By Hannah Ashford
The Karman Project Announces 2025 Fellowship Selection Board
The Karman Project is proud to introduce the distinguished members of the 2025 Karman Fellowship Selection Board. This esteemed group has been convened with a vital mission: to identify the next generation of space leaders—individuals prepared to shape a more responsible, collaborative, and impactful space sector.
Chaired once again by Jean-Jacques Dordain, former Director General of the European Space Agency, the 2025 Board brings together an exceptional and truly international panel of experts. Spanning space agencies, industry, academia, innovation, and research, these individuals reflect the diverse perspectives and global mindset that sit at the heart of the Karman Fellowship.
This year, the Board welcomes several new jurors—each of whom has played a pivotal role in advancing the space sector in their own unique way. Their presence underscores the Fellowship's ongoing commitment to fresh perspectives, inclusive leadership, and the cultivation of global talent.
The selection process has been more competitive than ever. The Karman Project received over 400 applications from exactly 77 countries, a powerful testament to the global interest in shaping the future of space. From this remarkable pool, 50 outstanding candidates have been shortlisted for final review.
In just over a week, the Selection Board will convene to assess these candidates. With such a high caliber of applicants, the task is far from easy, and the Karman Project is deeply grateful for the discernment, dedication, and care each juror brings to this critical process.
The outcome of this year’s deliberations will be shared in May. The Karman Project extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who applied, as well as to the dedicated Shortlisting Committee working tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the shortlisted candidates: the community is cheering you on.
About The Karman Project
The Karman Project strengthens trust, fosters independent dialogue and encourages cooperation between global leaders in business, technology, politics, science and the arts who want to positively impact space. The Karman Project is a nonprofit and independent foundation headquartered in Germany.
Annexure: The Karman Project’s 2025 Fellowship Selection Board
1. Joan Chesoni, Director of the Board, Kenya Space Agency (Kenya)
2. Jean-Jacques Dordain, Chairman, Former Director General, European Space Agency (France)
3. David Dana, General Partner, Expansion Ventures (France)
4. Karen Hitschke, Co-Founder, Yunus Social Business; CEO, Building Bridges Foundation (Germany)
5. Garvey McIntosh, Senior Director of International Government Business, Axiom Space (United States of America)
6. Nicole Stott, Retired NASA Astronaut & Director, Space for Art Foundation (United States of America)
7. Valanathan Munsami, Chancellor, International Space University; Deputy CEO, Saudi Space Agency (South Africa)
8. Pieter van Beekhuizen, Chair, Netherlands Space Society (Netherlands)
9. Marc Ventresca, Professor, University of Oxford (United States of America)
10. Cheng Wang, Council Member & Secretary General, China Space Foundation (China)
11. Ayhan İncirci, Director of International Relations, Turkish Space Agency (Türkiye)
12. Eytan Stibbe, Astronaut & Chair, Rakia Mission (Israel)
13. Ji Wu, President, Chinese Society of Space Research (China)
14. Alejandro Roman, General Director of Aerospace Development, Paraguayan Space Agency (Paraguay)
15. Frank Salzgeber, Acting Vice Governor for Space, Saudi Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) (Germany)
16. Tim Parsons, Chair, Space Industry Association of Australia (Australia)
17. Hélène Huby, Chair, Karman Project; Co-Founder & CEO, The Exploration Company (France)
18. Aude Vignelles, Director, Vignelles Space (France)
19. Chris Blackerby, Group Chief Operating Officer, Astroscale (United States of America)
20. Clay Mowry, President, International Astronautical Federation (United States of America)
21. Masami Onoda, Director of International Relations, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Japan)
22. Ian Grosner, Head of Legal, Brazilian Space Agency (Brazil)
23. Asanda Ntisana, Stakeholder Liaison, South African National Space Agency (South Africa)
24. Tanja Masson-Zwaan, Assistant Professor & Deputy Director IIASL, Leiden Law School (Netherlands)
25. Davis Cook, Chairperson, Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (South Africa)
