Ibrahim S. Odeh
Teaching Professor in the Discipline of Construction Management, Strategy, and Business Development
Professor Ibrahim S. Odeh is a globally recognized leader in construction innovation, infrastructure strategy, and the future of the built environment.
He serves as Chair of the Construction Engineering and Management Program at Columbia Engineering and is the Founding Director of the Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) initiative. Over the past 15 years, he has built one of the world’s leading construction management education platforms, pioneering experiential learning, executive education, and digital programs that have reached nearly one million learners across more than 190 countries.
Professor Odeh advises governments, Fortune 500 companies, and international organizations on digital transformation, AI adoption, infrastructure strategy, and the future of capital projects. His expertise spans corporate strategy, market entry, business development, infrastructure market analysis, and organizational transformation, helping leading firms expand into new markets, develop new business lines, and strengthen their competitive positioning on complex, large-scale projects. He has led research and advisory engagements with organizations including the World Economic Forum, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Turner Construction, Skanska, Turner & Townsend, and Parsons.
An Industry Expert Member of the World Economic Forum since 2017, Professor Odeh has played a key role in shaping global discussions on The Future of Construction, serving on its advisory committee since 2015. His research and teaching focus on AI-enabled construction, digital transformation, megaproject leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the future of infrastructure. Through Columbia University and Coursera, his online programs have educated professionals from around the world, making him one of the leading voices in advancing construction management education globally.
Professor Odeh holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an MBA with a concentration in Finance, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. He serves on several national and international advisory boards. His contributions have been recognized with Columbia University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Columbia Engineering Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award for redefining engineering education on a global scale.
Research Areas
- Construction Engineering and Management
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Smart Cities (Infrastructure)
- Sustainable Infrastructure
Additional information
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Professional Experience
- Consultant – Skanska Inc. – New York, MAY 2014 – Present
- Consultant – HAKS – New York, FEB 2017 – Present
- Consultant – Dentons – New York, JAN 2016 – AUG 2016
- Advisor – STV Inc. – New York, JAN 2012 – MAY 2012
- Global Real Estate Developer – JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, MAY – AUG 2008
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Professional Affiliations
World Economic Forum – Expert Network
Smart City Works (Accelerator) – Advisory Board
CG/LA Inc. (www.cg-la.com) – Advisory Board
Columbia University Middle East Research Center – Faculty Steering Committee
AAAEA (www.aaaea-tristate.com) – Board of Trustees
AECOM Arabia Academy – Advisory Board
BADER for Entrepreneurship in Jordan – Review Committee
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Member
Jordanian Engineers Syndicate – Member -
Honors & Awards
- Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching Nominee; Finalist 11 from among 700 nominations and 5,000 faculty members, 2016.
- Columbia University, Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, School of Engineering, Columbia University, 2014.
- Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects Scholarship Award, Chicago, Illinois, 2009
- Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects Scholarship Award, Chicago, Illinois, 2008
- Teaching/Research Assistantship and Tuition Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005 to 2009