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.

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.

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 to create a sustainable platform for the organisation to grow the aerospace sector.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Strategic public sector leader and Chartered Aerospace Engineer with over 20 years' experience in defence, regulatory, and operational leadership across the UK and New Zealand. Now operating independently, I advise government and private sector organisations in New Zealand and the wider region on aerospace-related initiatives. Recognised with an MBE for leadership excellence and the BAE Systems Innovation Award, I also serve as a director of the New Zealand Aeronautical Trust Limited, an aviation charity founded by pioneering New Zealand aviators. I am committed to driving innovation and improvement in the aerospace sector, particularly in climate change, alternative fuels, carbon reduction, and emerging technologies.

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).

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.

Konstantin is an Auckland Subcommittee member and former Board member and Treasurer of Aerospace Auckland. In his professional capacity, he is a Growth Programme Specialist at the Auckland Council Economic Development Office, where he is responsible for business support programmes that foster the growth of the deep tech and aerospace sectors in Auckland. Growing up during the Space Race era, Konstantin, like many of his contemporaries, dreamed of becoming a cosmonaut, or at least a spacecraft designer. After school, he went on to study chemical and process engineering, with a particular interest in developing new types of rocket fuels. After a successful career in engineering and business in Russia, Konstantin has been contributing to economic development in New Zealand since 2012, first at NZTE and now at Auckland Council. He holds a Master's in International Business from the University of Auckland and a Specialist Engineering Degree (MScEng) in Chemical Technology of Fuels from Ural State Technical University.

Dr Malcolm Snowdon founded Stellar Kinetics Ltd, a New Zealand-based vertically integrated rocket manufacturer, and is the director of Snowdon Consulting Ltd, through which he provides deep-tech expertise for orbital launch vehicle development, satellite hardware prototyping, and launch site infrastructure build. A pioneering figure in the aerospace sector, Snowdon was employee number six at Rocket Lab, where he served as a guidance, navigation and control engineer during the critical development of the Electron launch vehicle. He also served as the Chief Technology Officer at Zenno Astronautics, where he led the technical strategy and product development for proprietary high-temperature superconducting electromagnet technology. Snowdon earned his PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Canterbury, where he designed world-leading control algorithms and developed New Zealand's first guided rockets. In addition to his professional achievements, he is a ten-time Yachting New Zealand National Champion in the R-Class skiff.

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Denholm, from Taupō and based in Auckland since 2012, is interested in the development of New Zealand's emerging aerospace ecosystem and the pathways available to early-career professionals entering the field. He joined the Aerospace New Zealand Auckland Sub-Committee to represent graduates and early-career engineers and to support stronger connections between industry, academia, and new ventures. His work spans academia, industry, defence, and entrepreneurship, most recently in systems modelling, UAV development, and applied orbital mechanics. Denholm holds a Master of Aerospace Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and a Master of Music.

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As Operations Lead at Aerospace New Zealand, Brydee brings industry, government, and research together to spark innovation, accelerate growth, and connect people with opportunities. With a background in operational leadership, events, and governance, Brydee thrives in environments where big ideas meet complex delivery, ensuring emerging industries have the foundations they need to thrive. Brydee is currently working with Aerospace New Zealand as the Operations Lead, and has a Bachelor of Applied Management, specialising in Event Management and Human Resources Management.

Madeleine has recently graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Commerce, double majoring in Strategy & Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Combining her passion for building meaningful relationships through creativity and strategic thinking, she is currently working with Aerospace New Zealand as Special Projects Coordinator. In this role she supports a range of projects and initiatives across the organisation, contributing to work that strengthens connections in the aerospace industry.

Tejeshwar Sandhu is Vice President of UC Aerospace and is studying Mechatronic Engineering and Physics at the University of Canterbury. Through his studies and leadership experience, he is building the technical and professional skills to contribute to New Zealand's growing aerospace sector and support future aerospace innovation in Aotearoa. Tejeshwar is currently working with Aerospace New Zealand as the Associates and Events Administrator.

Rushil is a Mechatronics Engineer, recently graduated from the University of Canterbury. He continues to combine his passions for Aerospace and Technology part time as the Technical Coordinator for Aerospace New Zealand, creating and managing the Aerospace New Zealand website, associations and related technical media.

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.