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SSPI-WISE - Women in Space Engagement

SSPI-WISE is pleased to participate in the upcoming SSPI Topic Campaign: Eternal Orbit: Leveraging the enduring value of geosynchronous orbit in the new space economy

TIME AND DATE CHANGE: Join us on September 7, 2023 @ 10 AM EDT as we hear about some of the most current GEO projects from women in industry who are working on those projects.

This topic campaign is underwritten by Hughes Network Systems.  Register today!  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvd-ytrj4iEtbljqBjScfYrloB3q2oxxNT

7:00 AM PDT || 10:00 AM EDT || 11:00 AM ADT and BRT ||  3:00 PM BST and WAT || 4:00 PM CEST || 7:30 PM IST || 11:00 PM

 

About SSPI-WISE

SSPI-WISE is a group that welcomes all women members from the space & satellite industry. We meet once per month, usually on Zoom, to discuss goals, plan new events and, of course, have fun!

 

SSPI-WISE Blog

SSPI is fortunate to have the talented Elizabeth Tweedie pen a blog on our behalf.  Check out the blog here!

 

Missed the May 2023 Open Meeting?

At the May 2023 Open Meeting of SSPI-WISE, Kati Dahm, Head of Marketing at Loft Orbital, gave a presentation on Building Your Personal Brand. Kati Dahm is an accomplished marketing professional and currently holds the position of Head of Marketing at Loft Orbital. With over a decade of experience, she has successfully driven impactful communications and marketing strategies for both public and private companies. Watch the meeting on-demand below!

Catch up on other past open meeting events

 

Our Name

On December 16, 2020, women from throughout our industry gathered at the kickoff cocktail hour for a new Space & Satellite Women’s group within SSPI. The initial discussion centered around the question of a name. We had a number of suggestions, such as “Women’s Space Odyssey,” “Space & Satellite Women” and “Women in Space.” This last one led naturally to “WISE” which stands for “Women in Space Engagement.” #SSPI-WISE.
 

Our Goals

  • Engaging women in the space and satellite industry through STEM outreach, structured mentor programs and partnerships with other women’s groups
  • Elevating the profile of women in the industry by encouraging balance on conference panels, recognizing companies that actively promote women, profiling women through social and other media and encouraging nomination of women for awards, including the Hall of Fame, 20 Under 35 and Mentor of the Year SSPI awards
  • Networking and social media campaigns to spread the word about SSPI-WISE and make sure all women in the industry, from young professionals to women in the midst of long careers have a chance to participate and contribute
     

Working Groups

SSPI-WISE now has online working groups set up for each of our main goals to let members connect and make progress on projects. Each working group is accessible to any woman member of SSPI:

  • STEM Outreach: Aiming to engage more women in the space & satellite industry through coordinated STEM outreach and partnerships with other groups
  • Social Media: Working to spread the word about SSPI-WISE and make sure all women in the industry have a chance to participate and contribute
  • Elevating Women: Encouraging balance on conference panels, recognizing companies that actively promote women, profiling women through social and other media and encouraging nomination of women for awards, including the Hall of Fame, 20 Under 35 and Mentor of the Year SSPI awards
  • Networking: Engaging women from throughout the industry through social media and live and online events
  • Mentorship: Working to develop structured mentorship programs to assist women attempting to enter and thrive in the industry

*Working Groups are open to women members of SSPI only. For the inaugural year, any woman who wishes to serve on SSPI-WISE Working Groups may email Tamara Bond-Williams for complimentary membership and working group assignment.

Recent Events and News

Women Helping Women Through Mentoring

Beginning in July 2021, SSPI’s Women in Space Engagement (WISE) group initiated a Mentorship Program to enable women starting out, or at a crossroads in their careers, to take advantage of the experiences of pioneering women already established in the exciting but historically male-dominated satellite and space industry. If you would like to participate in this rewarding program, click here to learn more.

 

SSPI-WISE Blog

SSPI-WISE is pleased to announce the new SSPI-WISE Blog! The blog is a timely and informative space to learn about industry happenings, and to explore a range of topics, especially as relates to women in industry. Check out the newest post – Major Savior or Gross Polluter? The Space Industry’s Dual Role in Climate Change – now!

 

Mentorship Kickoff and Panel Session

On July 8, SSPI-WISE members gathered for an expert panel session and the group’s mentorship kickoff!

 

International Women’s Day Celebration 2021

On March 8, SSPI-WISE members gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day! We held our first open meeting hosted by the Networking and Swag working group. At the Celebration, we explored tips and best practices for networking with our special guest keynote by Elodie Viau, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and Tina Ghataore, President of Mynaric USA. Watch the archive above!
 

Better Satellite World Podcast: Risk, Season 2 – The Risk of Being a Woman

On International Women’s Day 2021, SSPI was pleased to present the third episode of the popular Risk podcast series, featuring a roundtable conversation moderated by SSPI President Nicole Robinson, President of URSA Space Systems. Guests include KISPE Space’s Anita Bernie, The Boeing Company’s Jomya Lei and Isotropic Networks’ Melissa Orlick. These four women of space & satellite talk about the risks inherent in simply being a woman trying to grow and make a difference in the industry. Listen to the podcast below or on our News page at: www.sspi.org/articles/better-satellite-world-podcast-risk-season-2-the-risk-of-being-a-woman-a-roundtable-conversation.

Our Leadership 2023-24

Chairwoman: Debra Facktor, AIRBUS U.S. Space and Defense, Inc.

President: Jomya Lei, ViaSat

Vice President: Vinitha Lalvani, AvL Technologies,

Secretary: Alix Wright, Speedcast

Working Group Chairs:

  • Elevating Women: Divya-Kala Bhavani, Dhruva Space, Negar Feher, Toni Lee Rudnicki, TLR Consulting LLC
  • Mentoring Chair:  Wendy Newman, Strategic Voice
    Co-Chairs: Silvia Borges, Hispasat, Andrea Maleter
  • Social Media: Vinitha Lalvani, AvL Technologies, Rosario Toxqui, Comtech, Elisabeth Tweedie, Definitive Direction, Helen Weedon, Radical Moves
  • STEM Outreach: Justyna Kosianka, Ursa Space Systems,  Audrey Puderbaugh, Iridium, Heidi Ann White, Université de Montréal
  • Sustainment & Infrastructure: Jennifer Hoil, ST Engineering iDirect, Melissa Orlick, Intellian Technologies, Manal Tadros, Boeing

SSPI-WISE STORE