SGFF 2025 Organizing Team Members
The 2025 Space Generation Fusion Forum is organized by an inspiring team of SGAC volunteers!
Meet the devoted team that is responsible for bringing this epic event to life!
2025 Managers
SGFF 2025 Manager
Danielle Bierman (She/Her): Northrop Grumman
Danielle is a Systems Engineering Manager at Northrop Grumman. Her background includes roles in spacecraft system level integration and test, launch systems integration, program management, and affordability. She is passionate about bringing diverse perspectives together to solve the industry’s toughest problems. Danielle has been a SGFF Delegate, a SGFF Organizing Team member, the 2024 SGFF Deputy Manager, and is now serving as the SGFF 2025 Manager. She believes SGFF is the perfect avenue to inspire the next generation of leaders in our space ecosystem, and is extremely excited to bring you the best SGFF yet!
SGFF 2025 Deputy Manager
Rebecca Sutton (She/Her): Rocket Lab
2025 Communications Team
Anisa Qureshi (She/Her): Boston University / SGAC
Currently, studying Robotics at Boston University, having completed a master’s in Space Studies from the International Space University and worked a few years in tech. Interests include calisthenics, making space videos and cooking!
Brenden Swanik (He/Him): Voyager Space | Chasing Space
Brenden Swanik is the Founder and Host of the Chasing Space Podcast, which was created to explore the newest technology and fascinating individuals in the world’s next trillion-dollar space economy. Brenden also serves as a Mission Manager at Voyager Space, where he oversees oversee satellite development, integration, and launch operations for both rideshare and ISS Missions. With his desire to create open dialogue about space, he has spoken on multiple panels, most recently the 55th Apollo 11 Anniversary Future of Space Panel.
Esther Deena (She/Her): Equity Space Alliance
Esther transitioned serendipitously into the space industry after beginning her career in raw materials and industrial equipment and has spent the last 5 years contributing to various launch systems. She specializes in material systems for extreme thermal environments having worked on systems with cryogenic and extreme high temperature applications. Most recently she worked to advance the technology development and commercial growth of Radian Aerospace. She is now providing business development and technical expertise to Equity Space Alliance as their HBCU Programs Manager in the pursuit of increasing the involvement of underrepresented and underserved communities within the space and defense industries.
2025 Programs Team
Alex Drozda (He/Him): Cislune Inc.
Alex Drozda is currently a Mechanical Engineering Consultant with Cislune Inc, where he is involved with the design of novel ISRU systems for lunar development, project management, and engaging with potential partners for future programs. Off hours, he’s interested in law and policy, playing music, and swing dancing. Alex has been involved with SGAC in various capacities since 2017.
Amelia Batcha (She/Her): NASA Johnson Space Center
Amelia serves as the Project Manager for the NASA Docking System Block 2, the system enabling spacecraft docking for the Orion and Gateway vehicles in support of NASA’s Artemis Missions. Previously, she was the Executive Officer to the Associate Administrator of Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters. Amelia began her career as a trajectory design engineer, specializing in flight mechanics and mission design. She holds a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University.
Christine Dubbert (She/Her): Bryce Tech
Christine is a senior program manager at BryceTech. She has 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry, recently completing her MBA at the University of Cambridge. With her engineering background, she supported various programs at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for five years before moving to the private sector to lead a $100m satellite production program. In her spare time, Christine volunteers as the NCAC Regional Coordinator within the Space Generation Advisory Council, and the Keynotes Lead with AIAA Houston.
Gidon Gautel (He/Him): Boston University
Gidon Gautel is an MS Electrical and Computer Engineering student and Fulbright Scholar at Boston University. He previously served as a Project Manager and Analyst at BryceTech, where he led analyses on space business, technology, and policy. An enthusiastic analogue astronaut, Gidon commanded Space Health Research’s 2023 Meili-I Mission and is currently training as Commander for ICEE.Space’s upcoming 2025 CHILL-ICE III Mission. He is dedicated to advancing human and robotic exploration, with a focus on space-based industrial development, and previously co-chaired the Moon Village Association’s Lunar Commerce Working Group.
Kevin Okseniuk: SpaceWorks
Kevin Okseniuk is a program manager at SpaceWorks, leading the development of multiple technologies aimed at growing a robust space economy through in-space servicing, assembly, manufacturing, and logistics. Prior to SpaceWorks, Kevin supported dozens of launches at SpaceX, helped mature propulsion technologies at Momentus, and managed a student satellite program at Georgia Tech. Kevin earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, along with a minor in Engineering & Business, at Georgia Tech, as well as an M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics as a Knight Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University.
2025 Delegates Team
Alden Findley (He/Him)
Alden Findley is a double ‘Cane from the University of Miami. During his undergraduate studies, he studied international relations and geography focusing on public health and national security topics. More recently, in his graduate program, he focused on space policy working with several Washington D.C.-based groups to include Space Foundation, Satellite Industry Association, and Velos Consulting. Alden also was a part of the University of Miami RocketCanes team that competes annually in NASA’s Student Launch program. This will be his 3rd Space Symposium and 2nd SGFF attendance. Engaging with new members of the space community is a point of passion for him.
Katie Guhl: KBR / NASA Johnson Space Center
Katie attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanics with a Minor in Mathematics. Ms. Guhl is currently a Human Systems Integrator for KBR working on the Human Health and Performance Contract (HHPC) supporting the Moon to Mars (M2M) Chief Health and Performance Officers (CHPOs). Katie received the 2023 NASA Exploration Scholarship to attend the SGC and IAC in Baku and was selected as a delegate for the 2024 SGFF. She is currently continuing her education at Texas A&M University where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Engineering Management.
Linus Anari (He/Him): University of Nairobi
Linus Anari, a 5th-year Geospatial Engineering student at the University of Nairobi and Chairperson of the Geospatial Engineering Students’ Association, is passionate about leveraging geospatial technology for sustainable development and space exploration. He focuses on utilizing Earth observation data to tackle global challenges and advance SDGs particularly SDG 13 and 14. Linus has participated in NASA’s Pale Blue Dot Challenge, completed the U.S. Space Camp, and leads initiatives like the Coral Rescue Campaign. He also serves as an SGAC Delegate Team member for SGFF 2025.
Willca Villafana (He/Him): Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Willca Villafana, a Research Computational Associate at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, specializes in developing open-source software for low-temperature plasma modeling, with applications in industry and space propulsion. Holding advanced degrees in plasma physics, he bridges research and practical use, collaborating globally. Passionate about deep-space exploration, he values cross-sector collaboration, including policy and business. SGFF 2025 will mark his second year as part of the organizing team, where he eagerly anticipates engaging with the space community and contributing to the event’s success.
2025 Logistics Team
Andrew Steen (He/Him): BlackSky
Andrew is a seasoned satellite operations engineer managing a small LEO constellation. Originally from New Jersey and now living in Seattle, he has varied interests and is dedicated to developing expertise in international space policy and the geopolitics shaping the industry. Beyond space and aerospace, his passions include travel, playing and listening to music, exploring men’s fashion, and diving deep into history.
Darren Charrier: KSAT Inc.
Darren is a Business Development Manager at KSAT, shaping communication infrastructure for lunar exploration by onboarding customers to KSAT’s commercial lunar network. His career spans roles at Hedron and the Swedish Space Corporation, supporting satellite data relay and lunar missions. His propulsion engineering work at SpaceX and Moon Express advanced rocket engines for lunar and Martian missions. A UC San Diego Aerospace Engineering graduate, Darren led SEDS UCSD, achieving the first successful student-built rocket with a 3D printed engine, earning recognition as a 2018 Mars Generation 24 Under 24.
Fay Ghani (She/Her): Mayo Clinic
Fay is a medical researcher at Mayo Clinic’s Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics in Florida, USA. Throughout her education and early career, she has received scholarships from the University of Auckland, Te Punaha Atea Space Institute, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Northrop Grumman, Space Generation Advisory Council, and Alberta Government. In 2024, she received the Emerging Space Leader award from the International Astronautical Federation, representing New Zealand. She hopes that her research studying stem cells in space can help develop regenerative medicine therapies for astronauts and patients on Earth.
Samuel Kurtin (He/Him): NASA Johnson Space Center / Aegis Aerospace
Samuel Kurtin is a Biomedical Engineer at the NASA Neuroscience Laboratory in Houston, Texas. At NASA, Samuel supports experiments testing astronauts to buy down risks and develop countermeasures for effective and safe space vehicle manual control and emergency egress. Previously, he worked full-time as a satellite operator at Lockheed Martin Space in Colorado. Samuel holds a Master of Science in Aerospace with a focus in Bioastronautics from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace from the University of Texas at Austin. In his free time, Samuel enjoys trail running, biking, climbing, and snowboarding.
