Charles F. Bolden Jr. charted a pioneering career in the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  He flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and orbited the Earth on four separate occasions as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot and commander. In 2009, President Barack Obama asked Bolden to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA. He was the first African American confirmed by the US Senate to take on the role, a precedent that Bolden insists is only important if he is one day followed by women or persons of color.  With a focus on the future, he tells his audiences that he is just an ordinary person who has been blessed with opportunities to do extraordinary things as he challenges them to consider what can be accomplished when people dream big dreams together.

Chris Quilty beganshaping the space sector more than two decades ago as a trusted analyst, mediacommentator, and two-time Wall Street Journal “Best on the Street” honoreeduring his tenure at Raymond James. He launched formal coverage of the spaceindustry in the mid-2000s and has since authored thousands of company-specific,macro, and thematic research reports.

Building on deep sectorexpertise and a reputation for sharp, data-driven insight, Chris founded QuiltySpace (formerly Quilty Analytics) in 2016. Today, he’s recognized as a leadingvoice across the entire space ecosystem — spanning manufacturing, launch,satcom, Earth observation, hardware, and downstream analytics. He frequentlyadvises investors, government agencies, prime contractors, and satelliteoperators.

Chris holds a B.S. inSystems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from the Universityof Chicago.

Einat Ben Ari is an experienced data leader, currently serving as the Head of Data at Start-Up Nation Central. With a strong background in statistics, she has built a career focused on leveraging data science and advanced analytics to drive strategic decision-making and generate actionable business insights.

Throughout her career, Einat has held significant roles at several prominent global companies, including PayPal, eBay, and NICE Actimize. Her professional trajectory highlights a consistent focus on leading teams and implementing sophisticated analytical frameworks across diverse industries.

Einat holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Management Engineering, and a master’s degree in Applied Statistics.

Gila Gamliel is Israel's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Gila Gamliel is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for the Likud party, and as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Gamliel is the first woman to serve as the chairperson of The Israeli Student  Union  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  World  Economic Organization.

During her first term in the Knesset starting in 2003, she chaired the committee of the Status of Women, and in March 2005 was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

In April 2009, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Gamliel as Deputy Minister in the  Prime  Minister's  Office,  with  the  portfolio  of  the  Advancement  of  Young  People, Students, and Women.

In 2013, Gamliel was appointed as the Coalition Coordinator of the Finance Committee and was one of the leaders of The Centralization Law.

After  the  elections  of  2015,  Gamliel  was  appointed  Minister  of  Senior  Citizens  in  the  new government. Her ministry was then reconstituted as the Ministry of Social Equality in August 2015.

In  May  2020,  Gamliel  was  appointed  as  the  Minister  of  Environmental  Protection,  and promoted significant programs aimed for dealing with the climate changes.

In 2023, Gamliel served as the Minister of Intelligence, the first woman in the position and a participant in the Security Cabinet of the government.

Since  March  2024,  Gamliel  has  been  serving  as  the  Minister  of  Innovation,  Science  and Technology.

Gamliel is married, has two daughters, and lives in Tel Aviv.

The Right Honourable Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut, engineer and diplomat. She was the Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021.

As an astronaut, Ms. Payette flew two missions in space in 1999 and 2009 for the construction the International Space Station. She holds a commercial pilot license and military wings from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ms. Payette worked as crew liaison officer in Russia and Europe and served many years as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. She was Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007.

After retiring from the Astronaut office, she worked as a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC and later as Director of the Montreal Science Centre.

Ms. Payette has served on the board of several public and non-profit organisations, contributing to the development of public policies in education, high-performance sport, and science and technology. She remains active in aerospace as technical advisor and speaker. She is an Academician and Trustee of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), a Senior Fellow at Massey College of the University of Toronto and President of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE).

Ms. Payette can converse in six languages and has a passion for sports and music. She currently sings with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra choir and during the winter, she volunteers as a ski patrol.

She is a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Kelli Kedis Ogborn is a space economy strategist operating at the intersection of innovation and market formation. She advises organizations navigating the transition from technology development to scalable, market-ready enterprises within complex and capital-intensive environments.

With extensive experience across the U.S. government and private sector, her leadership has influenced the strategic direction of companies entering and scaling within the space market. Her approach integrates technical, policy, and market insight to drive durable competitive advantage, manage risk, and enable sustainable long-term growth within emerging markets.

Kedis Ogborn has held senior leadership roles across aerospace and advanced technology sectors and is a frequently published author and sought-after speaker on the economic and policy forces shaping the global space economy.

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Melody Korman is the Executive Director of the Israel Space Forum, and Space Mission Manager at 'Rakia Mission', leading initiatives that drive innovation and international collaboration to position Israel as a key player in the global space industry. Her work focuses on building partnerships that strengthen Israel’s space ecosystem and contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and education.

Previously, Melody served as Flight Operations Manager for Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe’s 'Rakia' mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

She holds a dual B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Geosciences from Tel Aviv University and an M.A. in Human-Computer Interaction from Reichman University. Melody is also an alumna of the International Space University and a Karman Project Fellow.

Dr. Alon Stopel was appointed as Chief Scientist of innovation in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and Chairman of Israel Innovation Authority  in 2024. 

In 2016 Dr. Alon Stopel was appointed as Elbit Systems’ Corporate Chief Scientist and Vice President. 

From 2007 until his, 2015 he served as a Lt. Col in the IMOD’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development  (DDR&D) as Head of the System Multi-Technology Project and as Head of the Sensors Department in Israel Missile Defense Organization. Prior to that he served in a number of technological and management positions in the DDR&D, which he joined in 2001.

Between 1996-2000 he was an entrepreneur and CEO of a marketing company in the tourist industry and an internet company.

From 1989-1995, Dr. Stopel served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, holding command positions in the Intelligence Corps.

Dr. Stopel holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology -Technion, an MBA from Tel-Aviv University and a PhD in Electrical Engineering – Physical Electronics from the Tel-Aviv University.

André Kuipers is an ESA astronaut and one of Europe’s most experienced spacefarers. Born on October 5, 1958, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he has flown two missions to the International Space Station, spending a total of 204 days in space.

Kuipers holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Amsterdam and began his career in aerospace medicine, specializing in the physiological effects of high acceleration and microgravity. His research focused on human adaptation to spaceflight, equilibrium systems, and pilot health under extreme conditions, work he conducted at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam and the Netherlands Aerospace Medical Centre.

He joined the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Corps in 1999 and completed ESA’s Basic Astronaut Training Programme in 2002. His first space mission, ESA’s DELTA mission in 2004, included a 12-day stay aboard the ISS, during which he conducted more than 20 scientific experiments. His second mission, PromISSe (2011–2012), was a long-duration expedition lasting nearly six months, during which he contributed to approximately 50 experiments and supported critical docking operations, including ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Since returning to Earth, André Kuipers has remained deeply engaged in space outreach, education, and sustainability efforts. He is a passionate advocate for science and technology education and has served as an ambassador for numerous environmental and educational initiatives. In recognition of his contributions, he has received multiple honors, including Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

Avi Berger is a senior leader in Israel’s defense and space establishment, currently serving as Head of the Space Office at the DDR&D within the Israeli Ministry of Defense. He brings over 30 years of experience in DDR&D, military space systems, and operational leadership, with a strong focus on developing, fielding, and sustaining mission-critical space and remote sensing capabilities in support of national security objectives.

Throughout his career, Avi has held key engineering, program management, and command positions across the IDF and IMOD, leading complex defense programs from early R&D through operational deployment. His roles include senior leadership of the PALANTIR satellite ground segment, command of the IGA Space Center, and executive responsibilities within the Space Program Office, where he drove integration between intelligence, operational users, and the defense industry.

Avi holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, an MBA from Bar-Ilan University, and a Computer Science for Engineers certification from the Technion. He is recognized for combining deep technical expertise with operational insight and strategic leadership, enabling the advancement of sovereign space capabilities and international defense-space cooperation

Charles F. Bolden Jr. charted a pioneering career in the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  He flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and orbited the Earth on four separate occasions as a NASA Space Shuttle pilot and commander. In 2009, President Barack Obama asked Bolden to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA. He was the first African American confirmed by the US Senate to take on the role, a precedent that Bolden insists is only important if he is one day followed by women or persons of color.  With a focus on the future, he tells his audiences that he is just an ordinary person who has been blessed with opportunities to do extraordinary things as he challenges them to consider what can be accomplished when people dream big dreams together.

InApril 2022, Eytan Stibbe participated in the historic Ax-1 mission to theInternational Space Station alongside Michael López-Alegría, Larry Connor, andMark Pathy. In preparation for the mission, he initiated the Rakia Mission, acollaborative effort between Israel’s public and private sectors—includingeducators, students, scientists, and artists—with the vision that space is forall. Rakia was the first space mission to incorporate impact measurement acrossall its activities.

Followinghis return, Eytan established Rakia as a public benefit company dedicated toadvancing Israel’s space sector through international and local partnerships,with a particular focus on human spaceflight.

Withover 30 years of experience in impact investment, Eytan is a founding partnerat Vital Capital, an investment firm active in developing countries. His workspans sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and communitydevelopment, guided by the principles of humanitarian impact and financialsustainability.

In2025, Eytan was appointed Chancellor of the International Space University,recognized for his contributions as an astronaut, entrepreneur, and advocatefor space accessibility.

Helives in Israel, is a member of the World Economic Forum, and serves on theboards of several universities and NGOs. He continues to support the mission ofthe Israel Space Forum and the growth of Israel’s space ecosystem.

ANASA veteran who flew on all three Space Shuttles, Garrett Reisman was selected by NASA as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998. His first mission in 2008was aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour which dropped him off for a 95 day stay aboard the International Space Station after which he returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. His second mission in 2010 was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During these missions, Garrett performed 3 space walks, operated the Space Station Robot Arm and was a flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle.  Not only was he an astronaut, but Garrett was also an aquanaut serving as a crew member on NEEMO V, living on the bottom of the sea in the Aquarius deep underwater habitat for 2 weeks.

After leaving NASA in early 2011, he joined SpaceX where he served in multiple capacities, most recently as the Director of Space Operations. 

Garrett stepped down from his full-time position at SpaceX in May of 2018 and in June 2018 he became a Professor of Astronautical Engineering in the Viterbi School at USC.  He continued to support SpaceX as a Senior Advisor until 2024. Today Garrett continues to contribute to the commercial space sector by working as an Astronaut Advisor at VAST.

Garrett attended the University of Pennsylvania and Caltech where he received his Ph.D in 1997.

Inbal is currently Head of Innovation at the Systems, Missiles and Space Division of the Israeli Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Chairwoman of RAKIA, Scientific and Technological Mission to the International Space Station.

Since 2013, she has been Deputy Director of the Space Division at IAI,leading the development, construction, launch and operation of observation andcommunication satellites for both Israeli and foreign users.

She led the IAI team responsible for the design and build of Israel'sfirst lunar lander, Beresheet that held the country spellbound on itsawe-inspiring voyage to the moon in April 2019. 

Throughout her career she has held leadership positions within IAI, including chief engineer of Israel's Arrow 2 anti- ballistic missile defense system (2000-2006) and project manager of the Arrow 3 exo-atmospheric interceptor (2007-2013).

Her leadership in Defense Development & Innovation has contributed significantly to Israel's deterrence abilities, and capacity to respond to evolving security challenges.

The Right Honourable Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut, engineer and diplomat. She was the Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021.

As an astronaut, Ms. Payette flew two missions in space in 1999 and 2009 for the construction the International Space Station. She holds a commercial pilot license and military wings from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ms. Payette worked as crew liaison officer in Russia and Europe and served many years as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. She was Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007.

After retiring from the Astronaut office, she worked as a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC and later as Director of the Montreal Science Centre.

Ms. Payette has served on the board of several public and non-profit organisations, contributing to the development of public policies in education, high-performance sport, and science and technology. She remains active in aerospace as technical advisor and speaker. She is an Academician and Trustee of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), a Senior Fellow at Massey College of the University of Toronto and President of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE).

Ms. Payette can converse in six languages and has a passion for sports and music. She currently sings with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra choir and during the winter, she volunteers as a ski patrol.

She is a Knight of the National Order of Quebec and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Mark Pathy is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist as well as a Mission Specialist on Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission. Pathy is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Montreal-based MAVRIK, a privately-owned investment and financing company he founded that focuses on innovation and social impact. As a strong believer in the importance of philanthropy, Pathy is a member of the boards and Executive Committees of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Dans La Rue and the Pathy Family Foundation.

Prior to founding MAVRIK, Pathy was President and CEO of Fednav International Ltd., an international dry-bulk shipping company, and co-CEO of its parent company Fednav Limited. He remains a member of the group’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Pathy is the Chairman of the Board of publicly traded leading music, media, and technology company Stingray Group Inc., a position he has held since November 2017 after initially joining the Board in 2015.

Through the Ax-1 mission, Pathy will become Canada’s 2nd private astronaut and the 12th Canadian to go to space. Pathy obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Business Administration from INSEAD. He continues to reside in Canada with his wife and three children.

Michael López-Alegría is a decorated astronaut who returned to low-Earth orbit for the sixth time in 2024 as commander of Axiom Mission 3. He also commanded Axiom Space’s first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in2022.

He has more than 40 years of aviation & space experience with the U.S. Navy &NASA in a variety of roles including Naval Aviator, engineering test pilot& program manager, NASA astronaut, & International Space Station commander. He also holds NASA records for most extravehicular activities or ”spacewalks” (10). He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in2021.

He earned a B.S. in systems engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy & an M.S. in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Simon Peter “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is the Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Dr. Worden was Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center until retiring on March 31, 2015. He held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers. On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, UK, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives. At the press conference, Dr. Worden was introduced as the Chairman for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In this capacity he also leads the Breakthrough Initiatives as its Executive Director. From 2017 to the present, Brigadier General Worden has been an Advisor to the Luxembourg Space Agency and was appointed as a Knight-Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2018 for his space services.

Randy “Komrade” Bresnik was selected as an astronaut in 2004. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1989.  During his military career, he attended the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI) and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). After attending U.S. Naval Test Pilot’s School he became an F/A-18 Test Pilot and was eventually deployed to  Kuwait to fly combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A veteran of Space Shuttle mission STS-129, he has also trained as a  Cave-a-naut with the European Space Agency to test living deep beneath the Earth’s surface as well as an Aqua-naut for NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) 19.  In space, Bresnik most recently served  as the Commander of the International Space Station for Expedition 53 and  flight engineer for Expedition 52. He has more than 32 hours of Spacewalk experience over the course of 5 EVAs. A retired Colonel in  the United States Marine Corps, he has logged more than 7,000 hours in 91 types of aircraft/rotorcraft/gliders and an additional 3,600 hours in spacecraft. He is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).Currently, he serves as the Assistant-to-the-Chief of  the Astronaut Office for Exploration managing the development and testing of everything that will operate beyond low earth orbit on Artemis missions.

Dr. Sian Leo Proctor is a visionary poet, artist, explorer, and geoscience educator. In 2021, Dr. Proctor made history as the first artist selected to go to space on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She is the first woman commercial spaceship pilot and the only African-American woman to be a mission pilot. Her motto is Space2inspire and her mission is to bridge the gap between art and science by encouraging everyone to let their EarthLight shine. She is an international speaker and the 2024-25 U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space. Her SpaceX Inspiration4 spacesuit is currently on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

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Yifat Oron is a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone and head of the firm’s office in Israel. Prior to joining Blackstone, Yifat Oron founded and was the CEO of LeumiTech, a leading Israeli technology banking platform, and also spent a decade as a Partner at Vertex Venture Capital investing in technology companies.

Ms. Oron was a technologyinvestment banking associate at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. Previously, she spent three years at the Directorate of R&D of the IsraeliMinistry of Defense (MAFAAT).

Ms. Oron serves as the Chairperson of The Friends of Tel Aviv University, sits on the board of The Israel Innovation Authority (IATI) as well as Sheba Impact. She holds an M.B.A. from Tel-Aviv University and a B.Sc. from the Technion.

Amir Blachman is President of Outpost, a dual-use space logistics company enabling precision, reusable return from orbit for defense and commercial customers. Previously, he was employee #1 and Chief Business Officer at Axiom Space, where he helped send 16 astronauts to build the world’s first commercial space station program. He brings over two decades of investment, aerospace, and operational experience, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.

Christian Maender is a seasoned commercial space executive with over 25 years of leadership in human spaceflight, specializing in business strategy, commercialization, and in-space services.  He has established his new company, Innovian Space, which is focused on building new in-space enterprises, leveraging his expertise to drive the next generation of space commercialization.  

As a founding executive at Axiom Space, he played a pivotal role in scaling the company from a startup to an industry leader, with Axiom securing over $2.2 billion in customer contracts and raising $500 million in investment.  At Axiom, Christian led the development of new market frameworks for commercial space stations while pioneering international government partnerships for private astronaut missions. His work in in-space manufacturing and research enabled the launch of over 100 customer projects to low Earth orbit, advancing novel applications in microgravity. Previously, at NASA, he spearheaded initiatives to expand ISS commercialization, optimize research utilization, and enhance international collaboration.

Emma serves as a key gateway for foreign investors seeking to navigate and capitalize on the Israeli tech ecosystem. In her role, Emma leverages her extensive connections and insights to provide in-vestors with a comprehensive understanding of the local landscape, enabling them to identify op-portunities tailored to their specific areas of interest. Through personalized deal flow and strategic matchmaking, Emma fosters partnerships between foreign investors and the robust local investor community, ensuring mutually beneficial collaborations that drive growth and innovation.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing communications and management, Emma has honed her expertise in the high-tech sector, particularly within startups and corporations over the past 15 years. Originally from France, she holds a B.A. in political science and Middle East history from Tel Aviv University and is an alumna of the 2021 executive course of the International Space University.

Filip Kocian is an investor at Expansion Ventures - a 140M EUR early-stage venture capital fund investing in Aerospace, Space and Defence companies, predominantly in Europe. He spent 7 years in the space industry in a mix of investing, consulting and operating roles. His annual Space Investment Dynamics report is a must-read for space industry executives.

Ili Cohen is a VC investor, an investment banker and a board member, with a focus on space and defense technologies, investing and advising at some of the most prominent transactions in these sectors in Israel.  Ili is a Managing Director at Synergy Capital, an Israel-based M&A and investment advisory firm, as well as a partner at Magma VC (Israel) and Nation1 (EU). Prior to that, Ili served as VP of Corporate Development for some of Israel’s leading technology firms, Comverse Technology (NASDAQ: CMVT) and Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ: GILT). In the past, Ili worked at and advised a number of US and local Fortune 500 firms on corporate M&A and strategy. Ili holds a B.A. in Management and in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from Kellogg School at Northwestern University, with Academic Distinction.

Jodi’s practice focuses on technology and telecommunications, specializing in space, satellite, UAS/C-UAS, and novel technologies before government agencies, as well as B2B commercial contracting and transactions.  She is a trusted advisor and guides clients at all stages on licensing, spectrum allocation, and transactional matters relating to the provision of drone and space-based or -enabled services.

Jodi has extensive experience, both in-house and in private practice, representing clients in regulatory proceedings before U.S. regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Telecommunications and Informational Administration (NTIA),  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as in national security reviews before the “Team Telecom” executive branch agencies and the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).  She also has experience representing clients in proceedings before regulators in foreign markets.  

Jodi works with companies of all sizes to structure, negotiate, and review commercial agreements, with a particular focus on transactions between companies in the space, satellite, UAS/C-UAS, and technology sectors. Jodi’s practice is designed to help her clients efficiently manage their inherently global networks, including  coordinating among internal and external advisors to ensure on-going compliance and seamless cross-border and extra-planetary operations.

Kelli Kedis Ogborn is a space economy strategist operating at the intersection of innovation and market formation. She advises organizations navigating the transition from technology development to scalable, market-ready enterprises within complex and capital-intensive environments.

With extensive experience across the U.S. government and private sector, her leadership has influenced the strategic direction of companies entering and scaling within the space market. Her approach integrates technical, policy, and market insight to drive durable competitive advantage, manage risk, and enable sustainable long-term growth within emerging markets.

Kedis Ogborn has held senior leadership roles across aerospace and advanced technology sectors and is a frequently published author and sought-after speaker on the economic and policy forces shaping the global space economy.

Lior heads the Data Protection, Cyber, and IT practices at EBN, advising global companies, technology firms, financial institutions, and regulated industries on data, privacy, and technology strategy and governance.

His work focuses on privacy laws, cybersecurity, IP, and data monetization, including the implementation and commercialization of AI tools.

Lior also advises companies operating in the space industry on procurement, space ventures, science and studies, and even supports space travel initiatives regarding commercial, regulatory and risks unique to this sector.

Lior supports organizations in implementing technology and new ventures, in building privacy compliance programs, mapping data processing activities, and conducting data protection impact assessments, and regularly advises on data breaches and cyber incidents.

Lisa Vitaris is IAC 2029 Bid Director and Managing Director, Indo-Pacific Region for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and CEO and Founder of Indo-Pacific Space, an advisory and consulting practice created to elevate and accelerate the growth of the Indo-Pacific’s emerging space industry.

Prior to this, Lisa was Interim CEO at Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) and Director, IAC 2025 Sydney which was a huge success with 7,400+ delegates and 19,500+ public, delivering a value of circa AUD$42 million delivered to the New South Wales visitor economy.

Lisa was previously part of the Executive Leadership team and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and at two high growth companies, and her experience spans space, technology, telecommunications, financial services, automotive, and travel including brands such as amaysim (Optus), Tyro, CMC Markets, Hyundai, Tourism Tasmania, Volvo, and LG.

Lisa also serves on the Board of Engineers Australia, Australia’s national engineering body, who champion their 140,000+ members, providing resources, connections, and growth for high-value work in our communities.

In 2024, Lisa was awarded the Engineering Executive (EngExec), a credential that recognises pre-eminent individuals in executive positives who have shown exceptional leadership and talent and presents an opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Australian engineering profession. Lisa also holds two Masters – a Master of Business, International Marketing and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Director (AICD)’s Company Directors Course.

Dr. Lucie Low is the Chief Science Officer for Axiom Space, where she formulates the strategic research priorities for Axiom Space and advises on the design of Axiom Station to support science and commercial innovation. She works with global governments, researchers, and industrial partners to develop and grow commercial space economies, and facilitates the development and successful implementation of Axiom Spaceʼs customersʼ and partnersʼ scientific research portfolios. Dr. Low has 20 years of research experience across academia and government and prior to joining Axiom Space was the Scientific Program Manager for the Tissue Chips for Drug Screening program and the liaison to NASA at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Low received her undergraduate degree from Oxford University in the UK, and holds Masters and PhD degrees in Neuroscience from University College London.

Martina Bruno is an Aerospace engineer with a Master’s in Space Engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin. She is currently AIAA Senior Manager for EMEA region. In the past, she worked for 3 years as Systems Engineering Manager in Voyager Technologies Europe, gaining experience in ISS mission management and team coordination. She has experience in satellite thermal and structural design, gained at Thales Alenia Space Italia. Skilled in aerospace systems analysis, she combines technical expertise with strong problem-solving and leadership abilities. Beyond her professional role, Martina is active in the space community as a Board Member of Women in Aerospace – Turin, promoting innovation, equity, and collaboration in the aerospace sector

Melody Korman is the Executive Director of the Israel Space Forum, and Space Mission Manager at 'Rakia Mission', leading initiatives that drive innovation and international collaboration to position Israel as a key player in the global space industry. Her work focuses on building partnerships that strengthen Israel’s space ecosystem and contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and education.

Previously, Melody served as Flight Operations Manager for Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe’s 'Rakia' mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

She holds a dual B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Geosciences from Tel Aviv University and an M.A. in Human-Computer Interaction from Reichman University. Melody is also an alumna of the International Space University and a Karman Project Fellow.

Ofer Lapid earned both his BSc and MSc in Electronics Systems Engineering from Tel Aviv University. He is an alumnus of the International Space University, a faculty member at ISU, and a member of the ISU Board of Trustees.

With more than 25 years of experience in the space sector, Mr. Lapid has held senior positions in Israel’s National Space Program, including as Chief Technology Officer, with expertise in space mission design, space technology research and development, and international cooperation.

Since 2016, Mr. Lapid has served on the Specialized Panel of Scientific Experts under the Permanent Court of Arbitration's Outer Space Rules and as an expert evaluator for the European Union's Horizon 2020 research program, the Israel Space Agency, and the Israel Innovation Authority.

Additionally, he leads the technological development of ULTRASAT, an astrophysical space observatory developed by the Weizmann Institute of Science in collaboration with DESY Berlin and NASA.

Simon Peter “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is the Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Dr. Worden was Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center until retiring on March 31, 2015. He held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers. On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, UK, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives. At the press conference, Dr. Worden was introduced as the Chairman for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In this capacity he also leads the Breakthrough Initiatives as its Executive Director. From 2017 to the present, Brigadier General Worden has been an Advisor to the Luxembourg Space Agency and was appointed as a Knight-Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2018 for his space services.

Raphael Roettgen is the founding partner of E2MC (Earth-to-Mars Capital, www.e2mc.space), a space-focused early-stage venture capital firm with over 30 space investments globally to date, including several space biotech companies. E2MC also co-founded two space accelerators: KickSky, India’s first space accelerator, and the Orbital Edge accelerator in the U.S. (in partnership with ISS National Lab).

Raphael is also co-founder and acting CEO of Prometheus Life Technologies, a Swiss space biotech startup focused on organoids.

He lectures on space entrepreneurship and investing at universities including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), International Space University (ISU), and Nova Business School. Raphael hosts the popular Space Business Podcast, and is the author of “To Infinity”, an introductory book on the space economy.

Previously, he held senior roles at global investment banks and hedge funds.

He holds degrees in finance and psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, machine learning from PUC-Rio and space studies from the International Space University, where he also serves as adjunct faculty and a governing member.

With a BA in Business Administration and vast experience in tech collaboration, Ron leads the Space Sector, identifying growth opportunities within the space industry.

He focuses on building senior global networks and helping Israeli Space-Tech companies navigate unique operational and strategic challenges.

Roy Zipris is the co-founder of Marvel Capital Group,

Marvel focuses on solving critical problems using Space and Next Gen Compute deep technologies.

Shai Efrat is the Head of the DefenseTech & Space Sector at the Israel Export Institute, supporting Israeli companies in global market expansion and international engagement. Her work focuses on business development, international market entry, and collaboration across defense and space ecosystems.

Previously, Shai managed international projects in environmental sectors, with responsibility for activities across Latin America. She brings strong capabilities in international project management, stakeholder coordination, and cross-border execution. Shai holds a BA and MA in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Simon’s dream is to build a future where thousands of humans live and work beyond Earth. As Founder of Sodalis he collaborates with governments, commercial space operators and individuals to facilitate access to space, driven by the belief that nobody should go to space alone. 

 A leader in space business development, Simon spent five years at Axiom Space, where he spearheaded go-to-market strategies for their private astronaut program. He also worked closely with international governments to implement space ecosystem projects and facilitate sovereign access for research and exploration. 

Simon holds a Master of Space Studies from the International Space University and a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Adelaide.  

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Leading large-scale national programs investing in the establishment and upgrading of advanced R&D laboratories for Israeli and international companies and researchers.

As an innovation and strategy leader with over 20 years of experiebc, I create sustainable value by bridging technology, people, and policy.

From leading organizational transformation and innovation programs to managing national R&D investments exceeding 200 million NIS annually,

I connect academia, industry, and government to turn ideas into measurable impact.