Dr. John Wensveen is the President of the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France, leading the premier global institution dedicated to space education, innovation, and international collaboration. Under his leadership, ISU is expanding its role as a catalyst for groundbreaking research and strategic partnerships that shape the future of space exploration.

Prior to ISU, John served as Chief Innovation Officer at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), where he spearheaded a multimillion-dollar innovation hub that attracted top entrepreneurs, cutting-edge technologies, and major investments. He has held leadership roles in academia, including Vice Provost at Miami Dade College, Professor and Head of the School of Aviation at Purdue University, and Dean of Aviation at Dowling College.

John’s industry expertise spans aviation, aerospace, and business strategy, with executive roles at Mango Aviation Partners, Radixx International, MAXjet Airways, and Canada 3000 Airlines. He is a TEDx speaker, media contributor, and author of two leading industry books, including the best-seller Air Transportation: A Global Management Perspective.

John holds a Ph.D. and master’s degrees from Cardiff University (UK) and a B.A. from the University of Victoria (Canada).

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.

Veronica La Regina has a distinguished career, prominently influencing the space industry through leadership roles in strategy, innovation, and business development

As Space Mentor, she advises companies, emerging space agencies and investors on market positioning, licensing, and commercialization in the global space ecosystem. She has previously held senior roles at the European Space Agency, Italian Space Agency, and Nanoracks Europe, and has advised governments and financial institutions on emerging space programs.

Veronica is a Full Member of the International Academy of Astronautics, and lectures at international universities including the International Space University and Hangzhou International Innovation Institute.

She holds degrees in Law, Economics, Ergonomics, Systems Engineering, and Space Policy, and has received several awards including the Comitato Leonardo Award (2025) and Business Resilience Award (2022). Fluent in multiple languages, she actively promotes global cooperation for a sustainable and inclusive space economy.

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.

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.

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. 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.

‍

Jeffrey Manber is recognized as a leading pioneer in the international commercial space community. Currently, he serves as the Senior Representative to the Chairman of Voyager Technologies. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Nanoracks (since acquired by Voyager.) Jeffrey also leads the Voyager Science Park initiative, VISTA.

Jeffrey is the Co-Founder of Nanoracks. He served as the Chief Executive Officer from 2009 until 2021 where he broke barriers for access to space and oversaw the growth of the company into the largest commercial user of the ISS.

As the only American to ever work officially for the Russian space program, Mr. Manber served as Managing Director of Energia USA, the American arm of RSC Energia. As CEO of the Dutch company MirCorp, he leased the Russian space station “Mir” and oversaw the first ever commercially funded70-day crewed mission. His experience developing the business base for Mir and the International Space Station, helping pave the way for thriving LEO market economy.

Jeffrey is the author of five books and the recipient of numerous industry awards. In 2023, Jeffrey was awarded NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Public Achievement Medal. Most recently he was inducted into the IAF International Hall of Fame.