Startup founder, government tech advisor and Spark Festival director Maria MacNamara will be the next CEO of the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA).
Sydney-based MacNamara will step into the role on April 22 having recently completed a term as the Director of Government Affairs and Innovation Strategy at global ICT infrastructure company Kyndryl. She was previously CEO of Advance.org, Australia’s diaspora organisation, and has held senior roles in the Australian and NSW governments. and has served on the Spark Festival board since 2015.
SIAA executive chairman Jeremy Hallett said MacNamara has been at the centre of Australia’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem for many years and brings 35 years of experience across membership organisations, the public sector and global ICT.
“As the Australian Space Sector reaches new heights driven by its commercial enterprise and academic institutions, Maria brings crucial expertise in strategy and delivery, a deep global network and the ability to unlock further opportunity domestically and abroad,” he said.
“The eyes of the world are on Australia as we enter our next growth phase in Space and prepare to deliver the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney in 2025, and Maria is the right leader for SIAA during this transformational period.”
Maria MacNamara said the organisation that has the power to shape Australia into a true space-faring nation.
“Australia plays a vital role in the global space industry through its strategic geographic location, skilled workforce, and the innovative technologies developed by its enterprises to address challenges within the international space ecosystem,” he said.
“I am excited to collaborate with the Space Industry Association of Australia members, our public and private partners, and the SIAA team to leverage this valuable asset and contribute to the expansion of Australia’s share in the global space economy.”
The Space Industry of Australia is the sector’s peak body, formed in 1992. The SIAA will host the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney next year, September 29 – October 3
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