Speakers
NEW ZEALAND AEROSPACE SUMMIT 2025
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
Ōtautahi Christchurch / 7-8 October
LET US INTRODUCE OUR
Summit Speakers
More speakers to come - our programme is being finalised. Check back for further updates.
Max Arshavsky, CEO and Founder, Zenno Astronautics
Max studied physics, mathematics and engineering in Russia’s most elite lyceum under the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (National Research Nuclear University) and is a multi-prize winner of ROSATOM mathematics and physics Olympiads. Max continues his studies in the University of Auckland’s school of Enginering where he concertrated on Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Science before beginning his work on Zenno.
Angus Blair, General Partner, Outset Ventures
Max studied physics, mathematics and engineering in Russia’s most elite lyceum under the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (National Research Nuclear University) and is a multi-prize winner of ROSATOM mathematics and physics Olympiads. Max continues his studies in the University of Auckland’s school of Enginering where he concertrated on Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Science before beginning his work on Zenno.
Dr Isaac Henderson, CEO, Drowneshows Limited
Isaac is the CEO of Droneshows Limited, Chair of UAVNZ, and a Council Member of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand. He combines research, practical experience, and advocacy work regarding the operation and regulation of emerging aviation technologies, with a focus on uncrewed aircraft systems. Isaac’s work spans projects in New Zealand and abroad, where he has worked on developing new aircraft systems, or assisting with their integration into the conventional aviation system. He emphasises the importance of aligning concepts of operation, business strategies, and regulatory policies to unlock the full potential of emerging aviation technologies. Isaac looks forward to guiding these areas of discussion as moderator of the session on certificating emerging aviation technologies.
Prof Lucy Johnston, Tumu Tuarua Rangahau | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), New Zealand
Lucy Johnston is Tumu Tuarua Rangahau | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), New Zealand. She previously held executive roles across Australasia, including Interim Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice- Chancellor Research and Enterprise at the University of Canberra, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at Murdoch University. A qualified sports psychologist, she holds a bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology from the University of Oxford and a PhD in social psychology from the University of Bristol. Her international experience includes a term as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Connecticut. Professor Johnston has contributed to key initiatives such as the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour and the Psychosocial Recovery Advisory Group after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. She also chaired the NZ Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies and was a member of the Australian Council of Graduate Research.
Sarah Kessans, Associate Professor, University of Canterbury, School of Product Design, Faculty of Engineering
Growing up in the fields and forests of southern Indiana in the USA, Sarah Kessans has always been curious about how the natural world works. Currently teaching students in the School of Product Design as a lecturer at the University of Canterbury (UC) in the Chemical Formulation Design programme, Sarah is also involved in a range of research projects, from synthetic biology to space technology development. Sarah is also a member of the Aerospace Christchurch committee, and is excited to see aerospace flourishing in Canterbury!
After studying plant biology at Purdue University, Sarah completed her PhD at Arizona State University, where she developed and tested a plant-based HIV vaccine candidate. Sarah then began a postdoctoral position at University of Canterbury, working to understand bacterial evolution. “I hadn’t initially intended on staying in New Zealand, but I fell in love with the natural beauty of the South Island and the incredible communities around Christchurch, and after a few years, I really didn’t want to leave.”
Sarah secured a second postdoctoral position at UC, and was a Finalist Interviewee in NASA’s Astronaut Candidate selection at this time, which opened her eyes to the opportunities in space research. “It became one of my missions to support and expand New Zealand’s fledgling space industry.” Some of the projects she is working on now are looking at the possibility of building habitats on Mars with the development of fungal materials, and understanding how biosynthetic pathways in microbes can be manipulated to produce food in space.
Robin McNeill, CEO Space Operations New Zealand
Robin McNeill is CEO and founder of Invercargill based Space Operations New Zealand. He has built satellite ground stations from Antarctica to the Equator. Space Operations New Zealand operates the Awarua Satellite Ground Station, New Zealand’s only commercial ground station facility dedicated to low Earth orbit and, since last year, the Warkworth Space Centre.
Stefan Powell, Co-founder, CEO, CTO, Dawn Aerospace
Stefan grew up with a love for building new things and creating stuff. His father was an engineer and his grandfather a carpenter, so easy access to a shed full of tools allowed for a childhood of making things.
An interest in sustainable technology, particularly wind energy led him to studying at engineering at Delft University in the Netherlands. Whilst at Delft, Stefan's desire to use his practical skills led him to teaming up with a group of students to form a club around building rockets. The founding members of this club ultimately formed the basis of the founding team at Dawn Aerospace.
Mark Rocket, CEO, Kea Aerospace
President, Aerospace New Zealand
Mark was the seed investor and co-Director of Rocket Lab from 2007 to 2011. Mark is the CEO of Kea Aerospace, a company that is building solar-powered aircraft that will continuously fly for months in the stratosphere to capture more frequent high-resolution data for applications such as environmental monitoring, maritime domain awareness, disaster response and commercial insights. He is the President of Aerospace New Zealand, which is an industry-led body working to grow the aerospace sector.
Sarah Ramsay, CEO and Co-owner, United Machinists
Sarah Ramsay is the CEO and Co-owner of United Machinists, a Dunedin-based advanced manufacturer producing precision components for leading aerospace, defence, medical and scientific companies. Since 2019, she has led the company’s transformation from a local job shop to a global player—introducing fully automated machining, robotic inspection, additive manufacturing, and a state-of-the-art anodising line.
Under Sarah’s leadership, United has expanded into the Australian defence market and is now entering the USA aerospace sector. Known for her culture-first approach, she believes automation and real-time data empower teams to excel. Sarah also serves as Chair of the Minister for Manufacturing’s Productivity Advisory Group and Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, and is a Trustee of the NZ Hi-Tech Trust & Foundation.
Steve Smyth, Head of the Emerging Technologies Programme, CAA New Zealand
Steve Smyth served in the Royal Air Force for 30 years, commanding a fighter squadron and subsequently a strategic air base. Steve then led the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Introduction into Service programme to upgrade and replace every aircraft and supporting system in the operational fleet.
In 2014 Steve joined the CAA of New Zealand as Director of the New Southern Sky programme, a decade long modernisation of the New Zealand aviation system. In August 2021, Steve took up the role of Director Emerging Technologies Programme. The programme acts as a bridge between the CAA and Industry and spans all emerging aviation technologies that are yet to be certified, including RPAS and AAM.
In April 2025, following restructuring, this role was re-labelled as Head of the Emerging Technologies Programme.
Scott Spooner, Chief Executive & Technology Officer at SPS Automation Limited
Scott Spooner is the Chief Executive & Technology Officer at SPS Automation Limited. He is a highly skilled mechatronic engineer specialising in remotely piloted aircraft. He has over thirty years aeromodelling experience, including ten years of professional RPAS design, build and flight experience.
SPS Automation Ltd is a Christchurch-based R&D company specialising in tailored airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems. The core technology is bespoke sensor-based AI and the design or integration of the robots that use it. SPS Automation Ltd has an in-house rapid prototyping fabrication lab and a team of brilliant engineers who thrive in the strong team environment. If it flies, rolls, or moves and needs to think, then we can build it.
Stan Topping, Head of Aerospace Strategy & Global Partnerships, Tāwhaki
Stan oversees aerospace activity at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre and works closely with industry, regulatory bodies and the wider aviation community to help advance the aerospace industry in Aotearoa. Stan has a background in aerospace engineering, starting his career with Airbus in the UK, before emigrating to Australia and working with Smiths Detection. Stan later moved to New Zealand where he headed up the engineering department at Martin Jetpack, before joining Wisk to lead engagement with the New Zealand Government on integrating uncrewed aircraft into the airspace system.
Tuana Y, Founder, Chair & CEO, Tuana Group, AeroAI Voyages, AeroAI DesignLab & Nonprofit AeroAI Global Solutions
Tuana Yazici is the Founder, Chair, and CEO of the holding company Tuana Group, its two subsidiaries, AeroAI Voyages and AeroAI DesignLab, as well as the nonprofit AeroAI Global Solutions—an observer organization to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Together, these entities harness artificial intelligence and space technologies to improve global living conditions.
Yazici holds a law degree (Juris Doctor, J.D.), a Master’s in International Administration, and a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). Yazici is also a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and serves as Chair of the IISL Working Group on the Legal Aspects of AI in Space. A published author in space law and a frequent speaker at international forums, her work focuses on developing balanced, responsible frameworks for regulating space technologies and artificial intelligence.