Guiding the Future of Space Settlement
The Space Settlement Summit is powered by a distinguished leadership team composed of space industry veterans, policy experts, academic pioneers, and exploration advocates. These individuals represent decades of experience at the forefront of aerospace innovation, NASA mission strategy, commercial launch systems, and global space policy.
This Year’s Summit Leadership
Zaheer Ali
Space Paladin, Director of the Space MBA Program, University of Central Florida
Zaheer Ali is a physicist, technologist, and educator working at the intersection of AI, quantum, and space systems. He is Space Paladin, Director of the Space MBA program at the University of Central Florida. In addition, he is a partner at Space Outcomes LLC, NewSpace Finance, and co-founder of Positon Inc., he has held leadership … Read More
Dale Amon
Multidisciplinary Futurist Bridging AI, Advocacy & Aerospace
Dale Amon is a NewSpace pioneer, engineer, entrepreneur, and long-time space advocate whose career bridges academia, aerospace startups, and AI-assisted archival innovation. National Space Society: Board member and L5 Society veteran. Dale founded the Pittsburgh L5 chapter in 1982; helped lead Spacepac chapters (1984–87); chaired both regional and ISDC conferences (ISDC ’87, and the NSS Conference Coordinating … Read More
Nicole D'Or
Information Systems Consultant, CEC Global Events
Nicole D’Or is a science communicator and museum professional specializing in public science education, event leadership, and innovative approaches to space outreach. She holds a Master of Museum Studies and an HBA in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology from the University of Toronto. Nicole has extensive experience in large-scale event coordination and … Read More
Dr. Pascal Lee
Co-founder and Chairman, Mars Institute
Dr. Pascal Lee is a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute, the Mars Institute, and NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. He is also professor of planetary sciences at Kepler Space University, and chief scientist for Ceres Robotics, a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) industry provider. He also serves as the National … Read More
Rod Pyle
Editor-in-Chief, Ad Astra Magazine | Co-Host, This Week in Space | Author, Journalist, Filmmaker
Rod Pyle is an author, journalist, television producer, and Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine. He has written 17 books on space history, exploration and development, including “Space 2.0,” “Innovation the NASA Way,” and “Destination Mars,” and writes for space-related periodicals including Popular Science, Space.com, LiveScience and “Sky at Night.” Pyle co-authored the “Apollo Leadership Experience” … Read More
Travis Wicks
Chief Executive Officer, Pegasus Online
Travis Wicks is the Chief Executive Officer of Pegasus Online, where he leads strategic initiatives in digital marketing, AI integration, and online communications to support business growth. With a multidisciplinary background in programming, app development, and design, Mr. Wicks has contributed to multimillion-dollar campaigns with global reach across both the private and nonprofit sectors. As an … Read More