MEET THE JUDGES

Natalia Larrera Brito, Euroconsult U.S. Director

Natalia is Director of Euroconsult US. Prior to this, she was a Principal Advisor at Euroconsult Canada. Since she joined the firm, Natalia has advised numerous international stakeholders in the space sector. She leads assignments for government and private organizations supporting the definition of space policies, investment strategies, and technology and market assessments.

​

Prior to joining Euroconsult, Natalia worked as Systems Engineer at MDA, Research Associate at NASA Ames and as a trainee at the European Space Agency (ESA). She holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from McGill University (Canada), a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio (Spain) and a Diploma in Astronomy and Planetary Science from the Open University UK. Natalia is also a global faculty member at the International Space University. She is the recipient of professional awards including SSPI 20 under 35 and the Promise Award.

Antonio Franchi, Head of 5G/6G NTN Programme Office, European Space Agency (ESA)

Antonio Franchi works at the European Space Agency as the Head of 5G/6G NTN Programme Office in the Telecommunications & Integrated Applications Directorate.

​

Antonio has over 30 years of experience in the satellite telecommunications industry. Prior to ESA, Antonio worked for over 20 years with a major global satellite operator, spearheading a new generation of satellite communications systems, covering various technical and managerial responsibilities for design, development, implementation and operation of advanced satellite systems and networks.

​

Antonio received an MSc in Electronic Engineering from the University of Rome and an MBA from the London Business School.

​

He is author of 30+ articles and papers published at international conferences and professional magazines, and he holds six international patents in the satcom field.

​

Christine Joseph, Special Advisor, NOAA Office of Space Commerce

Christine Joseph serves as a Special Advisor at the Office of Space Commerce with NOAA and the Department of Commerce, currently supporting the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) program. Prior to her current role, Christine Joseph served as a legislative assistant with the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology – Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. Her professional interests include space policy, aerospace human factors, and human-machine interaction. She previously worked in the aerospace industry as a human systems engineer with Aurora Flight Sciences. Christine has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and Master’s degrees in aeronautics & astronautics and technology policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

​

Silvano Payne, Founder & CEO, Satnews Publishers

Over the past 35 years Silvano Payne has acted as Founder and CEO and of Satnews Publishers, a company specializing in publications and events catering to the commercial and military ends of the satellite communications industry.  In addition to his leadership role, Mr. Payne has written and spoken extensively about the industry throughout his career.

 

Satnews Publications gathers an extensive and eclectic group of readers, publishing both Satmagazine and MilsatMagazine, as well as daily and weekly email newsletters.  These publications are subscribed to by more then 25,000 readers and widely regarded as a foremost source of news within the industry.  In addition to publications Satnews produces and hosts three annual conferences on the business and finance of satellite systems.  

 

Silvano received a B.Sc in Mathematics, B.Sc Hons degree in Psychology, and MBA from the University of Cape Town.  He currently lives in Sonoma California and when not overseeing Satnews, can be found in the field or the cellar crafting fine wines.

Chris Quilty, Founder, Quilty Space

Chris Quilty is the founder and a partner of Quilty Space, which is an independent boutique offering subscription research, strategic advisory, and investment banking services across all aspects of the Satellite & Space industry. Prior to establishing Quilty Analytics (now Quilty Space) in 2016, Chris served as a sell side research analyst with Raymond James for 20 years, publishing hundreds of company-specific, macro, sector, and thematic research reports on the industrial, defense, space, wireless, and communications industries. Chris is widely-acknowledged as the leading Wall Street analyst on the Satellite & Space sector and has participated in 30+ capital markets transactions over the past five years valued at over $2.5 billion. Chris received a BS degree in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1994.