Dr. Ebere Donatus Okonta, a recipient of the UKRI Global Talent award, is a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) with the Chartered Institute of Building, UK, and a registered architect with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). He is an accomplished academic and industry expert specializing in digital construction, sustainable design, and building performance. He holds a PhD in Construction from Teesside University, where his research focused on semantic interoperability and unified City Information Modelling (CIM) to enhance smart city development. With over a decade of experience across architectural design, project management, and sustainability consulting, Dr. Okonta integrates advanced digital technologies with sustainable practices in his role as Director at SmartBuilt Digital Ltd. He has contributed to major research initiatives funded by Innovate UK and the European Commission's Horizon 2020 programme, addressing energy-efficient building systems, grid resilience, and carbon reduction strategies. Dr. Okonta is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice, equipping construction professionals and communities with innovative, data-driven solutions to address the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and a transformative vision for a more sustainable and resilient built environment. He is also a member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), the European Alliance for Innovation (EAI), and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA), and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), UK.