Dr. Mohammed Altamimi, Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), has extensive experience in organizational governance, politics, and competitive economics, and is recognized as a global expert in wireless networks and cloud computing.
Prior to taking on the Governorship at the CST, Dr. Altamimi served the organization as Deputy Governor for Regulation and Competition and acting Deputy Governor for Consumer Protection and Partnership.
A prominent contributor to the international discourse in the field of wireless technology. He has been instrumental in the establishment of a number of specialized research societies in Saudi Arabia, including the Saudi Association for Information Security (Hemaya) where he sits on the board of directors, and his work with the CST has seen him spearhead the preparation of systems, legislation, and regulations in the telecommunications and information technology sector in Saudi Arabia.
Among his many academic achievements, Dr. Altamimi has published several scientific papers in the field of telecommunications engineering and organizational economics. He is the vice president of a research group specializing in wireless networks, next-generation networks, and cloud computing at the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva. He also sits on the board of the Saudi Space Commission and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority.
Dr. Altamimi graduated from Harvard University’s Leadership Development program and holds a Ph.D. in telecommunications and networking from the University of Pittsburgh in the USA, a master’s degree in communications technology and policy from the University of Strathclyde in the UK, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in Saudi Arabia.
H.E. Mohammed Altamimi
Governor, CST
Mr. Mario Maniewicz was elected Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He took office on 1 January 2019.
Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has served in high-level management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Sectors as well as in ITU Regional Offices.
As Director, Mr. Maniewicz is responsible for the management of the Radiocommunication Bureau, which organizes and co-ordinates the work of the Radiocommunication Sector whose aim is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient, and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
Before joining the ITU, Mr. Maniewicz occupied a managerial position in Uruguay’s main telecommunications operator and was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s main University.
Mr. Maniewicz is married and has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Mario Maniewicz
Director, BR, ITU
More information available shortly.
Naif Sheshah
Deputy Governor for Strategy & Digitalisation, CST
Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.
Mr. Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.
Before assuming his role at the TRA, Philip managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement.
Mr. Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr. Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).
From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.
Philip Marnick
General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Bahrain
Carlos Baigorri
President, ANATEL Brazil
Tareq Al Awadhi is the Executive Director Spectrum Affairs Department of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Al Awadhi has 27 years of experience in spectrum management. He is Chairman of Arab Spectrum Management Group (ASMG) and he has been selected as Chairman of ITU World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) 2012. He is also Chairman of Arab Working Group for PP-22 Preparation. He headed a number of ITU Working Groups and meetings and contributed towards ITU resolutions, recommendations and studies. He represented the UAE in ITU, IMO, ICAO, Arab League, GCC Telecom Bureau and a number of other international and regional forums.Tareq Al Awadhi played a pivotal role in establishing Spectrum Affairs Department in the TDRA. He pioneered the modern spectrum management concepts in the region and equipped the UAE with one the most advanced and first of its kind fully automated online spectrum management and frequency planning system. He developed UAE 5G Strategic Plan and Beyond (2020-2025) and the UAE ranked 4th Globally in launching and operating the 5G in 2020. This plan serves as a road map to accelerate the pace of introducing the 5G in the country and work with all partners in using this Technology in all sectors in the country (such as health, education, entertainment, infrastructure, military, security, etc.).
He has long experience in satellite coordination business. Under his supervisor; the UAE Administration managed to register their 11 satellites in the ITU Master Frequency Registration for the purpose of it protection, and around 138 files were opened covering a large number of satellite orbital under UAE name.
Tariq Al Awadhi
Chairman, ASMG
Mishaal Ashemimry is an aerospace engineer, aerospace entrepreneur, commercial pilot, speaker, and influencer. She is the first female aerospace engineer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Ashemimry is a consultant in her field and was a professor at the University of Miami Mechanical and Aerospace Department. Currently, Ashemimry is the Managing Director for the Center for Space Futures, a collaboration between the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Saudi Space Agency (SSA), which is part of the WEF Centers for the 4th Industrial Revolution (C4IR) network. She is also an International Astronautical Federation Vice President for Diversity Initiatives. Previously, she was a special advisor to the CEO of the Saudi Space Agency with a strong focus on developing Saudi’s role in the global space market. Prior to joining the Saudi Space Agency, Ashemimry was a Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Consultant for Northrop Grumman in the US. Moreover, she is living her passion everyday by educating and inspiring others through conferences, webinars, and her social media channels. While based in Miami, Florida, she founded MISHAAL Aerospace at age 26, to pursue her ultimate dream of building rockets. Her company’s objective was to design and build their own rockets to launch small satellites (500 kg) or less to Low Earth Orbit. Previously, she worked for Raytheon Missile Systems’ Aerodynamics Department and contributed to twenty-two different rocket programs. Her professional experience and areas of expertise include aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis and rocket stage-separation analysis, with a strong focus on computational tool development.
She earned a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engi¬neering from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, and two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Aerospace Engineering and in Applied Mathematics, also from Florida Institute of Technology. Her academic focus included: experimental and analyti¬cal aerodynamics, rocket design and nuclear thermal propulsion.
Mishaal Ashemimry
Managing Director, Center for Space Futures
More Information Available Shortly
Gilles Bregant
Director General, ANFR France
As Managing Director of Space Sector of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) , Frank supports the build-up and operation of the Space Programmes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prior of SSC, Frank worked 19 years for the European Space Agency (ESA) as
Head of Innovation and Ventures Office. He also headed the Technology Transfer Programm Office (TTPO) as well as the Commercial Development for Human Spaceflight and Exploration. His ESA team initiated over 370 industry transfers, aided 1,300 start-ups via the ESA BICs and supported over 1,000 downstream business cases.
Before joining ESA, Frank held the position of Founder and CFO / COO for an IT start-up, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Frank also spent seven years at Apple Computer.
Furthermore, he has published myriad papers in esteemed conferences and prestigious journals and supervised many master’s theses and PhD dissertations on spectrum affairs. He was awarded the British Chevening Scholarship from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2007 and was also chosen as one of three finalist candidates for the Professional Achievement Award (UK Graduates) in 2018.
Frank Salzgeber
Acting Deputy Governor for Space Sector,
CST
UNOOSA Director, Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, maintains responsibility for the Office’s management and administration, provides strategic guidance to its work and ensures that it is implemented in accordance with the mandates of the General Assembly, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), and the established policies of the United Nations. She develops the work programme of the Office and ensures the Office’s efficiency, transparency and accountability.
Ms. Holla-Maini serves as the senior advisor to the Secretary-General and represents the SG at meetings and conferences on matters relating to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. She also discharges the Secretary-General’s obligations under the UN treaties and principles on outer space.
Alongside the team in the Office of the Director, Ms. Holla-Maini oversees and coordinates the strategic direction and operational priorities of the Office, including the preparation, monitoring and implementation of the work plan, budget and the strategic framework of the Office.
Aarti Holla-Maini
Director, UNOOSA
More Information Available Shortly
Javier Juaréz Mojica
Acting Chairman, IFT Mexico
Alshahrani is a General Director at the Saudi Space Agency (SSA). Alshahrani is leading the activation plans of space strategies, and the build-up of space programs.
Prior to SSA, Alshahrani worked at ARABSAT as Expert Space Segment Engineer. He has more than 14 years of experience working in the space sector including KACST and Lockheed Martin during which he supported space missions and led the integration of space and ground systems.
Alshahrani holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical & computer engineering.
Muryah Alshahrani
General Director, Space Service Sector, Saudi Space Agency
David Willis has been appointed Group Director, Spectrum, bringing 30 years of technology and telecom experience in government and industry to the role. David joins Ofcom’s Senior Management Team.
He joined Ofcom to oversee its Spectrum Group, which ensures that the UK’s wireless spectrum – a valuable, finite national resource – is used efficiently and effectively.
Most recently David was President of the Communications Research Centre, the Government of Canada’s research centre for advanced wireless telecommunications, spectrum management and helping to improve broadband services for Canadians.
Before this David led the Spectrum Engineering and Planning team at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada. Here his work included international spectrum standards; wireless spectrum engineering and planning; satellite spectrum policy, licensing and coordination; and leading the Canadian delegation at the 2019 World Radio Communication Conference.
David has also held leadership roles in product management, operations and engineering at BlackBerry and Nortel Networks.
David Willis
Group Director for Spectrum, Ofcom UK
Dr Valanathan (Val) Munsami is Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Saudi Space Commission. Prior to this, he was the CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) for five years, ending in February 2022. He was also a member of the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA). Much earlier, Dr Munsami worked in South Africa’s secretariat for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and managed the implementation of a suite of bilateral and multilateral science and technology agreements. He was involved in the development of South Africa’s National Space Strategy, National Space Policy, Multi-Wavelength Astronomy Strategy and the SKA Readiness Strategy for Africa. He chaired the African Union Space Working Group (AUSWG), which was tasked with the development of the African Space Policy and the African Space Strategy; facilitated the development of an Implementation Plan for the African Union Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA); and conceptualized the model for the Pan African Space Science University of the African Union. He is inducted as an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and sits on the Advisory Boards of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and ZASpace Inc. (the Space Industry Forum of South Africa). He is currently the Chancellor of the International Space University (ISU), Strasbourg, France and is Co-founder/Director of the African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI).
Val Munsami
Deputy CEO, Saudi Space Agency
Dr. Mohamed El-Moghazi is the Executive Director of International Spectrum Affairs at the NTRA of Egypt, Chairman of ATU Spectrum Recommendation Task Group, and Councillor of Egypt at the ITU. Dr. Maghazi is holder of B.Sc. in Communications & Electronics Engineering (Cairo University), Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Master Degree in Telecommunications Management; Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methodology for Business, Management, and Engineering (University of Strathclyde); Diploma in Communication Management (University of Colorado).
He is the founder of the Global Telecom Policy Researchers Network (GTPRN), a non-profit initiative for researchers in the field of telecommunications policy. He has recently published the book “The International Radio Regulations”, and the book chapters “Towards a Future- Proof International Spectrum Management Policy”, and “Covid-19 Impact on Spectrum Use and Management”.
He is the author of more than 40 papers in prestigious conferences and journals, moderator and proponent of several panels addressing ITU, and speaker at numerous events and conferences. He has presented more than 50 contributions as representative of ASMG, ATU, and Egypt during the last 20 years in different ITU forums and supervised several Master and PhD theses on ITU related issues.
Throughout his career at NTRA, he has been involved in many activities including national broadband plan, digital switchover, 3G and he has been part of NTRA team that achieved the successful 2 billion$ 4G licenses in 2016. He also developed a customized tool to calculate the spectrum requirement for broadband in Egypt for the next ten years. Currently, he is focusing on 5G deployment in Egypt and 6G vision at the ITU in addition to spectrum management support to the African countries.
Mohammed El-Moghazi
International Spectrum Affairs, Executive Director, National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt
Sharif Abdel-Magid manages SSA’s current and future space operations in and beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) with the goal of making the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a top nation in Space. The Space Operations Sector at SSA operates and maintains exploration systems; develops and operates space transportation systems and supports broad scientific research on orbit. Previously, Sharif Abdel-Magid was a NASA test director in Exploration Ground Systems at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In this role, he is responsible for planning, integrating, scheduling, and conducting operations associated with the functions of the organization. This includes integrated verification and validation, multi-element verification and validation, integrated flight hardware testing, and launch and recovery operations. Before joining NASA in 2018, Abdel-Magid was a test conductor on the Engineering Services Contract for five-plus years, supporting NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Program at Kennedy’s Launch Equipment Test Facility. From Oct. 2007 to Aug. 2012, he served as a senior consultant at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (then Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) as the lead engineer for systems engineering. In 2010, Abdel-Magid earned a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) in Melbourne. He also earned a master’s degree in space systems management from FIT in 2015. In 2016, Abdel-Magid received a Space Flight Awareness Award for pneumatics testing for the SLS mobile launcher. He also earned multiple American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) honors, including a Cape Canaveral Outstanding Member Award, first place in team design in AIAA’s regional competition, and first place in team design at the AIAA International Conference. He organized several successful symposia and lectures (for AIAA) related to the space program with many distinguished speakers including past astronauts such as the Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke and the six-time space shuttle astronaut and physician Story Musgrave. Abdel-Magid is a first-generation Egyptian American. He was born in Delaware county, PA on May 21, 1988 and raised in Montgomery county, PA (both are Philadelphia suburbs), He moved to Florida in 2006 and currently resides in Melbourne, FL. During his years at Hatboro-Horsham High School, Horsham, PA, he was a member of the soccer team a member of the track and field team and a member of the robotics team. He enjoys reading and learning about NASA’s space exploration history, he likes traveling the USA and the world and he is a car enthusiast.
Sharif Abdel-Magif
Vice President Space Operations, Saudi Space Agency
More information available shortly.
Bocar Ba
CEO, Samena Telecommunications Council
Jennifer A. Manner is the Senior Advisor for Space and Satellite Policy at the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), advising on spectrum management issues related to space and satellite communications. Prior to NTIA, she was Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar Corporation and held senior roles at the FCC, MCI/WorldCom, and Skyterra. Jennifer has led several industry and government organizations, including the Global Satellite Operators Association and the Satellite Industry Association, and served as Chair of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee. She has also been a professor of law at Georgetown University Law School, teaching international telecommunications law, and continues to teach at Carnegie Mellon and UC Boulder. An accomplished author, her works include “Spectrum Wars: The Rise of 5G and Beyond” and the upcoming “Spectrum Wars: A New Hope for Connectivity.” She is also a filmmaker, with her latest film, “When Wire Was King: The Transformation of Telecommunications,” available on PBS and streaming platforms. Jennifer holds a B.A. from SUNY Albany, a J.D. cum laude from New York Law School, and an LL.M. with honors from Georgetown University Law School.
Jennifer Manner
Senior Advisor for Space and Satellite Policy, NTIA
More information available shortly.
Cessy Karina
Senior Radiocommunication Engineer, Space Services Department, BR, ITU
More information available shortly.
Konstantinos Masselos
President, EETT Greece
Greg Wyler is a technology entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor who conceived and founded O3B and OneWeb. He holds over 35 patents related to the design, implementation, and use of satellite communications technology. Greg founded O3B Networks, in partnership with Liberty Global, in 2007 with the goal of unlocking MEO orbit to deliver Internet to remote areas without the need for laying fiber. SES, Google, and HSBC became investors in O3B Networks in 2009, which raised over $1.2bn. By 2016, O3B had a firm backlog of $350 million with more than $100 million in current-year revenue, and SES exercised its option to purchase the company. After the success of his first company, Greg moved on to an even more ambitious venture: creating a network of hundreds of LEO satellites to deliver low-latency, high-speed Internet to connect the unconnected around the world. He founded OneWeb in 2012 with investment from Softbank, Bharti, Airbus, Intelsat, Virgin Group, Qualcomm, Hughes, Grupo Salinas, Maxar, and Coca-Cola. He raised over $3.3bn to further OneWeb’s mission to connect all the unconnected schools of the world and provide Internet to fuel economic growth, improve education, social development, advance gender equality and make healthcare more accessible across the globe.
Greg Wyler
CEO & Co-Founder, E-Space
More information available shortly.
Martijn Blanken
CEO, Neo Space Group
More information available shortly.
Samer Halawi
CEO, Zephyr
Jaume Sanpera, founder and CEO at Sateliot, is a serial entrepreneur backed by over 30 years of experience and deep expertise in the telecommunications industry.
During his career, Jaume founded several companies, including the global business group Eurona, a leading satellite operator in Europe.
In 2018, he founded Sateliot the company that is launching commercially the first 5G NTN NB-IoT LEO constellation to offer 100% connectivity everywhere on the planet, providing service to commercial cellular NB-IoT RF modules able to support the newly introduced Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) features as per latest 3GPP Release
Jaume Sanpera
CEO, Sateliot
More information available shortly.
Tracy Trent
CEO, Stellar Blu
Richard Deakin
CEO, Stratospheric Platforms
Since its inception in 2013, Nobu has grown Astroscale from a single person to an international group, established a global footprint in six countries, and raised over USD $383 million.
As a highly respected and influential figure in the space industry, Nobu holds several key positions, including member of the International Academy of Astronautics and Space Generation Advisory Council Advisory Board, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Nobu was the International Astronautical Federation’s Vice President for Space Economy and Sponsorship until 2023 and co-chair of the World Economic Forum Council Global Future Council on Space Technologies until 2021, where he played a key role in developing the concept of a Space Sustainability Rating, a system designed to ensure long-term sustainability by encouraging responsible behavior among countries and companies participating in space.
Since founding Astroscale, Nobu has received numerous awards and accolades, including 2023 IAF’s Excellence in Industry Award (SME), 2022 Prime Minister’s Award, 2022 TIME100 Most Influential Companies, 2021 Satellite Technology of the Year, 2020 SpaceNews Company Leader of the Year, 2020 UNESCO Netexplo Innovation Forum Grand Prix, Forbes JAPAN “Start-up of The Year 2019”, and World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer in 2017.
Prior to Astroscale, Nobu was an IT entrepreneur and strategy consultant, and had managed IT companies in Japan, China, India and Singapore. He led one company to a successful IPO. Before joining the IT industry, he worked for McKinsey & Company and the Japanese Government in the Ministry of Finance.
Nobu earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Tokyo in 1995 and an MBA from the Krannert School of Business, Purdue University in 2001.
Nobu Okada
Founder & CEO, Astroscale
Since its inception in 2013, Nobu has grown Astroscale from a single person to an international group, established a global footprint in six countries, and raised over USD $383 million.
As a highly respected and influential figure in the space industry, Nobu holds several key positions, including member of the International Academy of Astronautics and Space Generation Advisory Council Advisory Board, and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Nobu was the International Astronautical Federation’s Vice President for Space Economy and Sponsorship until 2023 and co-chair of the World Economic Forum Council Global Future Council on Space Technologies until 2021, where he played a key role in developing the concept of a Space Sustainability Rating, a system designed to ensure long-term sustainability by encouraging responsible behavior among countries and companies participating in space.
Since founding Astroscale, Nobu has received numerous awards and accolades, including 2023 IAF’s Excellence in Industry Award (SME), 2022 Prime Minister’s Award, 2022 TIME100 Most Influential Companies, 2021 Satellite Technology of the Year, 2020 SpaceNews Company Leader of the Year, 2020 UNESCO Netexplo Innovation Forum Grand Prix, Forbes JAPAN “Start-up of The Year 2019”, and World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer in 2017.
Prior to Astroscale, Nobu was an IT entrepreneur and strategy consultant, and had managed IT companies in Japan, China, India and Singapore. He led one company to a successful IPO. Before joining the IT industry, he worked for McKinsey & Company and the Japanese Government in the Ministry of Finance.
Nobu earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Tokyo in 1995 and an MBA from the Krannert School of Business, Purdue University in 2001.
Parth Trivedi
CEO & Co-founder, Skylo
Dr. Kam Ghaffarian is a visionary entrepreneur dedicated to creating companies with a mission to advance humanity and expand human knowledge. Dr. Ghaffarian co-founded and serves as Executive Chairman of several deep-tech companies that push the limits of humankind’s capability. Among his ventures are X-energy, an advanced nuclear energy reactor and fuel company; Intuitive Machines, a premier provider of technologies and space exploration services that became the first company to land on the Moon; Axiom Space, building the first commercial space station while being the sole provider of private astronaut missions to the International Space Station; Quantum Space, creating infrastructure for deep space commerce; and PTX, a space engineering and technology firm. He is also the founder and CEO of IBX, an innovation and investment firm that oversees the portfolio of companies he helped create. Dr. Ghaffarian started his entrepreneurial career in 1994 when he founded Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, which he sold in 2018 for $375mm to KBR. He holds multiple degrees, including B.S. degrees in computer science and electronics engineering, an M.Sc. in information technology, and a doctorate in philosophy of technology. Dr. Ghaffarian is an active philanthropist focusing on education, STEM initiatives, and the pursuit of interstellar travel
Kam Ghaffarian
Co-Founder, Executive Chairman, and CEO, Axiom Space
Pacôme Révillon serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Novaspace, based in Paris, France. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the space sector, Pacôme has been instrumental in shaping strategic initiatives and operational excellence. His wealth of experience includes advising high-profile clients, with a specialised focus on satellite broadcasting, communications, and finance.
Pacôme Révillon
CEO, Novaspace
Susmita Mohanty is a serial space entrepreneur and space diplomat. Her latest endeavour launched in October 2021 is India’s first dedicated space think tank called Spaceport SARABHAI (S2). As the Director General, she provides stewardship for S2’s mission and strategy. Armed with perspectives and insights from her rich and multilateral international experiences, she aspires to building broader international consensus and dialogue where space activities of Asia-Pacific nations have an increasingly strategic role to play in the sustainability of space exploration.
Susmita is the only space entrepreneur in the world to have co-founded companies on 3 different continents: EARTH2ORBIT, Bangalore (2009-2021), MOONFRONT, San Francisco (2001-2007) and LIQUIFER Systems Group, Vienna (2004-ongoing). Prior to turning entrepreneur, she worked for the International Space Station Program at Boeing in California and did a short stint at NASA Johnson.
In 2022, when India celebrated 75 years of independence, Susmita was one of 75 women honoured by the Indian government with the Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards. In 2019, she was selected as one of BBC’s 100 Women laureates inspiring and influencing a female-led future. In 2017, she was featured on cover of Fortune Magazine. In 2012, she was voted into Financial Times’ list of “25 Indians to Watch”. Technologies. In 2005, Susmita was honoured on Capitol Hill in Washington DC with the International Achievement Award for promoting international cooperation through her entrepreneurial ventures.
Educated in India, France, and Sweden, Susmita holds multiple degrees including a PhD. She is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Future Council for Space Technologies.
Dr. Susmita Mohanty
Director General, Spaceport SARABHAI
More information available shortly.
Mamun Rashid
Digital Wellbeing (Futurist), Aramco
Dan Goldberg
Chairman, GSOA
Kalpak Gude
Head of Global Regulatory Affairs, Project Kuiper
Mr. Matsumori is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Skydweller Aero. He is a space industry veteran that has had executive leadership roles at SpaceX, Virgin, and Impulse Space. At SpaceX, he was Sr. VP of Sales and Business development and his team was responsible for the rapid growth of SpaceX from 2011 to 2015. He was also the CEO of BridgeComm, a laser communications company where he co-developed a patented design for signal transmission. At Additionally, Mr. Matsumori has a background in communications technology as an early member of Qualcomm along with experience in other telecommunications companies.
Mr. Matsumori has a B.S. in Business from Arizona State University and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona. He is also named in over 20 patents.
Barry Matsumori
President and COO, Skydweller
Jeremy Jurgens is Managing Director & Head of the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He is responsible for the Member and Partner companies essential to the mission of the Forum as the International Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation. His responsibilities include oversight of all industry initiatives, innovation and technology pioneer communities, the Forum’s offices in China, India and Japan as well as the Centre for Cybersecurity. He has served in various functions since 1999 including Chief Information Officer, Chief Representative China, the head of the Annual Meeting in Davos and the architect of the Forum’s Strategic Intelligence Platform.
Prior to joining the Forum, Jeremy Jurgens has worked at Microsoft, Patagonia and the Japanese Ministry of Finance. He holds a Master in Education from Harvard University and a BA in Economics and International Relations, from Claremont McKenna College
Jeremy Jurgens
Managing Director, World Economic Forum
Nadine Allen joined SES as Global Head of Enterprise & Cloud in January 2024.
Prior to SES, Nadine has held a variety of leadership positions in the telecommunications and enterprise sectors for Ericsson and Marconi. In her last position, Nadine was head of Ericsson’s Enterprise Business and Strategy for Southeast Asia, India and Oceania where she was accountable for building growth businesses in the areas of 5G, Private Networks, Cloud, Security and IoT as well as strategy development and execution across the region.
Before that, she was CEO of Ericsson Thailand, Head of Global Customer Unit Telenor group and Head of Enterprise Business in Western Central Europe.
Nadine is a UK national and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Warwick (UK).
Nadine Allen
Global Head of Enterprise and Cloud, SES
Gregory Ewert shapes and executes Intelsat’s global business development strategy across the company’s network, mobility, media and government business units. He is also responsible for the structuring of Intelsat’s strategic roadmap and forging partnerships that will advance the company’s technology and service platforms, particularly for emerging applications such as mobility, cloud, and the companies multi-orbit network strategy.
Mr. Ewert has decades of experience in the mobility sector of telecommunications spanning wireless, fiber and satellite expertise. Before joining Intelsat in 2019, he served as president, Connected Car & Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for Inmarsat. At Inmarsat, he led cross-functional teams responsible for the building of the company’s Connected Car and ITS business as well as the development of long-term strategies and partnerships that would drive the growth of the business. He also served on the Management Committee and was president of the Enterprise Business Unit.
Before joining Inmarsat, Mr. Ewert spent 10 years at Iridium, where he held the position of executive vice president, Sales and Marketing. In that position, he helped establish the foundation from post-bankruptcy through a public offering via the first industry SPAC. He supported, developed, and executed the business plans, product roadmaps, infrastructure investments, channel distribution strategy and partnerships that secured long term operational success.
Before his jump to satellite Mr. Ewert spent over 10 years in the MNO world with Sprint and BCE (Bell Canada).During this time, he was instrumental in establishing Sprint’s first offshore operating company, Sprint International of Canada. This led to the formation of GlobalOne, a joint venture of DT, Orange, and Sprint. Mr. Ewert served on the executive team at GlobalOne overseeing Western Hemisphere operations. At BCE Mr. Ewert held various positions including senior vice president of Data Services, co-chaired the capital committee and held executive positions at their American operating company Teleglobe.
Mr. Ewert earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, in Finance, from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He was the co-Chairman of the Connected Car Association and currently serves on the board of the HAPS Alliance.
Greg Ewert
HAPS Alliance Member and CCO & Managing Director North America, Stratospheric Platforms
Abdulah Aljohani (Senior Member, IEEE) received his B.Sc (Eng.) degree (Hons.) in electronics and communication engineering from King Abdulaziz University, in 2006, and M.Sc. (Distinction) and Ph.D. degrees, in wireless communication from University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., in 2010 and 2016, respectively. He is currently a Research & Innovation Consultant at Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), an Associate Professor with the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, and a research associate at the Center of Excellence in Intelligent Engineering Systems, King Abdulaziz University. His research interests include spectrum management techniques, 6G, Non-Terrestrial Networks, channel coding, cooperative communications, space-time coding, free-space optical communication, and MIMO systems. He has published over 30 articles and has granted 13 U.S. patents. He has won more than 10 research grants and multiple innovation and best paper awards.
Dr. Abdullah Aljohani
Senior R&D Advisor, Neo Space Group
Luciana Camargos is the GSMA’s Head of Spectrum. She directs the GSMA’s range of advocacy issues on public policy relating to spectrum with national governments and multilateral organisations.
Luciana’s career began with Brazilian regulator Anatel where she worked as part of the board advisory team. She joined the GSMA in 2012, where she has continued to be active in shaping the future of mobile services at international fora such as the ITU, CITEL and other multilateral organisations.
She has chaired regulatory groups charged with developing communications regulation at the ITU and in regional organisations. She is an active supporter of the role of women in technology and is a former chair of the ITU’s Network of Women.
Luciana earned an MBA in telecommunications from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Brasilia.
Luciana Camargos
Head of Spectrum, GSMA
Shiro Fukumoto is the Director of Regulatory Development Department at SoftBank Corp., responsible for spectrum-related national regulatory and international standardization activities in ITU-R, APT and 3GPP NTN.
He has more than 15 years in the telecommunications sector addressing regulatory and technology standardization aspects.
Most recently he played a leading role in key discussions and decision over two study periods, WRC-19 and WRC-23, on HAPS at ITU (ITU-R and WRC) and APT for WRC-23 agenda item 1.4, additional identifications of HAPS frequency bands, as an APT coordinator.
He is also working for the vice-Chair of Telecommunications Working Group in HPAS Alliance.
Shiro Fukumoto
Director, Head of Regulatory Development Department, SoftBank Corp
Isabelle Mauro is the Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) that represents the interests of 29 global and regional satellite operators. She reports directly to their Chief Executives.
Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the 5G ecosystem.
Isabelle has 25 years experience in the Telecoms and Technology sector, starting at the GSMA, where she was responsible for government and international Affairs. In 2015 she moved to New York to join the World Economic Forum as Head of Information, Communications and Technology Industries, managing the portfolio for 60+ Tech companies globally and leading initiatives on inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is Chair of the High-Level Advisory Board of the DigitalGoesGreen Foundation. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech and is a member of the UNESCO Advisory Group for the Declaration on Connectivity for Education.
Isabelle holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish.
Isabelle Mauro
Director General, GSOA
Ivan Suarez is a global advisor specialising in satellite and spectrum policy and regulation. He assists companies and governments with their strategy, compliance, licensing and policy needs, covering SatComms and other space-related industries. In recent years, he has worked on a vast number of projects related to policy and regulation for D2D products, satellite broadband internet, and the launch of 5G satellite networks. Ivan is actively involved in several regional groups in preparation for WRC-27, focusing on Latin America and Africa. He contributes to several publications such as ViaSatellite and SpaceNews, covering different areas of the New Space Economy. He holds several Masters Degrees in Telecommunications Law and International Relations.
Ivan Suarez
Director, Regulatory & Policy, Newsky.plus
Jean-Philippe Gillet leads Intelsat’s global sales organization; in addition, he oversees Intelsat’s Media, Mobility and Networks businesses, with responsibilities for developing and executing the company’s global broadband strategy and solutions.
Mr. Gillet previously served as Intelsat’s Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa from 2014 to 2017, as Intelsat’s Vice President of Sales for Europe and the Middle East From 2006 to 2013 and as Intelsat’s Vice President of Media Sales from 2003 to 2006. In these roles, he successfully grew Intelsat’s business with telecommunications service providers and broadcasters, regularly exceeding revenue and backlog targets.
Prior to joining Intelsat in 2003, Mr. Gillet spent five years with Globecast North America (France Telecom Group) as Vice President of International Sales and Director of Sales for Europe, the Middle East and North America. He began his career at France Telecom as a sales and marketing manager.
Mr. Gillet earned a Master of Science degree in information technology from Ecole Superieure de Commerce and a Bachelor’s in computer science at the Ecole Superieure d’Informatique Engineering School, both located in France.
As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructure. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is uniquely positioned to help our customers turn possibilities into reality – transformation happens when businesses, governments, and communities use Intelsat’s next-generation global network and managed services to build their connected future. Learn more at Intelsat.com.
Jean-Phillippe Gillet
Senior Vice President, Media, Mobility ad Networks, Intelsat
Oliver Wick is a technology scout and futurist, who has promoted future technologies and established forward thinking innovation concepts at BMW since 2012.
He began his career as an engineer at Electrolux where he was soon appointed Lead of Electrolux’s Washing Machine Lab. During his time at Electrolux Labs, Oliver successfully led an international team through the application of fuzzy logic into washing machines. Quickly establishing himself as a lead engineer, Oliver then moved to BMW where he focused on E/E development before taking on the role of Technology Scout.
Today, Oliver is recognized for taking a humanistic approach to address the automotive industry’s most pressing challenges. His vision of future technologies has lifted BMW to the forefront of automotive technology through autonomous driving, quantum computing, blockchain technologies and non-terrestrial networks.
He is responsible for the research areas Sensing, Connectivity and Computing.
Oliver received his Diploma from TU Ilmenau where he focused on neural networks through his studies in technical cybernetics and control algorithm.
Oliver Wick
Technology Scouting, Lead Space Tech, BMW Innovation Management
Oliver Wick is a technology scout and futurist, who has promoted future technologies and established forward thinking innovation concepts at BMW since 2012.
He began his career as an engineer at Electrolux where he was soon appointed Lead of Electrolux’s Washing Machine Lab. During his time at Electrolux Labs, Oliver successfully led an international team through the application of fuzzy logic into washing machines. Quickly establishing himself as a lead engineer, Oliver then moved to BMW where he focused on E/E development before taking on the role of Technology Scout.
Today, Oliver is recognized for taking a humanistic approach to address the automotive industry’s most pressing challenges. His vision of future technologies has lifted BMW to the forefront of automotive technology through autonomous driving, quantum computing, blockchain technologies and non-terrestrial networks.
He is responsible for the research areas Sensing, Connectivity and Computing.
Oliver received his Diploma from TU Ilmenau where he focused on neural networks through his studies in technical cybernetics and control algorithm.
Mostafa Al Amer
Aramco
Emmanuel Gratch
Co-Founder and CIO,
World Mobile Group
Gregory is a recognized global expert in the development & operation of Lighter-Than-Air technology and has spent the last two decades bringing airships and aerostats to the Middle East. Founder of Airships Arabia, he has served as Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Lighter-Than-Air Systems Technical Committee and is currently Chairman of The Airship Association.
Gregory Gottlieb
Head of Aerostat Activities,
World Mobile Group
Rahim Tafazolli
Professor of Mobile and Satellite Communications, ICS (Institute for Communication Systems); Founder and Director of 5G Innovation Centre & 6G Innovation Centre
Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini
Wireless CT Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Riccardo De Gaudenzi received his Master degree (cum Laude) in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pisa, Italy in 1985, a PhD from the Technical University of Delft, The Netherlands in 1999 and a Communication Engineering Master degree ad honorem from University of Parma in 2021. He is currently a freelance consultant and University lecturer. From 1986 to 1988 he was with the European Space Agency (ESA), Stations and Communications Engineering Department, Darmstadt (Germany) where he was involved in satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) ground systems design and testing. In 1988, he joined ESA’s Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands where he has been covering several technical and managerial positions inside the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality. As last position, he has been the Head of the ESA’s Electrical Department from 2018 until December 2023. The department staffed with more than 260 professionals covered radio-frequency systems and payloads for navigation, telecommunication TT&C and Earth Observation, EEE components and microelectronics, data handling systems, power systems and energy sources, electromagnetic compatibility, space environments and their effects. He has been responsible for a large number of R&D activities for TT&C, Telecom and Navigation applications. In 1996 he spent one year with Qualcomm Inc., San Diego USA, in the Globalstar LEO project system group under an ESA fellowship. His current interest is mainly related with efficient digital modulation and multiple access techniques for fixed and mobile satellite services, synchronization topics, adaptive interference mitigation techniques and communication systems simulation techniques. He actively contributed to the development and the demonstration of the ETSI S-UMTS Family A, S-MIM, DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2 and DVB-SH standards. He has published more than 140 scientific papers and owns more than 30 patents. From 2001 to 2005 he has been serving as Associate Editor for CDMA and Synchronization for IEEE Transactions on Communications and Associate Editor for Journal of Communications and Networks. He is co-recipient of the 2003 and 2008 Jack Neubauer Memorial Award Best Paper from the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has been awarded the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2022 Aerospace Communications Award.
Riccardo De Gaudenzi
Professor, University of Parma
Dr. Halim Yanikomeroglu is a Chancellor’s Professor and the Director of the Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Lab at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research interests cover many aspects of wireless communications and networks, with a special emphasis on NTN in the recent years. His extensive collaborative research with industry resulted in 40 granted patents. Dr. Yanikomeroglu is a Fellow of the IEEE, the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA). He is a Distinguished Speaker for the IEEE Communications Society and the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society, and an Expert Panelist of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). Dr. Yanikomeroglu is currently serving as the Chair of the Steering Committee of IEEE’s flagship wireless event, Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC). He is also a member of the IEEE ComSoc Governance Council, IEEE ComSoc Globecom/ICC Management & Strategy (GIMS) Standing Committee, IEEE ComSoc Conference Council, and IEEE PIMRC, IEEE FNWF, and ICTC Steering Committees. He served as the General Chair and Technical Program Chair of several IEEE conferences. He has also served in the editorial boards of various IEEE periodicals. Dr. Yanikomeroglu received several awards for his research, papers, teaching, and service, including the Grand Prize in IEEE Competition on NTN for B5G and 6G in 2022.
Halim Yanikomeroglu
Chancellor's Professor, Director of the NTN Lab, Carleton University
Gino Masini is Principal Researcher with Ericsson in Sweden. He holds a master’s degree in Electronics Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and an MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Management. He worked as researcher at Politecnico di Milano for ESA (the European Space Agency) and ASI (the Italian Space Agency) on millimeter wave propagation modeling, contributing to preliminary research for radio propagation experiments in space. He joined Ericsson in 1999, working at first with microwave radio link antennas and network planning, and then designing microwave monolithic integrated circuits. Since 2009 he works with 4G and 5G radio access network architecture. He has worked in standards since 2001, representing Ericsson in 3GPP, ETSI, ITU, and CEPT. Active in 3GPP for more than 15 years, he was elected as 3GPP RAN WG3 Chairman for two terms, overseeing the standardization of 5G RAN architecture. He received the 3GPP Excellence Award in 2022. He is the author of more than 80 patents, 3 recent books on 5G and 5G NTN, and a number of scientific articles. He also holds a “Six Sigma” certification.
Gino Masini
Principal Researcher, Standardization, Ericsson