Dr. Bryan Benedict
Dr. Bryan Benedict serves as Senior Director of Innovation & Spacecraft Programs at SES Government Solutions. During his career he has worked extensively within both the DoD and US Civil Agencies to socialize the advantages of hosting imaging payloads on commercial spacecraft. Additionally, Dr. Benedict has been a key advocate in the commercial industry for the use of space robotics for both recovery and life extension of geosynchronous satellites.
Prior to his current position Dr. Benedict served as the Product Line Manager for Commercial and Civil Hosted Payloads at Intelsat General Corporation, Director of Hosted Payloads at Intelsat, Director of Engineering for Satellite Bus & Launch Service Acquisitions at PanAmSat and was a System Engineering Manager at Hughes for the BSS601HP product line.
Dr. Benedict started his career as a chemical engineer in the petroleum industry – inventing and patenting several catalysts still used for stabilization of jet fuels.  Dr. Benedict earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1986, where he conducted research on the stabilization of high energy materials within crystalline lattices.
Dr. Benedict has been awarded a number of patents throughout his career – the latest for delivery of microsatellites to orbit piggybacking on the nadir deck of geosynchronous communication satellites.
Ane Aanesland
Ane Aanesland is a Norwegian deep-tech entrepreneur with deep roots in scientific research. She is the co-founder, president, and CEO of ThrustMe, an industrial space startup providing streamlined solutions to maneuver satellites in space. In 2020, ThrustMe became the first company to successfully demonstrate an iodine-propelled electric propulsion system in space and now deliver products to clients worldwide.
Ane Aanesland is a recognized expert in plasma physics and was leading a research team at the Ecole Polytechnique in France and conducted research at the Australian National University in the past. Ane obtained her PhD in physics from the Arctic University of Norway (the northernmost university in the world) and received the Innovation medal of the Centre Nationale De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in 2019.
Dr. Victor Aguero
Dr. Victor Aguero is now serving at Chief Technology Officer for Cambrian Works, a new startup focused on developing the commercial potential in space. Until mid-2020, Dr. Aguero served as a Senior Principal Research Engineer at SRI International, where for nearly 23 years he worked as a space technology developer and architect. His primary areas of interest are space systems and advanced technology related to small satellites, satellite constellations, and space missions. Dr. Aguero founded the small satellite program at SRI supporting the DoD/IC community by focusing on technology innovations, developments, and mission concepts during the mid-2000s through 2020. While at SRI, Dr. Aguero’s work led to eight patents and over 15 publications in refereed journals. His most recent work has focused on communications and networking architectures for LEO constellations, new technology applications in space, robotic space systems, and cluster and constellation missions – all of which he is working to apply to commercial space.
At SRI, Dr. Aguero was responsible for the development or support of over 13 CubeSats involving SRI payloads, and he supported the integration and launch of over 55 additional CubeSats through the CubeSat Experiment Pipeline launch integration team he helped establish for the US government in 2009. Prior to joining SRI, Dr. Aguero worked two Space Shuttle missions carrying out research and engineering for the NASA Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1, 1992), its re-flight (TSS-1R, 1996) and associated payloads. During his graduate student years, Dr. Aguero also helped found and lead the Stanford Small Satellite Program through the mid-1980s to early 1990s. Dr. Aguero holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Aguero received graduate school funding through National Science Foundation and NASA Fellowships, and strongly supports engagement in space mission activities by universities.
Leigh Anderson
Leigh Anderson currently works for RUAG Space USA, Inc. as a Senior Business Development Manager as part of the international space company’s Marketing and Sales team.
Leigh brings contributions to the space industry through an unyielding commitment to ideating and shaping the strategic voice and presentation of advanced technology pursuits. Her due diligence in research and translation of what makes an engineering solution novel, has directly contributed to ideas that resonate. She merits success working in tandem with engineers and space industry leaders to identify and connect ideas to further conceptualize technology development as is realized in a multitude of program wins, notably DARPA’s Blackjack Pit Boss Program, DoD CRADA awards, and other important Government, Commercial, and Civil Space industry program industry awards.
Leigh’s ability to understand space industry business objectives, identify connections between technology and opportunities, and passion for solidifying a story of merit is fundamental to her success unfolding emerging technology. She upholds deep curiosity and continued dedication towards futuristic vision, novel idea development, and the driving of engagement internally and externally for creative and critical thinking applied to space.
Leigh previously worked as the Business Development and Marketing Manager for SEAKR Engineering, Inc., and as a Manager of Business Development and Marketing for nationally recognized law firms where she successfully connected law to meet evolving technology business objectives.
Tina Ghataore
Tina is Mynaric’s Chief Commercial Officer, as well as the President of Mynaric USA. An aerospace industry veteran with 20 years’ experience in airborne and satellite communication and connectivity, Tina’s career has taken in senior roles at Yahsat, Panasonic Avionics, and The Boeing Company.
Tina has additionally helped shape connectivity strategies at Airbus and Thales, as well as at new space satellite start-ups. Tina manages all customer-facing activities, ensuring the launch of our products in the various geographical and industrial target markets.
Dr. Amela Wilson
Dr. Amela Wilson serves as CEO of Nanoracks where she is focused on expanding growth of Nanoracks’ space systems and payload services while scaling the organization for prime commercial, civil, and defense programs. She oversees the development of key Nanoracks in-space programs, including crewed space stations and autonomous platforms. Specifically, she is overseeing the developing of Starlab, the first free-flying, continuously crewed commercial space station.
Prior to joining the Nanoracks team in October 2021, Amela served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager at Mercury Systems, where she was hired to lead and rapidly grow one of three P&Ls. She was responsible for $250 business and led organizational transformation for growth, re-energized international product insertion into US solutions, and won numerous U.S. Government prime contracts. Amela conducted diligence on several mergers and acquisitions, successfully acquiring businesses to expand Mercury Systems’ global avionics and mission systems portfolio.
Previously, Amela has served in several senior executive positions including Vice President and General Manager at FLIR Systems and Elbit Systems of America, Sector Vice President for Program Management, Platform, Logistics at L-3 Aerospace Systems, and more.
Amela received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Sarajevo, and a Master of Science and PhD from Texas A&M University, all in electrical engineering. She has completed the Wharton School Executive Education Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Amela is a multidimensional senior executive and strategist who brings passion, perseverance, and integrity to drive growth within system integration, technology, manufacturing, and services. She drives change in organizations by building an open and collaborative culture that fosters trust and innovation.