serves clients and delivers projects. Her remit covers data and AI strategy and governance, process optimization, and evaluating emerging technologies to improve performance, efficiency and business outcomes, according to the announcement.

Abumounshar brings more than 15 years of experience across architecture, sustainability, design technology, digital transformation and product leadership. At Arcadis, she helped develop the company's digital and AI transformation strategy and supported the creation of an AI-enabled end-to-end framework for its Architecture & Urbanism division. Earlier roles include senior practice manager at Ulteig, where she led product strategy and technology solutions for the renewables, transportation and infrastructure sectors, and positions at Stantec, where she led global design automation initiatives.

"Esra brings an exceptional combination of technical expertise, strategic vision and industry leadership," said Jennie Muscarella, chief strategy officer at Colliers Engineering & Design. "Her experience helping global architecture, engineering and construction organizations implement digital transformation and AI initiatives will be instrumental as we continue to invest in innovation and position the firm for long-term growth."

Abumounshar said innovation is "a process fueled by culture and a strategic driver of both business performance and client success" and described growth, technology and innovation as one connected ecosystem.

Colliers Engineering's Recent Partnership Activity

According to akta.pro company records, Colliers Engineering & Design signed an agreement in May 2026 to partner with FSB Architects + Engineers, expanding aviation and mission-critical services. In February 2026 the firm announced a strategic alliance with vialytics to help municipal and public-sector clients modernize pavement assessments and infrastructure planning, and it acquired Ramos Consulting Services, a California-based transit engineering firm founded in 2008. The same records rank the firm 24th on ENR's Top 500 Design Firms list for 2026.

AI Leadership Appointments Across the Sector

Aretum hired Peter Santighian as chief executive on October 29, 2026, with a mandate covering digital transformation, cybersecurity and data intelligence, Washington Technology reported. PKF O'Connor Davies appointed Maher Masri as chief AI and transformation officer and partner on October 27, 2026, PR Newswire reported. XP named Rodrigo Kede Lima, a Microsoft executive, to its board in place of Martín Escobari on October 16, 2026, a change aimed at strengthening digitalization and AI initiatives, InfoMoney reported.