Ryan lead’s McKinsey’s work in advanced analytics across food, agriculture, and environmental sectors. He heads McKinsey’s ACRE data science center, which provides remote sensing analysis, crop yield forecasting, weather/climate modeling, and related analytics. He has worked extensively with private sector and governmental clients on using analytics to understand climate risk in their operations, and how to address GHG emissions in the agriculture sector.

Deborah Westphal is a passionate humanist who has guided our era’s top minds and leaders to challenge biases, ignite ideas, and build connections and resilience for a secure and sound future.

Her career spans more than 30 years, government agencies and Fortune 100 companies, and virtually every continent. In 1999, Alvin Toffler tapped her as one of the founding members of his eponymous consulting firm, Toffler Associates. From 2007 through 2018, she served as the firm’s CEO and has since contributed her experience and knowledge as a member of the board.

Geoff Hempelmann is Manager of Government Relations at Maxar Technologies. In this role, Geoff is responsible for the company’s civil space portfolio including managing relationships with Congress, representing the company with trade associations, as well as advocating for programs and public policies. Before joining Maxar, Geoff spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill, working for Reps. Steve Womack (AR-03), Evan Jenkins (ret. WV-03) and David McKinley (WV-01). During his time on Capitol Hill and working for members of the House Appropriations Committee, he handled a variety of policy issues including NASA and NOAA Appropriations, helping secure funding for STEM programs and NASA missions. Geoff received a Master’s degree in Economics from American University and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science from West Virginia University.

Ezinne Uzo-Okoro was a NASA program executive who has built, managed, and reviewed over 60 spaceflight programs in ~17 years representing $9.2 Billion in total program value to NASA. At NASA Headquarters, Ezinne led a Heliophysics portfolio of spaceflight missions, including the PUNCH, TRACERS, and MAGIC missions, in the Science Mission Directorate.

Nancy Colleton has spent her career studying and promoting the use of space-based Earth observations for business, conservation, and education applications. As the founder and president IGES—now in its 28th year—Ms. Colleton has built a respected nonprofit organization with a diverse client base that includes NASA and private sector firms.

David Herring is an award-winning science communicator with 29 years of experience working within the Earth system science community at NOAA and NASA.  David is Chief of the Communication, Education, and Engagement Division within NOAA’s Climate Program Office, where he also serves as Program Manager.

Dr. Autumn Thomas is the Vice President of Education for the Space Foundation and an expert in curriculum development and equity in education with an executive leadership focus. Her studies have focused on leading educational organizations to be inclusive, innovative, and engaging. She centers her advocacy on including all voices at the table when it comes to innovation and forward thinking. Her experience ranges from actual classroom experience, coaching educators, guiding and writing curriculum, to administrative roles and consulting. She is also a faculty member of the education department for CU Denver where she keeps up to date on current educational trends. Her role in the Space Foundation is to Direct Education projects, work with the education team on curriculum design and development, and on the coordination of new space-based education initiatives. She ensures that Space Foundation education programs grow in visibility and capacity. She also prudently links our education programs to community and industry needs.

Meredith is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist as designated by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and a science/space journalist for WeatherNation. Meredith also serves as the Chair for the AMS Station Scientist Committee, which focuses on raising greater awareness & outreach when it comes to science education for viewers.

Erin McLean is a cross-disciplinary human-centered designer, engineer, and strategist passionate about solving wicked problems that impact humans in extreme environments. Her recent work has focused on technologies, environments, and systems that improve productivity, safety, and desirability of human spaceflight activities. She is currently the Senior Design Strategist for Blue Origin, a human spaceflight company based in Washington.