Diana Jack is currently the International Government Relations & Strategy Lead at Blue Origin, where she manages the company’s engagement on international policy issues and alignment with the United States’ and partner countries’ space policy goals. She has been with Blue Origin for three years, and previously was a Strategy Senior Manager leading the company’s orbital launch and space mobility strategy. Prior to joining Blue in 2022, Diana was a Senior Manager in Avascent’s space practice, providing management consulting services to traditional and new space companies and governments, including for growth, capture, market, and industrial strategies. She has previously held positions at the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Geneva Center for Security Policy, and the United States Council for International Business, working at the nexus of business and foreign policy. Diana has studied at the George Washington University Space Policy Institute, holds a Master’s in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, and a Bachelor’s summa cum laude in European Studies and German Language from Washington University in St. Louis.
International Government Relations and Strategy Lead, Blue Origin
Stephanie DelPozzo is currently the Strategy Manager for Space Mobility at Blue Origin, where she leads the company’s space mobility and logistics strategy. Prior to joining Blue Origin in 2024, Stephanie was a Senior Associate at Nextfed for three years where she primarily focused on M&A due diligence research and provided support on strategic/growth in the aerospace and defense market. In 2021, she graduated with her Masters in Science and Technology Policy with a focus on Space Policy from George Washington University. During graduate school, she also completed internships at In-Q-Tel, NASA Johnson Space Center, and NASA Ames Research Center. Stephanie started off her space career as an Economic Analyst in the commercial and civil space markets at SpaceWorks Enterprises where she published the Nano/Microsatellite Market Forecast, created independent cost estimates for NASA’s Artemis Program, and assessed the future LEO economy under NASA’s Commercialization of LEO program. She holds Bachelors degrees in Economics and Political Science from Florida State University.
Strategy Manager – Space Mobility, Blue Origin
Amanda Nguyen is the Senior Manager of Space Systems at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).
Prior to joining AIA, Nguyen served as Manager of Government Relations at Space Foundation. In this role, she led outreach efforts with government, industry, and international stakeholders, and managed a range of policy and education initiatives in Washington, D.C.
Previously, Nguyen worked at the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), where she advised on legislative and regulatory policy related to digital assets, ESG disclosures, and senior investor protection.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.
Senior Manager of Space Systems, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).
Caroline Emmert Ellis is the Content Manager for Space at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In this role, she leads content execution and strategy for ASCEND and ASCENDxTexas, as well as organizing the ASCENDANTS program. She works closely with agencies, organizations, and companies of all sizes and specialties to create nuanced and enlightening programming that covers security, policy, technology development, sustainability, economy, and everything in between. Prior to AIAA, she worked at Foreign Policy Magazine, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Virginia Opera. Her varied background has provided invaluable creative inspiration, and her events are known to be as insightful as they are useful, no matter the industry. She received her M.A. in Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California Annenberg School and her B.A. in English with a double minor in Music and Film Studies from James Madison University.
Manager, Space Content, AIAA
Hello! I am Alexis Prather. I am a Project Manager and Intern Advisor on the Space University Relations and Recruitment team. I have been at Northrop since 2019, and although I have been on a couple different teams, TA has been my home. I am a UMBC alumna and in my free time I like to read, try new restaurants, annoy my dog, Kairo, and spend time with my friends and family.
HR Project Manager, Northrop Grumman
Pascal Youssef is a Commercial Associate with Bank of America’s Global Commercial Banking group specializing in Aerospace, Defense and Technology. In her role, Pascal supports four Relationship Managers in delivering holistic financial solutions to clients and prospects. Furthermore, Pascal is responsible for conducting industry and client research ensuring that the client team is fully equipped to give accurate and meaningful advice to clients.
Pascal earned a BS degree in Finance from Rutgers Business School in 2022.
Commercial Associate, Bank of America’s Global Commercial Banking group
Abby Dickes is the Chief Marketing Officer for Voyager Technologies. In this role, she is responsible for building and managing Voyager’s marketing, corporate communications, and brand strategy, and providing leadership and coordination across the Voyager enterprise.
Prior to joining Voyager, Abby was a U.S. Government Marketing & Communications Manager at Maxar Technologies, supporting the civil and national security space infrastructure portfolio. She marketed key technologies, capabilities and programs to critical government customers and supported corporate public relations and event strategy.
She also previously served as the Director of Marketing, Communications and Special Events for Nanoracks LLC, now part of Voyager. While at Nanoracks, a leading provider of commercial space systems and services, she oversaw all corporate communications and marketing campaigns, managed public relations, supported commercial business development efforts and public policy strategy, and directed executive engagements. Abby earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics and a Minor in Astronomy from the University of Maryland, College Park, and currently lives in Washington, DC.
Chief Marketing Officer, Voyager Technologies
Chris Nie works in business development and sales for Sierra Space, a commercial space company that pioneers innovation and the commercialization of space by constructing platforms in space to benefit life on Earth. Prior to joining Sierra, Chris worked at Lockheed Martin, BioServe Space Technologies, and NASA Johnson Space Center. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a specialization in Bioastronautics. Chris remains actively involved in the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Additionally, he is an alumnus of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) and has received several awards for his contributions to the aerospace industry, including being honored as a recipient of the Future Space Leaders grant and previously being named one of Aviation Week’s Twenty20s as a rising leader in Aerospace and Defense.
Business Development and Sales, Sierra Space
Yasmine Almond is the Director of Communications & Public Relations at Advanced Space, leading and executing communication strategy and corporate engagement to enhance the company’s reputation and brand. Her industry experience includes working at leading space companies. At Arianespace, she developed a customer-focused mindset and an international network of industry connections while involved with commercial satellite launch campaigns and high-level corporate engagements across the globe. At Blue Origin, as part of the commercial sales team, she served with a select group that secured the company’s first customers for New Glenn’s payload launch services and New Shepard’s astronaut ticket sales. She also helped establish a novel world-class customer experience program for astronauts and VIP guests at the spaceport in West Texas. Yasmine is passionate about building the next generation of space pioneers and giving back to this special community. She serves as the Executive Director of the Future Space Leaders Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the career development of young space and satellite industry professionals.
Director of Communications & Public Relations, Advanced Space
Victoria Samson is the Chief Director, Space Security and Stability for Secure World Foundation and has over twenty-five years of experience in military space and security issues. Before joining SWF, Ms. Samson served as a Senior Analyst for the Center for Defense Information (CDI), where she leveraged her expertise in missile defense, nuclear reductions, and space security issues to conduct in-depth analysis and media commentary. Prior to her time at CDI, Ms. Samson was the Senior Policy Associate at the Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers, a consortium of arms control groups in the Washington, D.C. area. Before that, she was a researcher at Riverside Research Institute, where she worked on war-gaming scenarios for the Missile Defense Agency’s Directorate of Intelligence.
Ms. Samson holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in political science with a specialization in international relations from UCLA and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Chief Director, Space Security and Stability for the Secure World Foundation
Tristan Prejean is the Associate Director of Business Development at Vast. In his role, Tristan coordinates business partnerships for opportunities on Vast’s Haven-1 space station, including technology development, scientific research, and in-space manufacturing. Prior to joining Vast, Tristan was the Director of Space Operations at Lunasonde (a satellite constellation startup), as well as the Program Manager for satellite deployment at Nanoracks (now Voyager Space). Tristan studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, and now lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and dog.
Associate Director of Business Development
I am incredibly lucky to experience such a varied, impactful career thus far. As an Intelligence Officer, I led operations, global airlift, and ISR collection and analysis for every combatant command. My final role before separating was Cryptologic Assistant Director of Operations for Air Force’s largest flying squadron.
After the Air Force, I began my space industry journey, leading new business growth for a nearly $8 billion line of business at Lockheed Martin Space. After several years at LM, I managed all new business efforts at True Anomaly to improve our national counterspace and rapid space capabilities. I am currently the Business Development and Sales Lead at Advanced Space, a premier space-enabling company specializing in cislunar development and enhancing other domains for a wide variety of customers, including NASA, IARPA, AFRL Space Force, and international partners.
I also achieved a Master’s in Intelligence and MBA to augment my analysis and financial acumen while better serving the incredible teams I have led.
I have non-profit, public, and private Boards of Director experience and constantly volunteer and mentor, to include international organizations like AIAA, WorldDenver, and Denver International Airport, all while mentoring cadets, young officers, and aerospace professionals on their career trajectories. I also enjoy the wine and spirits industries, recently achieving a WSET Level II in Wines and a Level I in spirits.
Business Development and Sales Lead, Advanced Space
Ms. Ashley Peter serves as a Technical Integration Manager for the Moon to Mars, Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) office at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this role, she currently leads Systems Integration and Test trade studies across the Artemis programs and supports the integrated Imagery Team with various activities relating to engineering, outreach, and science & utilization imagery across the Artemis missions. She previously led the Moon to Mars Schedule Analysis Team, where she was responsible for overall schedule integration and schedule management of the Artemis missions. She further led integrated schedule risk analyses across the missions to probabilistically quantify schedule and technical risks at the Moon to Mars level.
Prior to joining NASA, Ms. Peter was a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C. supporting data analytics projects with NASA and the U.S. Navy.
Ms. Peter received a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences (EAPS) and Management Science. She also earned an M.A. from the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, where she conducted research on emerging space nations’ motivations for establishing space agencies. She served as SGAC’s SGx Event Manager in 2024 and was a member of several past SGx Organizing Teams.
Technical Integration Manager for the Moon to Mars, Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I), NASA Headquarters
Nicole Jordan leads Business Development and Strategy for Space Launch programs in the Launch Vehicles Business Unit (BU) of the Launch and Missile Defense Systems (LMDS) Division. With 20 years of experience in Business Development, Strategy and Sales, Jordan is responsible for leading multi-disciplinary teams through development and capture efforts for new products and programs.
Jordan joined Northop Grumman in February 2023 to lead space launch efforts for the company’s Launch Vehicles BU, an industry leader in the design, development, production and launch of orbital and sub-orbital rockets.
Jordan brings 20 years of proven global business development and strategy experience and technical expertise supporting Spaceflight Inc, Flightwave, Spaceinnova and other space companies to Northrop Grumman. She has a solid track record of leading diverse teams, collaborating at all levels throughout the organizations she has worked. In addition, she is the managing director of Silicon Valley Space Business Roundtable, advising dozens of tech and space startups through the fundraising processes.
Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from California Polytechnic State University and a master’s degree in astronautics from the University of Southern California.
Business Development & Strategy, Northrop Grumman Space Systems
Grace is a Commercial Associate for the Global Commercial Banking Group of Bank of America, supporting 4 Relationship Managers for the Aerospace, Defense, and Technology team. Grace works closely with the Relationship Managers and their client teams to help deliver financial services/products and provide consultative advice. In addition, she is responsible for delivering analytical research and developing innovative strategies to support the needs of both clients and prospects.
Grace earned a BS in Business Administration from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Commercial Associate, Bank of America Global Commercial Banking group
Gillian O’Neill is the Senior Analytics and Operations Manager for the Space Systems Line of Business at Airbus U.SA. Space & Defense, Inc.
Prior to taking on this role, she was the Space Systems Program Controller for the company. Her extensive experience at Airbus includes roles in proposal writing, mergers and acquisition support, and policy development. Earlier in her career, Gillian served on the staffs of the Hon. Senator Ernest F. Hollings and the Hon. Representative John M. Spratt, Jr.
Gillian received her bachelor’s degree in Government and International Studies from the University of South Carolina and her master’s degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University and is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration from the University of North Carolina. She resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and two children.
Senior Analytics and Operations Manager, Airbus U.SA. Space & Defense, Inc.
Sean Pounds is the Head of Sourcing and Governance at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., bringing over two decades of experience. He has been a proud and integral member of the Airbus family within the aerospace and defense sectors on two continents. Having double master’s degrees in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, he possesses a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic insight. His passion for the space industry fuels his innovative approach to sourcing and governance, making him a key player in shaping the future of aerospace.
Head of Sourcing and Governance, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.,
Vanessa Lloyd is a communications specialist for NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Office (M2MPO) within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) at NASA Headquarters. In this role, her main focus is the agency’s Artemis campaign and her primary responsibilities center on executive communications.
Before becoming a communications specialist for M2MPO, Vanessa served as a public affairs officer within NASA’s Office of Communications, covering a portfolio of Artemis programs including Gateway, Human Landing System, and Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP). Prior to NASA Headquarters, Vanessa worked at Goddard Space Flight Center as the communications lead for NASA’s Exploration & In-space Services Division (NExIS) in the area of robotic satellite servicing.
Before NASA, Vanessa worked as a senior communications consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton for the Navy’s renewable energy program and the U.S. European Command, and in other communications roles at World Wildlife Fund and the White House’s internship program. Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the College of William and Mary.
CCCCommunications Specialist for NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Office, NASA
