Celebrating Women in Satellite 2025

This year, when Via Satellite put out a call for nominations for Celebrating Women in Satellite, we received the largest-ever response — an outpouring of stories about the incredibly talented women in the space and satellite industry. The fourth edition of Celebrating Women in Satellite recognizes 46 women, more than any other year. In total, Celebrating Women in Satellite has honored the contributions of more than 135 women over four years.

What makes this feature so special is the community behind it. It’s not just a list of resumes, it’s the real stories of the women driving the industry forward, written by their colleagues, mentors, friends and leaders. A special thank you to everyone that submitted a nomination in the past four years, making this story possible.

Margaret Abernathy, General Counsel & VP of Government Relations, Impulse Space

Margaret Abernathy’s expertise spanning government, engineering, and law makes her an indispensable leader. She plays a key role in navigating the intricacies of the regulatory landscape, while also securing both commercial and government contracts. She is undaunted by the complexities of regulations in our industry and her can-do attitude and sage advice are always appreciated. She brings a nuanced understanding of government affairs and the impact they have on our space exploration and national security. As the co-founder of an all-women rocket group at Duke University, with longstanding service on the Duke Pratt board of directors, Margaret continues to champion and mentor the next generation of female engineers. — Eric Romo, Impulse Space

Meghna Agrawal, Director of Advanced Network Technologies, Skylo

As part of her role leading the advanced network technologies group inside Skylo, Meghna Agrawal has helped shape and materialize the direct to device. She has made significant technology innovations with over 50 non-terrestrial network (NTN) related patent filings to her name. Within Skylo, Meghna's emphasis has been on fostering a team and culture built around innovation and collaboration. She is a deep technologist and enjoys getting down into the bits and bytes. One of the things that brings her the most joy is to see the different projects her team members have come up with take off and flourish. — Andrew Nuttall, Skylo

Belén Andrés, CEO, Teraqua Space

Belén Andrés has led projects that push the boundaries of innovation, including Spain's first high-resolution Earth observation satellite. At Rocket Lab, she developed the entire communications system for the Electron launch vehicle, ensuring reliable and advanced connectivity for one of today’s leading launch platforms. Her expertise spans satellites, rockets, and groundbreaking technologies like optical and terahertz communications. From developing the future systems for security and sovereign communications focusing on optical systems, Belén has been a true leader in driving advancements in satellite constellations and next-generation communication systems. — Emanuel Ávila, Maxon Motor

Meredith Beveridge, Director of Engineering, Advanced Space LLC

Meredith Beveridge leads our software development efforts, defining our processes for delivering and maintaining quality software, hiring new teammates as needed, and guiding software architecture. Meredith ensures all Advanced Space projects deliver quality solutions to satisfied customers within schedule and budget. She also architected embedded software for other highly constrained environments. Meredith guides software engineers to produce high quality software for mission design and navigation algorithms, onboard spacecraft autonomy and processing, and ground software for spacecraft operations. — Yasmine Almond, Advanced Space LLC

Dominique Boisvert, Director of Production, Satellite Systems, MDA Space

It is easy to underestimate quiet leaders, but there is no denying that behind Dominique’s reserved and understated demeanor lies a sharp strategist. When Dominique started at MDA Space as a product assurance manager a little over a decade ago, she brought a new, proactive process to product quality planning that prevented issues upstream so we could deliver 2,400 antennas on time. Now, she shoulders a great deal of responsibility in the company’s transformation as it shifts to high-volume satellite manufacturing with vision, critical thinking, and a calm and good-natured approach. Dominique is just the kind of humble leader anyone would want on their team. — Luigi Pozzebon, MDA Space

Renata Brazil David, Deputy Director General & Director of International and Regulatory Affairs, ITSO

Renata Brazil David was the first woman ever elected as the head of a major international intergovernmental satellite organization. Her election to this position reflects her long-standing commitment and dedication to ensuring that all countries of the world have reliable access on a nondiscriminatory basis to those capabilities. The 149 member countries of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) entrusted her with the mission of guiding ITSO forward. Renata has also shepherded many of the American University Washington College of Law resources, to ensure that all ITSO member countries possess the technical, operational and commercial expertise necessary to fully utilize the potential for communications. — Maury Mechanick, ITSO External Legal Advisor

Elizabeth Christensen, VP Business Development, Blackstar Orbital

Elizabeth Christensen has been instrumental in advancing the company’s vision for reshaping space infrastructure through its reusable SpaceDrone systems. With a focus on developing innovative satellite platforms for defense, communications, Earth observation, and research, Elizabeth has expanded BlackStar’s influence in national and Arizona aerospace sectors. Her leadership has driven critical partnerships and secured opportunities that align with the company’s commitment to modular and sustainable space technologies. Her ability to connect technical breakthroughs with market potential has ensured that BlackStar Orbital continues to lead in delivering efficient, reusable, and impactful solutions for both government and commercial clients. — Christopher Jannette, Blackstar Orbital

Lina Cirtautaite, Spacecraft Control Services Manager, Avanti Communications

Lina Cirtautaite quickly became a pivotal figure in the team, contributing not only her technical expertise but also shaping the capabilities of her team. Her team has grown in both skill and confidence, with Lina often stepping into a player/coach role, helping newcomers navigate their first job. Known for her resilience and positive attitude, Lina approaches every challenge with a smile and a sense of purpose, reinforcing the importance of the work her team is doing. Her leadership style is grounded in a deep understanding of the mission at hand, and her enthusiasm for the space industry is contagious. She has managed to balance the technical demands of her role with the personal growth of her team members, ensuring that they not only meet their targets but also thrive in their careers. — Mark Loveday, Avanti Communications

Hilary Cohen, Director of Operations, HEO

Hilary Cohen has profoundly shaped my career and the satellite industry with her vision, determination, and selfless leadership. She leads with purpose, advancing the proliferation of non-Earth imaging (NEI) sensors across all orbits in the Earth-Moon system. Hilary has driven meaningful advancements in national space security and catalyzed innovation across the sector. What makes Hilary truly exceptional is her unwavering support for her team and peers. She never hesitates to roll up her sleeves to get things done. She’s the kind of leader who empowers others to dream bigger, push boundaries, and deliver results that matter. Her work has not only strengthened our industry but has also inspired a new generation of professionals to pursue excellence and collaboration in space. — Abdiel Vazquez, Velos

Becky Cudzilo, Senior Engineering Fellow, Astroscale U.S.

Becky Cudzilo is one of the most inspirational women in the space industry. She is constantly mentoring and pushing young professionals to be innovative and challenge the industry standards, elevating them to opportunities they would not receive otherwise without her guidance. Personally, she’s taught me various ways our spacecraft can operate and doesn’t hesitate to tell me the second time when I don’t understand right away. She’s been a part of many companies and seen various aspects of the space industry throughout her career, but she still values the opinions of young professionals. She is a great mentor! — Kristin Shahady, Astroscale

Melissa Deardorff, Director of Program Operations, Maxar

Melissa has been a pioneer and thought leader in the commercial satellite imagery field in multiple roles at Maxar, formerly known as DigitalGlobe, and before that EarthWatch. Over the last 24 years, Melissa has been instrumental in building collection planning systems, processes, and teams to optimize collections from Maxar’s satellite constellation. Personally, I have worked with Melissa for the last 10+ years and consider her to be one of the true experts in the commercial satellite industry. Her leadership and technical prowess have not only helped Maxar and its customers, but also helped set the bar for the broader commercial satellite industry. She has mentored many people over the last 24 years and left a lasting impression with many on a variety of approaches to solving complex problems with tight deadlines. — Steve Mattingley, Maxar

Paridhi Desai, Director of Technical Program Management, Muon Space

With a strong foundation in robotics and autonomous systems, Paridhi Desai brings a systems engineering mindset to satellite development. Her unique ability to connect the dots across disciplines ensures that risks are not just addressed reactively but proactively mitigated. Paridhi’s hands-on leadership was pivotal in Muon Space’s first satellite launch, a program she spearheaded from the ground up. Starting with no predefined requirements, she established clarity, drove progress, and delivered the mission successfully. She leverages her experience to mentor her team, guiding them as they tackle complex projects for wildfire management and Earth observation. With her technical expertise and thoughtful leadership, Paridhi inspires confidence among her teams to deliver solutions that address some of the world’s most critical challenges. — Cathy Olkin, Muon Space

Tara Dulaney, Integrated Project Team Lead, ASRC Federal

Tara Dulaney’s leadership and dedication shines through in her work at ASRC Federal where she leads and manages projects for the company’s NOAA and NASA customers. Her contributions during NASA’s organizational restructuring have been equally impactful, as she coordinates impactful events that address critical issues and spark meaningful dialogue. Tara is also a mentor for her alma mater. She is on the Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Society board of directors and advises students seeking careers in industrial engineering. As a mentor, she inspires the next generation of leaders, offering guidance that fosters professional and personal growth. — Stephen Padgett, ASRC Federal

Madi Dulisse, National Security Account Manager, Iceye US

Madi Dulisse brought her space experience from the U.S. Navy to Iceye this past year and immediately dove into supporting important space customers. She creates opportunities through her friendly energy and is constantly networking and collaborating for the benefit of others. Her innovative enthusiasm for bringing space capabilities to those that need them is generating good waves across the industry. Her positive, encouraging attitude makes her a pleasure to work with. — Garry Engle

Dr. Debra Emmons, VP & Chief Technology Officer, Aerospace

Dr. Debra Emmons exemplifies the transformative leadership and unwavering dedication that inspire individuals and elevate the satellite and space industry. Her work through programs like Student Research Days, Space Tech Days, and Science Olympiad Urban School Initiatives reflect her deep commitment to fostering diverse talent and empowering underrepresented groups to excel in aerospace. Debra has impacted me personally through her role as a mentor and advocate for innovation and inclusion. Her vision for harnessing the power of innovation to solve our nation’s toughest challenges inspires all who work with her, ensuring that her influence will resonate far beyond her remarkable career. — Dan Noyes, Aerospace

Sabrina Ferrari, VP Legal, Compliance and Regulatory, Hughes do Brasil

Sabrina Ferrari is one of the most influential women in legal and regulatory issues in the satellite telecommunications sector in Brazil. Since 2008 she has helped Hughes do Brasil to build up a strong legal department and regulatory strategies. She also works with Federal Agency Telecommunications in Brazil to develop and update regulations, as well as to improve rules that impact the industry and market, including new procedures for site licensing. — Marco Afonso, Hughes do Brasil

Katie Graumann, COO and Co-Founder of NUVIEW

Katie is an inspiration with her unwavering dedication to excellence, whether in business or personal life. From the moment we began working together, I could see how her focus, discipline, and work ethic set her apart. Her leadership in business operations has made a tangible difference in our team. She approaches challenges with a level of determination and strategic thinking that motivates everyone around her to push beyond their limits. Katie’s ability to listen, communicate clearly, and collaborate effectively has created a supportive and productive environment, where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. — Jean Ashby, NUVIEW

Roshni Gururaj, Senior Manager Engineering, ST Engineering iDirect

Roshni Gururaj thrives on tackling the most complex and challenging problems, demonstrating not only her problem-solving skills but also her ability to teach, lead and inspire others. She effectively guides teams to solve issues that require collaborative effort and innovation. As a QA engineering leader, Roshni bridges the gap between customer expectations and engineering deliverables with remarkable insight. She has a forward-thinking approach, envisioning strategic goals that expand the boundaries of what is possible. Her dedication, vision, and ability to influence both her team and the organization bring immense value and credit to the industry. — Nathan Gibson, ST Engineering iDirect

Mariah Hake, System Engineering Director, Orbit Fab Inc.

Mariah was my first hire as Chief Engineer and she’s one of the best engineers and managers I have ever met. I describe her as ‘the best boss you will ever have.’ Her intelligence and empathy have allowed her to quickly gain the trust of the team and drive them to excellence. Her leadership has helped the company enter its most productive period ever. Orbit Fab qualified their first product this year, swiftly advanced our second product to design closure as well and drove the world's first refueling payload from a pre-PDR level at the beginning of the year to an initial build in December. — Kevin Smith, Orbit Fab Inc.

Rachel Harris, Space Robotics Engineer, Starfish Space

As one of the first women hired at satellite-servicing startup Starfish Space, Rachel Harris has exhibited dedication to creating a positive and inclusive environment through genuine conversations — professional and interpersonal alike. She is a mechanical engineer specializing in the full lifecycle of in-space robotics development. She is a primary contributor to development of Nautilus, a hardware-agnostic capture mechanism designed to safely dock with satellites in orbit. In addition to her professional role, Rachel regularly volunteers as a STEM skills teacher with a local organization providing after-school enrichment for housing insecure teens in the greater Seattle area. The combination of Rachel’s domain expertise, creative problem-solving skills, contribution to ground-breaking tech development, and personal passion for supporting women in STEM, makes her a trailblazing mechanical engineer. — Alex Coultrup, Starfish Space

Yvette Hopkins, Board Chair, Craft Prospect

Yvette Hopkins is in the lifelong pursuit of leadership excellence, forging her mettle through team sports, military command (both on and off the battlefield), commercial C-Suite, and leading leaders on boards. Yvette’s commercial space experience began with her work to establish a vertical launch spaceport in Shetland, Scotland, contributing to an emerging and vibrant U.K. space-based economy. She now serves as chair of the board of Glasgow based Craft Prospect, where she brings her clarity of thought, leadership experience in military and civil organizations, and real empathy with all stakeholders.

She is a genuine peoples’ person, and equally at home with our employees as she is with government ministers and officials on both sides of the Atlantic. She is passionate about space, and our business and is helping focus the company for future growth as well as being an advocate of our employees. She’s had a home in the Shetlands for most of her life and is passionate about the area as well. — David Gilmore

Amy Hurley, Electrical Engineer, US Naval Research Laboratory

Amy Hurley is an outstanding professional with exceptional technical, leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills. Amy’s leadership and technical contributions to over a decade of space robotics development at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have enabled major accomplishments that will have significant impact on the future space economy. Amy is extremely detail-oriented, innovative at solving challenging problems, skilled at managing risk, and effective at organizing information. Amy tackles unique programmatic challenges associated with an infinitely configurable robotic payload and a public-private partnership. Amy is an outstanding example demonstrating tenacity, positivity and patience. — Dr. Joanne T. Woestman, Northrop Grumman

Layal Jabbour, RF Engineering Senior Manager, Lockheed Martin Space

Layal Jabbour is an embodiment of doing what is right for the business while taking care of our people. She gives attention to every member of her team and ensures that the program pressures do not affect their focus or quality of work. Layal demonstrates how women embrace a speak-up culture while taking accountability and proving to be a reliable resource when it matters most. With exceptional performance and business acumen, she serves as an example and mentor to other women engineers and leaders. Layal gives voice and confidence to women and the leadership community to continuously grow and develop their leadership skills and networks. — Chris Ashworth, Lockheed Martin Space

Agnieszka Koscielniak, GEO Satellite Systems Engineering Manager, SWISSto12

Agnieszka Koscielniak exemplifies a rare blend of technical expertise, visionary thinking, and exemplary leadership. Agnieszka’s ability to think “outside the box” has been critical in addressing complex engineering challenges. From leading multidisciplinary system architecture trades to successfully navigating complex design reviews, Agnieszka ensures product lines meet diverse customer demands. She is a driving force in fostering collaboration and bridging cultural and geographic divides, cultivating a unified, high-performing team. Her efforts have not only driven innovation but also created an environment of shared success, inspiring her colleagues to excel. — Emile de Rijk, SWISSto12

Belinda Marchand, Chief Science Officer, Slingshot Aerospace

Dr. Belinda Marchand is an exemplary role model known for her resilience, intellect, and problem-solving skills. Beyond her extraordinary technical expertise, Belinda embodies an unwavering level of kindness and care that sets her apart in the space industry. Her ability to blend technical excellence with genuine humanity has had a transformative impact on those fortunate enough to work with her, including me. She fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation at Slingshot, driving her teams to ensure space safety, sustainability, and security. Aside from the depth of her professional experience, Belinda is deeply committed to educating the next generation of space scientists and enthusiasts. She mentors students and professional newcomers to the space domain, looking beyond traditional measures of excellence to recognize raw talent. — Kelli Furrer, Slingshot Aerospace

Dolores Martos, Vice President of Sales, Latin America & Caribbean, Telesat

Dolores exemplifies true dedication to her work, approaching every challenge with commitment, enthusiasm, and innovation. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the commercial satellite industry across Latin America. Her extensive knowledge of satcom has earned her the trust and admiration of colleagues and customers alike. I consider myself fortunate to have met Dolores early in my career. She has been a constant personal and professional inspiration. For many of us, she is nothing short of a rock star, and her influence is both profound and enduring. — Herminia Salazar, ALL.SPACE

Karen McConnell, Executive Director of Spacecraft, Blue Canyon Technologies

With more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace community, Karen McConnell is one of the most knowledgeable individuals that I’ve had the privilege to know. She has a remarkable ability to carve away the extraneous weight on a problem to distill it to a simple, more digestible problem statement. This knowledge and experience across the industry, combined with her passion for innovation and growth make her one of the best leaders, mentors, and colleagues that I have ever worked with. Karen has a rare mixture of technical intelligence, emotional intelligence, and leadership that one encounters perhaps once in a career. Her strength in program management and pragmatic approach has allowed Blue Canyon to overcome complex challenges and to rise as a world leader in small satellites. — Chris Winslett, General Manager, Blue Canyon Technologies

Sarah Nickell, Founder of Nickell Communications

Sarah Nickell has significantly influenced the space and satellite industry through her specialized public relations expertise. With over a decade of experience in high-growth technology sectors, Sarah collaborates with commercial space companies across the supply chain and has built an impressive roster of some of the most well-known NewSpace companies. Her work has amplified her clients’ achievements and contributions to the space industry.

Sarah has had a profound impact on me personally — not just as a friend and colleague, but as a mother as well. When I was at a crossroads in my career trying to navigate work-life balance, she gave me advice that has stuck with me ever since: you can do it all. And she truly lives by those words, showing that it is possible to build a successful, meaningful career while staying deeply committed to family and being present for your little ones. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside her and to have her as a source of inspiration and support. — Aubrey Scanlan

Katie Nyland, Systems Engineer, Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield Company

Katie is foundational to Orion’s success and has made extraordinary contributions to the satellite industry through many satellite missions with her innovative designs and integrations of complex satellite systems. She has played a pivotal role in advancing technologies and processes in smallsat manufacturing, payload integration and more. Katie consistently demonstrates unparalleled professionalism, level-headedness, and unwavering integrity. Katie stands out as a leader who not only excels in her role but also motivates and supports those around her. She approaches every challenge with a solution-oriented mindset and consistently delivers outstanding results. Her ability to remain calm under pressure and her commitment to ethical practices make her an invaluable asset to our organization. — Sara Tatsch, Orion Space Solutions

Dr. Kristina Otero, Vice President of Education, Aldrin Family Foundation

Dr. Kristina Otero spearheads the S-Cubed (Student Satellites in Space) career technical education program, which provides high school students with hands-on experience in satellite engineering and operations. Kristina’s leadership has positioned S-Cubed as a model for integrating career technical education pathways with satellite technology. Kristina’s dedication and visionary approach have made a lasting impact, advancing education and securing a diverse, innovative workforce for the future of space exploration. This is an exciting time to work in the satellite and space industry and Kristina is leading the way. — Rena Anderson

Helen Reynolds, Account Manager, Radical Moves

Helen has been pivotal in organising industry events to drive forward initiatives surrounding RFI and spectrum. She identifies key trends and challenges, nailing down important matters whilst appealing to a broad audience, resulting in audience growth. She has led campaigns to deliver value to products, positively and proactively engaging with challenges. At Radical Moves, Helen utilizes her knowledge and network to facilitate intelligent PR and marketing campaigns. Her deep and complex understanding of the industry enables her to develop intricate strategies for clients, improving their visibility and reputation. Helen has long been a well-known, well-liked, and respected figure within the industry. — Catrin Jones, Radical Moves

Sophia Roberts, Astrophysics Video Producer, MORI Associates

Sophia Roberts is a passionate storyteller whose exceptional talent for visual media bridges the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding. Her work is critical in making NASA’s groundbreaking missions accessible and inspiring to global audiences, fostering greater appreciation for advancements in space. Through her lens, Sophia brings to life the people, processes and discoveries behind NASA Astrophysics. Her ability to capture the collaborative efforts, technical precision, and human spirit highlights the importance of creative professionals in communicating the significance of space exploration. Sophia’s passion for using media to engage, educate, and inspire shines through in every project she undertakes. — Krista Dawson, MORI Associates

Beth Sant, Senior Components Sales Manager, ETL Systems

Beth Sant is celebrated for her dedication, inclusivity, and commitment to excellence. She consistently goes above and beyond to support her customers and ensure their needs are met with care and precision. Her career journey from a sales operations role to managing the components sales team, showcases her hard work and determination. Beth is known for fostering a collaborative environment, not only within her team but across the broader satellite industry. As an advocate for inclusivity and growth, she builds strong connections that empower her colleagues and industry peers alike. Her innovative approach and people-first mindset make her an indispensable asset to ETL Systems and a respected leader in the satellite community. — Casey Kelby, ETL Systems

Sam Sargent, VP of Business Development in Ground Segment Solutions, RBC Signals

Sam Sargent is the ultimate connector — someone who fosters relationships across disciplines, from engineers to business development to marketers — making everyone feel seen, valued, and essential in the industry. Sam’s generosity with her knowledge and time has been transformative, despite her deep technical and business expertise, she ensures that even those newer to the sector can understand. Beyond her professional contributions, she started a space-focused book club, creating space for connection, conversation, and shared passion outside of conferences — an example of her drive to build community and make this industry more than just business. Sam is a champion for all people to join, thrive, and stay in this industry. — Jen Scholten, Portal Space Systems

Jen Scholten, Head of Marketing and Communications, Portal Space

Jen Scholten is the space industry's hardest-working storyteller, communicator, and all-around hype woman. Jen is an exceptional communicator, ensuring that the organizations she supports and the space industry punch above their weight in reach and impact. She transforms complex technical achievements into compelling narratives that resonate with niche industry insiders, defense customers and broader audiences. Jen’s work extends beyond traditional marketing; she helps people connect with the transformative potential of the space economy. Jen’s contributions ensure the space industry has a strong voice in public discourse and helps shape the global narrative around space innovation. — Ian Vorbach, Portal Space

Billie Sims, Vice President North America Sales & Business Development, Gilat Defense

Billie Sims is an incredible leader who motivates and inspires her team. She leads by example and isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves to get the job done. With clients, she takes a personalized approach to get to know them on a deeper level and make them feel important and remembered. Billie also has a knack for identifying talent on their team and bringing them front and center to showcase their skills. Within a few months, she’d assembled a team uniquely designed to tackle bespoke solutions and implemented programs for the customer where they could consume regular updates and see progress along the way. Billie leaves a lasting impact because of how thoughtful she is with listening to a problem and working toward a solution. — Emily Lalande, Maxar

Angel Smith, Executive Director, SmallSat Alliance

Dr. Angel Smith's leadership has been transformative in shaping the future of the space and satellite industry. She has been a constant source of mentorship and guidance, helping navigate the complexities of the industry with her unparalleled expertise. Angel’s insights into the intersection of smallsat technology and cutting-edge advancements like cloud computing, AI/ML, and autonomous systems have greatly influenced our work at the SmallSat Alliance. Her influence has been pivotal in ensuring that small satellites are a critical part of the current space landscape and are positioned as enablers for future innovation. — Benjamin Kron, SmallSat Alliance

Celeste Smith, Flight Software Embedded Systems Engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Celeste’s sharp wit and boundless curiosity make her a joy to collaborate with. I have observed Celeste’s dedication, commitment, and learning as she has progressed in her career, including her journey from software intern to flight software lead for an upcoming lunar mission. I am especially impressed with her ability to transition between software and hardware tasks, coupled with her eagerness to learn and expand her skill set. Celeste also plays a significant role in outreach programs, promoting STEM to underserved and underrepresented communities. It’s an honor to mentor her, knowing that she will pay it forward tenfold. — Jonathan Tan, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Janice Starzyk, Deputy Director, Office of Space Commerce

Janice Starzyk has been instrumental in advancing the commercial space industry across all sectors, especially through her years of working several small and large space launch companies. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with her for the past year at the Office of Space Commerce, where she has been key to the success of what I affectionately call a startup within government — navigating bureaucratic hurdles, expanding the office, supporting commercial space advocacy, and launching a global space traffic coordination system. Her guidance and mentorship have helped me realize the potential for my career, as she has done so for so many young professionals in the space community. — Christine Joseph, Office of Space Commerce

Dr. Jennifer Stone, CTO, River Advisers

Jennifer won the River Advisers inaugural space school scholarship 25 years ago, demonstrating tenacity, initiative, curiosity, and imagination from a very young age. Her academic journey includes expertise in astrophysical fluid dynamics and plasma physics. As she transitioned from academia to industry, her career came full circle as CTO at River Advisers. Now Jennifer expertly guides clients as they navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and continues to advance new technologies to market. Jennifer now leads the scholarship program she participated in as a student all those years ago — inspiring and empowering the next generation to kickstart a career in STEM and serving as an inspirational role model for those looking to follow in her footsteps. — Katherine Gizinski, River Advisers

Katie Todd, Director of Technical Program Management, BlackSky

Katie Todd serves as a beacon of system-wide knowledge and understanding. She deftly handles a wide array of both strategic and tactical processes to ensure that the satellites are sourced, built to spec, licensed with a myriad of various government agencies, launched safely, and have secure ground stations. Katie leads a technical team of more than 80 other engineers to develop well documented processes and execute plans. Her wealth of institutional knowledge, can-do attitude, and deep appreciation for her teammates is unparalleled. She is inherently reliable in her people-first approach to problem solving and has the unwavering trust of her team to help solve the hard problems that space inevitably involves. — Katelyn Fobes, BlackSky

Shruti Vyas, Head of Programmes of IRIS², SES

Shruti Vyas has been instrumental in advancing and concluding negotiations between the SpaceRise consortium and the European Commission on the EU’s secure connectivity programme IRIS². Representing the consortium, she has demonstrated both deep technological knowledge of space systems, insight into key financial, industrial and commercial aspects of the space market, negotiation skills and flexibility producing consensus results, as well as tenacity in stressful situations. Shruti has exemplified a great potential as a female manager and looks set to influence the satellite business community. — Catherine Kavvada, European Commission

Sarah Walter, VP Of Engineering, York Space Systems

Since joining York Space Systems in 2021, Sarah Walter has been instrumental in transforming our engineering organization into a production-focused, high-performance operation. Under her leadership, York has achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming the second largest provider in the world of satellites to the U.S. government by quantity. These achievements reflect Sarah’s ability to drive innovation, optimize production, and meet the complex demands of government and national security missions. By fostering a culture of technical excellence and accountability, Sarah has built a team capable of delivering on fast-turnaround, complex missions.— Dirk Wallinger

Diane Wewerka, Founder and CEO, Gemini Design

Diane Wewerka brought her engineering expertise and leadership experience from the corporate world to the creation of a dynamic and innovative (woman-owned) small business dedicated to solving complex technical challenges. Diane's impact extends beyond her technical expertise and leadership. Diane has been a mentor to people at all stages of their careers, generously sharing her knowledge, inspiring and encouraging others, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through her involvement in organizations. Working with Diane is an inspiring and rewarding experience, and I deeply admire her dedication, vision, and ability to uplift those around her. — Ryan DaRin, Gemini Design VS