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Dr. Catherine Grace
Assistant Director of South Australia Space Industry CentreDr Catherine Grace is a strategic-initiatives leader, with a focus on emerging opportunities in disruptive technology, within the Space and Defence sectors. She is a physician, clinical researcher, and partnerships manager, who has held international roles in innovation, engagement, and strategy development. A graduate of the International Space University (SHSSP22), Catherine has studied Archaeology & Human Biology, holds a MBBS (Medical University of Warsaw), and also holds Post Graduate qualifications in Research and Defence.
A multilingual orator and results-oriented professional, Catherine has been recognized for contributions to research and implementing strategies to support the achievement of organizational growth.
She is currently the Associate Director of the South Australian Space Industry Centre, where she supports the state of South Australia as the centre-of-gravity for Space activity.
Kaho Sakakibara
Founder & CEO of Space Entertainment Inc.Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo majoring in Mechanical Engineering, then started working for Mitsubishi Corporation in 2019 engaging in digital transformation projects. In 2021, she founded Space Entertainment Inc. as Founder and CEO, with the aim of making space a playground for humanity.
Dr. Sandy Tirtey
Director of Global Commercial Launch Services at Rocket LabDr. Sandy Tirtey is Rocket Lab’s Director of Global Commercial Launch Services and the company’s Launch Director. Dr. Tirtey joined Rocket Lab in 2013 as Vehicle Team Lead, where he supervised the development and construction of the Electron launch vehicle. In 2015, Dr. Tirtey took on the role of Vice President of Vehicle Systems, before becoming Rocket Lab’s Launch Conductor in 2016. In this role, Dr. Tirtey led mission operators through the successful launches of ‘It’s A Test’ and ‘Still Testing’ in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Today, Dr. Tirtey is the Director of Global Commercial Launch Services and is based in Brisbane, Australia. In this role he supports small satellite operators globally to access orbit through frequent and reliable launch opportunities on the Electron launch vehicle.
Sally Townsend
Commissioner, South Australia – Japan and Korea (Tokyo) at South Australia Department of Trade and InvestmentHailing from Adelaide in South Australia, Sally Townsend studied economics at The University of Adelaide. She came to Japan in 2000 to teach English, then went on to polish her Japanese skills at a language school. She subsequently decided to pursue a full-time degree in sociology at Nihon University, graduating in 2008. She continued living in Japan after graduation, working first for a wine importer in Tokyo, and then for a Singapore-based luxury lifestyle company, opening their Japan office. In March 2019, she took on her current position as South Australia Commissioner to Japan and Korea. An active participant in the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan since the beginning of her career, she became Chair in January 2019.