Ash Leyva is a seasoned real estate and project development executive with over two decades of experience spanning human resources, residential and commercial real estate, non-performing loan (NPL) servicing, and multifamily affordable housing development.

He began his career as a General Manager in the staffing industry (2001–2006) before transitioning into real estate in 2006 as a Realtor with RE/MAX in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Amid the 2008 financial crisis, he was recruited by Kondaur Capital Corporation, where he honed deep expertise in NPL servicing, loss mitigation, asset valuation, and loan default resolution strategies. His work included negotiating complex transactions such as deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, short sales, loan modifications (HAMP, HARP), and title lien settlements, while also serving as a corporate representative in foreclosure proceedings across Florida.

In 2015, Ash joined Wedgewood, a multi-state real estate investment firm, where he led acquisitions and management of foreclosed and bank-owned properties. His NPL acumen also supported HMC Assets and Civic Financial, contributing to due diligence and valuation of collateral for investor-focused hard money loans.

Ash’s next chapter began in 2018 with Offerpad, where he served as a Home Marketing Consultant, evaluating residential assets for acquisition and renovation. In 2021, he was promoted to National Renovation Operations Manager, overseeing property acquisition, renovation, and resale strategies across multiple states.

In 2022, Ash was appointed Vice President of Project Development at Blue Sky Communities in Tampa, Florida, where he presently leads the development and construction of multifamily affordable housing communities across the state—combining operational insight with a mission-driven approach to housing equity.

He recently joined the PMI Switzerland Chapter following a visit to the country that left a lasting impression. Captivated by Switzerland’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and reputation for business excellence, he was inspired to deepen his understanding of real estate development and construction project management within the Swiss context. Based in the United States, Ash views his involvement with the Chapter as a strategic opportunity to expand his global perspective, foster meaningful professional relationships, and engage with Switzerland’s dynamic project management community.

Ash holds multiple industry designations, including:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) – PMI
- Construction Document Technologist (CDT) – CSI
- Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) – CSI
- Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) – NAHB
- Licensed Florida Real Estate Agent – FL DOS

He is a published author who enjoys writing poetry and fiction novels. He is passionate about sports, outdoor life, reading great literature, and learning new languages. Born in Cuba, he speaks fluent Spanish and English and is committed to achieving proficiency in French and German in the immediate future.

Shahidah Foster is a certified Project Management Professional (CAPM®) and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt with a Master’s in International Management & Information Systems. She is currently R&D PMO Manager at Jungbunzlauer, where she leads portfolio governance, Stage Gate methodology, and digital transformation initiatives.

Shahidah began her career in customer service leadership across diverse industries including airline (passenger transport), aviation (engine parts and aircraft accessories) and luxury cosmetics, before transitioning into portfolio and project management in the life sciences sector. At Sartorius and Jungbunzlauer, she has coordinated global R&D portfolios, authored business cases for enterprise project management systems, and co-leading the rollout of ClickUp for product development projects and driving Salesforce for customer-driven projects.

In addition to her PMO leadership, she directed a 16-person leadership team for a 600+ member global women’s network, embedding DEI and employee engagement initiatives in partnership with HR and Communications.

Passionate about creating community and fostering collaboration, she thrives on building frameworks that enable cross-functional collaboration and accelerate strategic outcomes.

Shahidah joined PMI Switzerland to deepen her expertise in project management offices and connect with peers who share her passion for innovation, transformation, and knowledge exchange.

Fluent in English and German with knowledge in Spanish and French, she brings a strong international perspective, having lived and worked across the US, Germany, and now working in Switzerland. Outside of work, she enjoys strength and flexibility training, hosting dinners and events for friends and family, exploring global cultures through travel groups and language exchange meetups as well as building her personal brand around women’s leadership and career growth.

 Daniel is on a mission to help pharmaceutical companies make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives by streamlining regulatory compliance processes. His work is grounded in state-of-the-art science and the integration of novel medical technologies, ensuring that innovation and compliance go hand in hand.

As a seasoned Computer System Validation (CSV) Consultant and Project Manager, Daniel brings extensive experience from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. He specializes in managing the full lifecycle of computerized systems—from initial conception and requirements gathering through development, release, and operation, all the way to system retirement. His expertise spans both agile and traditional waterfall project environments, allowing him to adapt to diverse organizational needs and regulatory frameworks.

Daniel recently joined the PMI Switzerland Chapter with the goal of connecting with fellow project management professionals, particularly those working at the intersection of technology and healthcare. He is eager to contribute his insights and learn from the collective experience of the community, especially in navigating the complexities of regulatory landscapes.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel is passionate about hybrid training, combining resistance and strength workouts to maintain a balanced and active lifestyle. A true enthusiast of the outdoors and the mountains, he enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing, especially in his favorite playgrounds, the Fribourg Pre-Alps and the Bernese Oberland. Above all, Daniel values quality time with his family, which remains at the heart of his personal life.

You can know more about Daniel by visiting his LinkedIn profile.

Emmanuelle Kopp-Cosyns brings over two decades of experience in the energy and retail sectors, having held a variety of leadership roles at BP. From 2009 to 2021, she managed BP’s Swiss Convenience business, where she led strategic initiatives in supply chain optimization and mergers & acquisitions. Her career then expanded into the European Mobility and Convenience team, where she oversaw cross-market strategy execution and stakeholder management within a complex matrix organization.

Currently, Emmanuelle serves as the Convenience Offer Development Program Manager, spearheading innovative food service and mobility projects across multiple European countries. Her work reflects a strong commitment to strategic transformation, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation.

Emmanuelle joined the PMI Switzerland Chapter to connect with fellow project and program management professionals, engage in meaningful dialogue, and further develop her leadership and agile capabilities. She is preparing for the PgMP certification to complement her extensive experience and aims to leverage the chapter’s mentoring program to learn best-in-class practices from seasoned peers. Her goal is to continue advancing in the field of project and program management by embracing new opportunities aligned with her values of excellence and transformation.

Having worked in France, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, Emmanuelle deeply values culturally diverse perspectives. She believes in translating strategy into action through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and effective stakeholder engagement.

Outside of her professional life, Emmanuelle enjoys reading French literature, hiking in the Swiss mountains, and volunteering with Caritas, where she supports a young girl from a disadvantaged background. Her dedication to both personal growth and community impact underscores her holistic approach to leadership and life.

You can learn more about Emmanuelle by visiting her LinkedIn profile