Iryna Akulenka

Iryna is a Director with HKA Dubai, and a strategic advisor with nearly two decades of experience, including in real estate, engineering and construction, and more recently in professional services including dispute resolution, preparation & defence of contractual claims, and expert work.

Iryna is dual qualified, holding a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master degree in Construction Law, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.

Iryna specialises in contracts & quantum and is known for her commercial acumen and her ability to quickly get to the root of the issues. Prior to joining HKA, Iryna has held project management positions with consultancies in the UAE, managing the commercial, financial and technical delivery aspects of numerous design and construction projects, whilst also developing client relationships in the MENA and CIS countries. This experience, coupled with a broad skillset, has enabled a smooth transition into contractual claims and dispute resolution, assisting clients in any facet of contractual disputes in the infrastructure, construction, oil & gas, and energy sectors.

Iryna is multilingual, her experience is truly international and includes many prestigious projects throughout the Middle East and beyond (across some 20 countries), including buildings, power plants (hydro, geothermal, gas-fired, combined-cycle gas turbine), airports and ports, oil & gas facilities, refining plants and manufacturing facilities.

She is recognised by Lexology/ WWL under ‘Construction Experts – Future Leaders’ (2025 Guide).

Elsewhere, Iryna is a true mentor known to many for her people skills.  She has a strong passion for all things ED&I and empowering the youth.