SGAC Welcomes New Team Members!

SGAC is proud to announce the following appointments to our team.

  • Husseinat Etti-Balogun – Executive Secretary
  • Raleigh Wooldridge – Deputy Treasurer
  • Jara Villanueva – STEA Project Group Co-Lead
  • Juliet Hannay – PR and Comms Co-Lead
  • Isabelle Williams – Report Designer 2024

If you are interested in being part of the SGAC Team, you can find the latest vacancies here.

Husseinat Etti-Balogun

Executive Secretary

Husseinat Etti-Balogun is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Space Systems Engineering at Kyushu Institute of Technology. Husseinat has demonstrated a strong commitment the field of Space technology, research, and advocacy for over 5 years. She contributes to two Cube satellite projects in varying capacities, namely the Librecube organisation as the community coordinator and the Leopard satellite project within Kyutech as a member of the On-Board Computer team. In addition to her technical contributions, Husseinat is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences with the community. She believes in the power of open-source collaboration to propel the space industry forward and is thrilled to have been a part of SGAC in multiple ever-increasing capacities since 2017.

Raleigh Wooldridge

Deputy Treasurer

Raleigh Wooldridge is pursuing a dual-degree (MMM) through Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and McCormick School of Engineering, earning an MBA and MS in Design Innovation. This summer, he will be interning at Blue Origin in corporate development. Previously, Raleigh served as a Senior Associate at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, a strategy consulting firm specializing in the global aerospace and defense markets. In his role, he led over 45 projects spanning strategy development, competitive intelligence, and M&A advisory with a specialty in space and dual-use/commercial technologies. Example space-focused strategy engagements include launch, space stations, lunar exploration, and satellite communications. Raleigh earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated through the Engineering Honors Program.

Jara Villanueva

STEA Project Group Co-Lead

Jara is an international geospatial engineer with over a decade of experience working in the space industry’s downstream to upstream segment. She has been involved in various optical and hyperspectral earth observation missions, from mission planning to solution development. Passionate about making space technology accessible to everyone, she has worked with numerous emerging spacefaring nations worldwide to apply Earth Observation and GNSS technology for societal benefits. Currently, she is the head of the service consulting unit as a remote sensing specialist lead in Axelspace. She is also an international consultant for UN FAO, focusing on utilizing space technology for agriculture and food security. She was previously a part of the SGAC Disaster Management working group to promote the use of space data for disaster risk management and is currently involved in another global non-profit organization, Women+in Geospatial, as a public outreach and communications co-lead under their Mentorship program to support women in the geospatial industry.

Juliet Hannay

PR and Comms Co-Lead

Juliet Hannay is an accomplished science communicator with a Master of Science in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Glasgow. Currently serving as a Social Media Editor at the European Space Agency (ESA), Juliet crafts engaging content to bolster ESA’s digital presence and strategic communication goals. She has a rich background in science communication, having held roles such as Communication Officer at the Institute of Physics Publishing and Science Communication Intern at the European Southern Observatory. Her leadership roles, such as President of the Women in STEM (WiSTEM) society, showcase her dedication to fostering inclusivity and inspiring future generations in the STEM fields. Juliet has also been a proactive mentor and educator, teaching coding at Girls Who Code and leading science workshops for young students. With memberships in esteemed organisations like the Institute of Physics and the Association of British Science Writers, Juliet continues to contribute to the scientific community through her communication skills and passion for making science accessible to all.

Isabelle Williams

Report Designer 2024

Isabelle Williams is an undergraduate Law with French student, finalising her degree in Scotland, UK. She has amassed a range of legal work experience, from local law firms to the UK Government. During her time at university, she received the Scrymgeour Quaich for achieving top marks in her first year exams, served as class representative for two consecutive years, and completed her Erasmus year in Leiden, Netherlands. This past academic year, Isabelle was appointed as a University ambassador and gained a place on her Law School’s mentoring programme. Isabelle is enthusiastic about broadening her expertise in space law and hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in the subject. Her thesis focusses on how the UK may improve its regulations relating to the satellite market, while accounting for various commercial and environmental interests. Since joining the SGAC this year, Isabelle has served as a delegate at the recent E-SGW in Munich, and has become a new member of the Space, Safety, and Sustainability Project Group. Isabelle is thrilled to join the reports team and looks forward to her future with the SGAC.