PRESIDENT

CEO, Kea Aerospace

Internet and aerospace entrepreneur, Mark founded two internet companies in 1998 and sold one of those ventures to Telecom Yellow Pages in 2006. Mark was the first New Zealander to book a ticket with Virgin Galactic and was the seed investor and co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. In 2018 Mark started up Kea Aerospace to develop commercial aerospace projects and is committed to growing the New Zealand aerospace ecosystem.

SECRETARY

Research Operations Manager for Space, University of Auckland

Catherine Qualtrough is the Research Operations Manager for Space at the University of Auckland, where she supports various strategic research and educational initiatives, including Te Pūnaha Ātea Space Institute. She also serves as the Outreach Manager for the University’s involvement in the MethaneSAT mission and is the project manager for a NZ-DLR collaboration in free space optical communications. With a background in physics and astrophysics, Catherine has extensive experience in STEMM education, outreach, and science communication. A founding member of Aerospace Auckland, she is dedicated to fostering a diverse, interconnected, and collaborative aerospace sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.

TREASURER

Partner, EY

Supporter of innovation and technology development, Mark is a Partner at EY, assisting high growth start-ups, innovators and large enterprises access a broad range of R&D funding & government grants. Originally trained as a geneticist, Mark has 10+ years’ experience in the manufacturing and export sector in both leadership and technical roles. As treasurer, Mark’s role is create a sustainable platform for the organisation to grow the aerospace sector.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Aerospace Cluster Lead, ChristchurchNZ

Emma is an experienced strategic partnerships manager who is passionate about the role of innovation and technology in addressing some of the world's most significant challenges. In her current position as the Aerospace Cluster Lead at ChristchurchNZ, Emma is responsible for developing an ambitious city strategy for the sector, with the goal of harnessing the incredible economic opportunities it presents. Prior to her current role, Emma's career primarily focused on health tech, where she held various positions in New Zealand and the UK, all centred around innovation within the health and disability sector.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury

Dr Sarah Kessans is a lecturer in the UC College of Engineering’s School of Product Design. As a biochemist and synthetic biologist with a passion for space exploration, Sarah is working to create solutions for sustaining life both on and off Earth, as well as developing technology that will make this possible. As a committee member of Aerospace New Zealand, Sarah is committed to facilitating relationships between the aerospace industry and the tertiary education sector, ensuring a progression of qualified talent into the ecosystem as it expands.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

CEO, Space Operations New Zealand

Robin McNeill is founder and CEO of Space Operations New Zealand. His reputation in the international space community comes largely from his pioneering work at the Awarua Satellite Ground Station, south of Invercargill since 2004. Always interested in radio and telecommunications engineering, he has built satellite ground stations in Antarctica, the Equator and half-way between.

Mr McNeill is a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, Senior Member of IEEE, Member of AIAA and an Adjunct Fellow at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Canterbury. He is an Expert on the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Operations Committee and was presented the Rabone Award for Engineering Excellence in 2016. Mr McNeill was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Conservation in 2017.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

General Manager New Zealand, Nova Systems

Jude is the New Zealand General Manager for Nova Systems, a global engineering services and technology solutions company, partnering with clients to keep our nations and people safe and secure. An experienced and customer focused aerospace professional with over 25 years’ experience of leading operations in safety critical environments, Jude is passionate about supporting the growth of New Zealand’s aerospace sector.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

CEO, Argus Group

After a brief career in the UK Merchant Navy as a radio/electronics Officer, Roland came to New Zealand and joined Tait Electronics in a manufacturing support role. This developed into setting up and running the test engineering department at Swichtec where after 10 years Roland had risen to the role of General Manager for the systems division. After an additional 10 years as GM of TE Connectivity, Roland is now CEO of Argus Group. He holds an HNC in Radio and Radar, HND in Electronics, an MBA and is PMP accredited.

COMMITTEE MEMBER

CTO at Zenno Astronautics, Founder of Snowdon Consulting

Malcolm has been a pioneer in New Zealand's aerospace sector. He completed his PhD at the University of Canterbury, designing world leading control algorithms and New Zealand's first guided rockets. Malcolm was an early employee of Rocket Lab, and developed the navigation system for the Electron launch vehicle. In 2019, he founded Argo Navis Aerospace to fill the gap in the commercial propulsion market. After founding Snowdon Consulting Ltd in 2023, he joined Zenno Astronautics as CTO and is developing cutting edge superconducting technologies for the space industry. Outside of work, Malcolm is involved in precision target shooting and high performance skiff sailing, where he is a 9 time national champion.

COMMITTEE ADVISOR

Consultant, Lane Neave

With over 25 years’ legal experience, Graeme heads up Lane Neave’s technology practice, including telecommunications and aerospace. His expertise includes corporate advisory, shareholder agreements, technology and other commercial contracts, privacy and technology regulatory compliance. Graeme is excited by new technologies, and over the years has been fortunate to be involved with projects that relate to enterprise resource planning systems, Internet of Things sensors, location-monitoring apps, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in surveying. Graeme is ranked in technology in global law directories Chambers Global (since 2008) and Best Lawyers (since 2019).

COMMITTEE ADVISOR

Business Development Manager, University of Otago | Co-Convenor Aero+Space South

David works in the Research and Enterprise Team at the University of Otago (based at the Auckland Centre), and is tasked with creating partnerships and collaborations for researchers and industry partners. He has had over 30 years of international business experience, in Fortune 500 companies, startups and with Government agencies. He has spent much of his career with new and emerging technologies. He is delighted to be able to help lead the University of Otago’s engagement in the space sector and has established Aero+Space South, an Otago/Southland Cluster (aligned to Aerospace NZ) for space/aviation researchers and enthusiasts centred on the Dunedin campus. He is an “Apollo baby” and has had a lifetime love of aviation and space hardware and technology. His particular Otago interests are around the “human condition in space” and bringing the wealth of medical science found at Otago into the space sector in New Zealand and internationally.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Aerospace New Zealand

Victoria has over 7 years experience working in the areas of development, project management and events management within the tertiary sector in Melbourne. After moving to Christchurch in 2019, Victoria joined Aerospace New Zealand as the Communications and Events Manager to support the successful development of the aerospace community in Christchurch. In June 2022, Victoria took on the position of Operations Manager, facilitating corporate sponsorships, strategic partnerships and leading project implementation.

TECHNICAL COORDINATOR

Aerospace New Zealand

Rushil is currently in his third year of studying a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, specialising in Mechatronics Engineering, at the University of Canterbury. He’s previously interned at Rocket Lab, and continues to combine his passions for Aerospace and Technology as the Technical Coordinator for Aerospace New Zealand, creating and managing the Aerospace New Zealand website, associations and related technical media.

SPECIAL PROJECTS LEAD

Aerospace New Zealand

Brydee has extensive experience in Christchurch’s events sector, with comprehensive knowledge of event logistics/coordination, health and safety, employment law and strategic HR development. She is incredibly passionate about delivering events to a high standard and cultivating meaningful relationships with stakeholders. Brydee is currently working with Aerospace New Zealand as the Special Projects Lead, and has a Bachelor of Applied Management, specialising in Event Management and Human Resources Management.

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Aerospace New Zealand

Mekdim is an aerospace entrepreneur and marketer with a passion for all things space. He has a background in aircraft engineering and since completing a BCom at the University of Canterbury in 2022, he has co-founded Oasis Orbital Systems. His startup aims to create new avenues of space exploration through innovative orbital camera systems. This technology aims to provide greater accessibility to tools for exploring our universe. Mekdim is the Marketing Specialist for Aerospace New Zealand and works across the organisation to elevate the brand and reach of our message across all channels.

EDUCATION MANAGER

Aotearoa Aerospace Academy

Miranda Satterthwaite grew up under the stars of the Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo, developing a love for astronomy. She studied sciences at University of Otago and ICT at University of Canterbury. She holds both a Masters Degree in International Business Law and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Recently she has worked as the Academy Director for the International Antarctic Centre where she guided the Aurora flights across the Southern Skies. There she directed the Mission to Space programmes where, within a curriculum-based framework, students are led through interactive programmes on Antarctic Aerospace, along themes ranging from the survival in extreme environments to technology tested in Antarctica for space exploration. Currently Miranda is a Rocket Lab Educator trained through the Rocket Lab Educator Academy at Rocket Lab’s Production Complex and Mission Control Centre. Miranda previously trained in STEM education through a range of NASA bases in the USA, including NASA Marshall Flight Centre, NASA Kennedy Centre, NASA Armstrong Flight Centre and NASA Ames Centre and she has flown twice with NASA Sofia on astronomy Missions about the Antarctic Circle.