Janet Ivey-Duensing

Science communicator, educator, and space advocacy leader. Founder and CEO of Janet’s Planet, Inc., she has spent over 30 years creating narrative-driven STEM/STEAM programs across broadcast, digital, and live platforms. Former President of Explore Mars, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and member of the National Space Society Board of Governors, Janet is a 12-time Emmy and 5-time Gracie Award winner known for human-centered space storytelling.

Space Communicator & Media Creator

Simon Litvinov

Founder of a Luxembourg-based NewSpace startup working at the intersection of mobility and autonomous navigation. He is a mentor at Startup Wise Guys, the UK Space Agency Accelerator, and the Tehnopol Incubator (Estonia), where he supports early-stage founders with product development, business models, and pitching.

NewSpace Startup Founder

Rhonda Stevenson

CEO and President, Above: Space Development Corp.

Rhonda Stevenson leads the commercialization of space technologies and LEO infrastructure at Above: Space Development Corp. A technology visionary with over 20 years of executive and entrepreneurial experience, she is one of the few women CEOs of a revenue-generating space company. Since 2021, she has driven sustainable space habitation innovation and built partnerships across diverse sectors.

Shelli Brunswick

CEO & Founder, SB Global LLC.

Global thought leader and futurist helping leaders, governments, and organizations translate space innovation into real-world impact. Former U.S. Air Force officer and senior leader with 30+ years at the intersection of space, policy, leadership, and emerging technology. Forbes Technology Council contributor, keynote speaker, and author of the What's Space Got to Do With It? book series on space-enabled solutions for a more sustainable future.

Melodie Yashar

Space Architect, Technologist, and Researcher

Founder of AENARA, developing construction technologies for off-world habitats on the Moon and Mars. Former VP of Building Design and Performance at ICON, focused on large-scale additive manufacturing for Earth and space. Previously Senior Research Associate with the Human Systems Integration Division at NASA Ames and co-founder of Space Exploration Architecture (SEArch+). Master of Architecture from Columbia, Master of HCI in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon.

Dr. Daniel Tompkins

30+ year career in plant science and agricultural systems, with 10 years focused on space applications. Contributed to plant disease diagnostics and advanced crop consulting for high-value fruit and vegetable growers. Experience in lab and field operations across organic, conventional, open field, and greenhouse hydroponics in the USA and internationally. Focused on using space resources to sustain life independent of Earth. Founded GrowMars in 2017.

Agricultural Scientist

Naeem Altaf

IBM Distinguished Engineer, Space Tech CTO

Leads AI, autonomy, and digital innovation for the space sector. Visionary technical strategist with 25+ years of experience driving cross-domain innovation across AI, hybrid cloud, and automation, translating complex architectures into transformative outcomes. Previously served on the NASA FDL AI Committee and now serves on the Explore Mars Board, advancing AI-powered space exploration and autonomous space systems.

Chris Carberry

Creator of the Humans to Mars Summits, Mars Achievability Workshops, and Mars Innovation Workshop series. Former Executive Director of The Mars Society. Author of 100+ articles and featured in 100+ TV, radio, and podcast appearances. Author of The Music of Space (2024) and Alcohol in Space (2019), adapted into a documentary. Co-editing A Future Spacefaring Society for Springer, releasing in 2026.

CEO and Co-founder, Explore Mars, Inc.

More Speakers to come