Global engineering federation, FIDIC, has appointed international transport industry leader Susanna Zammataro as its new chief executive officer.
FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, has appointed Susanna Zammataro, currently the director general of the International Road Federation (IRF) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as its new chief executive officer. Zammataro will start her new role at FIDIC on 1 May 2025.
FIDIC represents the global consulting engineering industry and is responsible for promoting the business interests of global firms supplying technology-based intellectual services for the built and natural environment. FIDIC’s membership counts around 100 national associations across the globe and represents more than one million engineering professionals and 40,000 firms. The buildings and infrastructure sector in which FIDIC members work contributes over US$36trillion to global GDP.
Susanna Zammataro is an accomplished industry sector leader, who as director general of the International Road Federation, a membership organisation representing leading corporate and institutional players in the global roads and mobility sectors, is responsible for leading and managing the organisation. She brings 25 years of unparalleled experience and expertise to her new role as FIDIC CEO. With a distinguished career spanning international organisations, the public and private sectors, Zammataro has built an extensive and influential network that spans continents and sectors, positioning her as a leading figure in global advocacy, strategic planning and organisational transformation.
As the director general of the International Road Federation, she has successfully spearheaded governance reforms, financial stabilisation and members’ engagement initiatives, while championing road safety and sustainability on a global scale. Her leadership has been critical in forging and nurturing high-level partnerships across governments, international financial institutions and the private sector, making her a trusted representative at key multilateral forums, including the UN, EU, multilateral development banks and COP negotiations. Under her leadership, IRF significantly expanded its global footprint, launched groundbreaking initiatives and raised the profile of road and transport infrastructure on a worldwide scale.
Her ability to navigate complex international landscapes has also been honed through her previous roles including at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where she worked on trade and investment agreements, at the European Commission and in shaping policy, international negotiations and advocacy efforts. With a master’s in European law from the College of Europe, coupled with a strong foundation in political science and international relations, Zammataro is an accomplished leader committed to driving innovation, fostering global cooperation and enhancing FIDIC’s influence in shaping the future of the global infrastructure sector.
Commenting on her new role as FIDIC CEO, Susanna Zammataro said: “I am deeply grateful for the 18 remarkable years spent with the International Road Federation, where I had the privilege of leading transformative initiatives that advanced road safety, sustainability and global partnerships. Joining FIDIC is both an absolute honour and a thrilling new chapter in my professional journey. I am truly grateful to the FIDIC board for their trust and I look forward to collaborating with both the board and FIDIC members to build on the organisation’s century-long legacy of excellence. Together, we will continue to shape the future of global infrastructure, driving innovation and fostering cooperation.”
Commenting on Zammataro’s appointment, FIDIC president and senior vice president of Stantec and former chief operating officer of Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec) Catherine Karakatsanis, said: “The FIDIC board and I are delighted to have found an excellent candidate like Susanna to be the next CEO of our organisation. As a global industry federation leader of many years standing, Susanna knows well how membership organisations work and is familiar with the business, political and regulatory environment in which they operate.
“Her significant experience in the international transportation sector and across the membership organisation arena show that she has the skills and expertise to lead FIDIC into the future. Susanna’s skillset and experience in delivering success and influencing decision makers is just what we need at FIDIC and her collegiate and collaborative approach shines through in everything that she does. The board and I, together with the FIDIC staff, are looking forward to working with Susanna and giving her our full support as she takes on her new role as our new chief executive.”
While FIDIC’s remit is a global one, Susanna Zammataro will operate from the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland when she takes up her new role as CEO on 1 May 2025.
