Advisory Board
Dan Bena
Dan is an award-winning executive who served as PepsiCo’s Corporate Water Steward, and led the Sustainable Development agenda for PepsiCo Global Operations, using the power of the private sector to help both business and society flourish. He has served on the Public Health Committee of the Safe Water Network; the Leadership Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); Steering Board of IFC’s 2030 Water Resources Group; Steering Committee of the United Nations CEO Mandate; the Global Agenda Council on Water Security of the World Economic Forum; and the Board of the International Society of Beverage Technologists. Bena completed a three-year term on the Board of the Washington-based US Water Alliance, and currently serves on the Board of the Creative Visions Foundation, a non-profit using media and the arts to develop agents of positive social change. Their signature program, called Rock Your World, engages middle and high school students in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and provides them the tools with which to become creative activists. Bena was selected as a mentor for the ThreeDotDash.org program of the We Are Family Foundation; a judge for the University of Notre Dame Corporate Adaptation Prize; and as an advisor to the social enterprise start-up, Keela. He was invited to provide testimony to the US Senate, and keynoted the United Nations Youth Assembly to over 1,000 youth delegates from over 100 countries. Bena received the Light Up the Night Award from the Julia B. Andrus Foundation for youth advocacy and engagement and was recently named a “Global Goals Local Leader” by the UN Association for his role in the partnerships which have provided over 16 million people with access to safe water, thereby helping to advance the SDGs.
Major General Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
Major General Charles Bolden, Jr. was NASA administrator from 2009 to 2017. He is now president and CEO of the Bolden Consulting Group LLC. His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years working in NASA’s Astronaut Office. He traveled into orbit four times aboard the Space Shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions and piloting two others. His flights included deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and the first joint U.S.-Russian shuttle mission, which featured a cosmonaut as a member of his crew. He also served as chief of NASA’s Safety Division in the wake of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. As NASA administrator, Maj. Gen. Bolden oversaw the shift toward commercial space initiatives handling ISS resupply and created the Space Technology Mission Directorate, responsible for developing the technology to make future exploration missions successful. His tenure included the Mars Curiosity Rover landing, the Juno mission that is enhancing knowledge of Jupiter, and an increase in the number of Earth-observation satellites. He was a U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space (2018–19) and is an independent director of the LORD Corporation, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.
Dave Bouvé
Dave is a senior manager in the Human Capital practice of Deloitte Consulting, the largest professional services consulting company in the world. He advises public sector clients on ways to transform and optimize their Human Resources organizations. Prior to Deloitte, he served 29 years in the Navy, retiring as a Captain. A decorated helicopter pilot, he has over 2,000 hours flying SH-60B and MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopters off of ships deployed around the world. Qualified as an instructor pilot and training specialist, Dave had the privilege of leading our Nation’s finest men and women as commanding officer of a helicopter squadron in Japan and later as Commodore of 11 squadrons of helicopters in the Pacific theater. He also served as an officer recruiter and Chief Marketing Officer for Navy Recruiting Command. Pete Conrad was one of his personal heroes and he has been involved with the Conrad Foundation in various capacities and as a judge since 2015. He has a passion for youth education, and is inspired by all things space. He was an Eagle scout and youth leader; he lives in Memphis and loves to spend time cooking, learning guitar, and travelling with his family.
George T. DeBakey
George is the President of DeBakey International and has been involved in international business for over 40 years in both the private and public sectors. DeBakey has a passion for assisting educational technology firms to expand and develop business overseas in the education market, with major focus on the Middle East. During his career, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Department of Commerce and was the first person selected to serve as the Director of the Technology and Information Industries Office to promote exports of U.S. technology products. He began his career with Rockwell International (which contributed to the development of the Space Shuttle) in the 1970s and 1980s, serving in various positions in the international division of the electronics and telecommunications sector. He lived and worked for more than six years in London, England and Cairo, Egypt. He served on the Smithsonian Science Education Center National Advisory Board where he promoted STEM education for six years and was the founder of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Ari Eisenstat
Ari Eisenstat is an International Futurist at the University of Hawai’i - Research Center for Future Studies and Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution Human Rights Instructor exploring ‘The Future of Outer Space Policy for Sustainable Development.’ Ari facilitates Outer Space Innovation and Advocacy programs through the United Nations Association-USA, Nexus Global Summit, and UH Astrobiology Institute featuring Astronauts, UN Office of Outer Space Affairs Officials, Elected Representatives, New Space Industry Leaders, and Civil Society Experts. With experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Ari has lectured at United Nations Agencies in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, UN Climate Change Conferences in Marrakech and Bonn, World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Bogota and Merida, as well as universities such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Penn, Duke, UC Berkeley, NYU, and globally. Ari engages in experiential education, strategic advising, venture philanthropy, impact investing, and creative media for leading edge projects.
Zephanii Smith Eisenstat
Zephanii Smith Eisenstat is a lifelong social justice advocate working to advance civil rights, human rights, peace, and sustainable development in communities and organizations worldwide. Zephanii’s public service career includes working in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government in various support and consultancy roles. Her work includes collaborations with academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations; including elected and appointed positions. She is a frequent contributor on topics related to advocacy, education, intrapreneurship, engagement, and her participation in various social, political and economic fora. A former national council member of the U.S. United Nations Association, she is the creator of #MySDGDream, an initiative of the U.S. United Nations Association and co-founder of its Outer Space Advocacy and Innovation Series. Zephanii is the Program Manager at Ceeds of Peace and a faculty educator at the University of Hawaii’s Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution. She serves on the boards of the NAACP Foundation, the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, the George and Marguerite Simson Biographical Research Center, and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)’s U.S. Task Force for Policy and Advocacy.
Dr. Vanessa Farsadaki
Dr. Vanessa Farsadaki is the preeminent thought-leader towards advancing the discipline of Space Medicine. A proud American citizen of Greek descent and a Medical Doctor, Dr. V as she is known colloquially, is on-track to become Greece’s first-ever Astronaut in history. She is a scuba diver, a pilot in training and a skydiver. As the President and Managing Partner of Space Exploration Strategies LLC, Dr. V’s impressive bona fides include advanced degrees in Biology, Genetics, Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Business Leadership. She has authored and co-authored a plethora of articles advocating for advancements in her field of expertise, and her deep experiences with Radiation Exposure and Protection have made her a sought-after advisor on high-end programs of note for the gravitas she brings to the discussions. Additionally, her fluency in 18 languages is a testament to her ability to engage with a broad range of audiences, and thus she continues to serve as a keynote speaker at numerous fora to include the prestigious Kings College in London, England and many other universities internationally.
Robert Fardi
Robert is Equity Partner and Executive Vice President of Strategic Development & Partnerships at REQ, a digital marketing and brand management agency servicing Fortune 100, sovereign and advocacy organizations globally. He and his team have delivered strategic counsel to notable clients across many regions and industries, including NASA, Sweetgreen, CAVA, GE, the UN Foundation, the Global Fund, GSA, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Chamber of Congress, McDonald’s, Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Digital Realty, the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Alphabet, Amazon, Brookfield, Hines, Orascom, Qatar Foundation, XPRIZE Founding Board Member and many others. During Robert’s tenure at REQ, the company has won numerous awards for growth, culture, and its work. Most recently, REQ was named Top B2B Digital Marketing and Brand Management Company by Clutch and was named to the Adweek 100 for Fastest Growing Companies as well as REQ CEO Named 2020 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. Prior to joining REQ, Robert was the President and Co-Founder of Unison Agency, a leading integrated brand and digital agency combining strategic, creative, and technology services to help clients build, establish, and strengthen their brands. Unison Agency was acquired by REQ in 2015. He has also worked on client engagements in all corners of the world professionally at the International Republican Institute, Accenture, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and First Abu Dhabi Bank. Robert actively promoted STEM education programs globally in partnership with Qatar Foundation, USAID, GLORIAD, US Department of State, NASA, UN Foundation, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
Gwen Griffin
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Emeritus Director and Founding Board Member
Gwen is the founder and CEO of Griffin Communications Group, a full-service communications and branding firm serving the global aerospace, energy and manufacturing industries. Her team has worked with industry leaders such as Blue Origin, Boeing, the Coalition for Space Exploration, Virgin Galactic, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Orbital ATK, World View Enterprises, Korn Ferry International’s Energy/Chemicals Practice, CVR Energy, Bodycote, U.S. Zinc and more. Earlier in her career, she held positions such as Director of Marketing for NASA-Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Public Relations/Promotions Manager for Space Center Houston NASA’s visitor complex at the Johnson Space Center, and Area Marketing Manager for Southwest Airlines. Gwen focuses her volunteer time supporting workforce development and STEM education. She serves on the executive committee of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, the Space Center Houston board of directors, and is the current chairman of the College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Counsel at the University of Central Florida.
Myra Halpin, Ph.D.
Also serves as the Foundation’s Director of Teacher PD
Myra Halpin, Ph.D. is a science educator with more than fifty years of teaching experience, thirty of which were at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. For eleven years prior to retiring, she coached Conrad Finalist teams. After retiring, she is serving as a Conrad Challenge Judge. She has witnessed the evolution of the Conrad Challenge from the first year of national competition to the current international competition. She was South Carolina’s selection for the 1985 Teacher in Space and has work on several NASA project and had student experiments fly on Sounding Rockets and Zero-G flights. Myra helped in the founding of the Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Wang Chon, Thailand by serving as teacher trainer and Chemistry Curriculum Advisor 2014- present. She is National Board Certified and was a Presidential Teacher of Science in 1994. She has served as Dean of Science at NCSSM; the Executive Director of the NC Student Academy of Science as part of the AAAS student program; ACS – Chemistry Olympic Committee; Founding faculty for Challenger Center; Chaired committee for North Carolina Chemistry Curriculum develop; authored 5 journal articles; and loves working with students.
Karlton D. Johnson
Karlton D. Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of Delaine Strategy Group LLC, a strategic advisory practice providing confidential counsel to C-Suite leaders in the public, private / Fortune 500, non-profit, academic, and government sectors. He is a senior executive and respected visionary leader with over 30+ years of subject matter experience in strategic leadership, risk management, partnership creation, organizational excellence, mission assurance, space development / emerging space markets, cybersecurity, board excellence, and enterprise communications technologies.
A decorated combat veteran, Mr. Johnson previously served in US Space Command, Air Force Space Command, and Air Force Systems Command providing real-time satellite tracking, space shuttle operations, and strategic leadership to 11 worldwide installations supporting sensitive Department of Defense space-related operations and national security space programs with global import.
Adam Jonas
Adam Jonas is a Managing Director and leader of Morgan Stanley's Global Auto & Shared Mobility research team, joining the Firm in 1996. Adam is recognized globally as a thought leader in the automotive sector and his team has achieved top 3 positions in both the European and US Institutional Investor survey. In collaboration with his global research colleagues, Adam publishes insights on the future of electric/shared/autonomous vehicles and the space economy. Adam is a Chartered Financial Analyst and earned his bachelor's degree in business administration (with distinction) from the University of Michigan. Adam frequently lectures on the future of mobility at Princeton University, Columbia University and the University of Michigan. Adam previously served on the Board of National Safe Place.
Song K. Jung
Song is a partner at Dentons and co-chair of the law firm’s U.S. Intellectual Property and Technology practice, where he guides a national team of attorneys and patent agents. His practice covers all aspects of patent law, including patent prosecution, litigation, validity and infringement opinions, licensing, technology transfer, patent acquisitions and settlement negotiations. He has counseled clients through numerous intellectual property litigation matters covering a wide range of technologies and industries in national and international jurisdictions. Additionally, he regularly advises clients on Inter Parte Review/Covered Business Method Review and Ex Parte Reexamination. Song has continually been recognized by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine as one of the world's leading practitioners in patent prosecution, licensing and litigation. Before practicing law, he was an electrical engineer at NASA, where he tested electronic components including analog and digital devices, memories and microprocessors for space flight projects.
Ankesh Madan
Ankesh is a deep tech investor, entrepreneur, and recovering materials engineer. In 2014, Ankesh co-founded Undercover Colors, a startup that was dedicated to ending drug-facilitated sexual assault, and went on to raise $14M+ from Mark Cuban and other investors. After helping to build up early operations at the startup, he went on to work at Propel(x) to increase access to capital for deep tech startups, and eventually transitioned to venture capital at Plug and Play Ventures. In his current role at Hitachi Ventures, Ankesh invests in technologies spanning synthetic biology, smart grid, robotics, healthcare, etc. A North Carolina native, Ankesh graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, and completed two years of Ph.D. coursework at Duke University. He currently lives in Boston and spends his free time cycling, making ever-more complex coffee concoctions, and bookstore hopping.
Joe Rothenberg
Previous Treasurer
Joe is an independent consultant, who most recently worked as Director at Google Skybox Engineering and Operations. He spent 18 years with NASA, holding positions including Associate Administrator for Space Flight and Director of the Goddard Space Flight Center. He is widely recognized for leading the first servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope that corrected the telescope’s flawed optics. Prior to NASA, he spent 17 years with Grumman Aerospace. Joe is a lifetime Associate Member of the National Research Council, and was inducted into the Aviation Week and Space Technology Laureates Hall of Fame in 1997. He currently serves on a number of NASA and NOAA review committees, as well as corporate boards.
Kunal Sood
Kunal Sood is a world-renowned impact entrepreneur, leadership strategist, and an award winning disruptive innovator who is on a mission to make the impossible possible in the era of the Creator Economy. As the founder of #WeThePlanet, NOVUS, X Fellows, and We The Future (WTF) he has made his life’s purpose to transform the world for a better future by positively impacting a billion lives in his lifetime. He does this by architecting and bridging the worlds of power and influence with meaning and purpose to build the next generation of impact-driven leaders and organizations. He has a passion for designing and curating deeply immersive and transformational experiences that shapes culture and inspires people from all around the world to harness the power of collaboration in turning their ideas into real-world action. Currently as the founder of We The Planet he is building out global campaigns #OperationHOPE, #FirstWoman #WeHaveADream and We The Future (WTF). At X Fellows he is creating the network of networks, which is a highly curated collective of extraordinary citizens including, artists, musicians, innovators and explorers that support all of the campaigns. #WeHaveADream is a social justice movement using music and storytellers to end all forms of social, racial, and environmental injustice on the Planet and We The Future (WTF) is a new league of NextGen leaders that form an action tank consisting of solution-driven youth and elders coming together globally to unite humanity in action using music, art, innovation, and purpose-driven ventures and initiatives that positively disrupts the human experience.
Mike Williams
Mike Williams is a family man, business executive, author, speaker, and executive coach. Mike served as the President and CEO of the David Allen Company, and co-authored the book Getting Things Done for Teens. He’s trained thousands of leaders on organizational and personal productivity. From executives to sales professionals to operations leaders across a variety of industries including technology, healthcare, entertainment, national laboratories, and small business. Mike enjoyed a 20-year career in a variety of leadership roles at GE Healthcare and was the Sr. Director of Organizational Design at ecommerce site Zappos.com. He also served on the board of directors for the Association of Talent Development. Mike is a TEDx speaker and has appeared in magazines such as Inc. and FastCompany. Mike’s on a mission to give students and leaders actionable tools for turning chaos into clarity, so they can stay at the top of their game in all areas of their life, for the rest of their life.
Lee Jennings
Lee Jennings currently serves as an Advisor to Public and Private companies. With an industrial engineering degree in hand, Lee started her UPS career as a delivery driver in New York City and worked her way up through a number of different operating and IT leadership roles throughout her career. Prior to retiring from UPS, Lee was the Group CIO responsible for UPS’s emerging markets business which included supporting M&A, joint ventures, and new business models for UPS. Lee also led UPS hub automation efforts; the development and deployment of UPS automation technology to over 1,800 operating buildings around the world. On the innovation front, Lee and her team were recognized as the Red Hat Innovator of the year for the implementation of critical UPS operations technology leveraging the Redhat private cloud. Lee also led the development and deployment of the industry’s first online billing platform and a number of other technology initiatives that have disrupted the supply chain industry... During her tenure with UPS, Lee was the global Information Technology Chair for the Women’s Business Resource Group and was both an internal and external champion for diversity and women in STEM. With a passion for innovation and paying it forward, Lee is a volunteer mentor/judge for The Conrad Challenge, a global innovation challenge for high school students.
Stacy Whittle
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Stacy is an award-winning actor, producer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Block of Love and Heart Theatre.
As Communications Director for the joint NASA | USAID program, SERVIR, she produced and directed two highly lauded short films. She recently produced and directed the first-ever 360 videos for the Forest Service. She is currently producing a new series of 2D and 360 videos for the Forest Service which will debut in the summer.
She was the principal entrepreneur in a startup company focused on combining the aviation and entertainment industries to provide revolutionary new passenger entertainment experiences. Stacy serves on multiple boards, including the Virtual World Society, where she focuses on the productive use of VR/AR.
Stacy holds a Master's in Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey and a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from George Washington University. She has worked and lived in 20 countries and speaks fluent Spanish and conversational Arabic.