Candidate for Vice-Chair & Member-At-Large 2024-2026

Janka O’ Brien, PMP

Director of Sustainability, MEA
Emerson

Member, Business Leadership Alliance
Member, Energy Committee
AmCham Abu Dhabi

Citizenship: USA
Corporate Member

Candidate’s Statement

I pledge to use my 16+years’ experience in the US and 9+years’ experience in the UAE, including my prior work with the UAE Ministries and private sectors to drive commercial success of our members while creating value for the international community by:

  • Forging US-UAE AI/Decarbonization Technologies partnership by being involved with government organizations in supporting resetting government regulations, connecting AmCham Abu Dhabi members with tangible projects and initiatives opportunities in the UAE and globally in the space of clean energy, AI & Life Science.
  • Leading initiatives in understanding the access of projects funding opportunities.
  • Aligning NYUAD students’ initiatives with opportunities within private sector.

Candidate Questionnaire

Janka-OBrien-Candidate-Questionnaire-Form-2024-2026-ElectionDownload

Candidate’s Bio

Janka O’Brien is an entrepreneurial minded, result driven professional with over 20+ years of international experience in Project Management, Project delivery and execution specializing in Energy transition and Sustainability projects.

Janka O’Brien is currently the Director of Sustainability at Emerson Automation Solutions where she is leading the regions environmental sustainability strategy focusing on advancing innovative software solutions and technologies and advocacy to enhance company operations and enable customer improvements through Emerson’s solutions and collaboration.

In this role, Janka leads the development of the regional environmental sustainability strategy, with a specific emphasis on driving the advancement of innovative software solutions and technologies. Janka is deeply involved in advocacy efforts aimed at improving company operations and facilitating customer enhancements through an innovative technologies and solutions approach.

Furthermore, Janka actively collaborates with the UAE ministries, MEA and United States government organizations to provide support for energy transition initiatives. She served as a UAE delegate to COP27 (Egypt) and was an Expert Consultant to the Ministry of Climate Change for COP28 (UAE). Her role includes the formulation of strategies for the commercialization and implementation of innovative technologies, ensuring that they align with sustainability goals and models.

In her previous position as Director of Strategic Accounts for MEA region, covering IOC accounts in MEA including Iraq, she was responsible for developing and delivering a focused Digital Transformation and Asset and Energy Optimization strategies for IOC accounts, and maintaining business client relationships for the strategic accounts.

Janka holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware, USA in Mechanical Engineering.

Janka is married and has one 12 year old boy.