Board of Directors
-
Hira Nadeem
PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER
Hira Nadeem is a Space Systems Engineer on the Mission Operations team at Planet. She is completing her M.E.Sc. degree in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Western University's Institute for Earth and Space Exploration where she worked on applications of deep learning for autonomous lunar exploration missions. She received her B. Eng. from McMaster University. Hira is a strong believer in making space accessible and interdisciplinary. Through her involvement as the former President of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) Canada, and the Co-Founder of the McMaster Planetary Society, Hira has led teams to create opportunities for Canadian students and young professionals locally and nationally. She has worked on two cube satellite missions taking part in the Canadian CubeSat Project with the Canadian Space Agency - McMaster NEUDOSE as the former Operations and Co-Project Manager, and Western’s Ukpik-1 mission as the Attitude Determination and Control System Lead.
Hira was selected as the first Canadian Brooke Owens Fellow with the opportunity to intern at Planet in San Francisco, CA in the fall of 2020. As an alumni, she continues to work with the Brooke Owens Fellowship to support and advise as the fellowship model expands internationally.
-
-
Sam Condie
DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT
Sam is a space policy advisor at Global Affairs Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development). In collaboration with other government departments, she works on developing and advancing Canada’s interests on a variety of international space policy topics at forums including the United Nations. While also at Global Affairs Canada, Sam previously worked as a space trade commissioner helping Canadian companies expand to new international markets. Passionate about learning Sam completed two separate degrees simultaneously at Western University; a BA in Honours Business Administration from Ivey Business School and BA in Honours Specialization in Political Science.
-
Dr. Gavin Tolometti
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Gavin Tolometti is a Customer Support Engineering with SkyWatch, in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario. His role involves providing customer services for clients acquiring and purchasing satellite imagery, and works to consult knowledge on the use of satellite imagery for Earth Observation. Gavin is passionate about remote sensing data analysis and Earth Observation, stemming from his previous role as a postdoctoral associate and PhD candidate at Western University where his research focus was on understanding how lava flows on Earth (completed up to six successful field expeditions in Idaho, Iceland, Lanzarote, and northern Labrador), which are similar to lunar and Martian lava flows, are emplaced based on radar observation data. Gavin’s research background includes geologic fieldwork, geochemistry, mineralogy, remote sensing, and planetary image analysis. He is an active science communicator (before SkyWatch, he was an Outreach Coordinator with Western University’s Faculty of Engineering), and is the once creator and host of the space podcast “The Diaries of Space Explorers”.
-
Eric van Velzen
DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
Eric graduated from the Master of Applied Science program at the Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto in 2023. During this degree, he worked hands-on in the mechanical design, assembly, and testing of small spacecraft for several different missions, some of which are now operating in space. He previously received his undergraduate degree in the Aerospace specialization of the Engineering Science program from the University of Toronto. Eric values building and supporting communities in the deeply technical space sector to create a more welcoming industry for people of all backgrounds. He first found community in the space sector during his undergraduate degree while part of the University of Toronto Aerospace Team’s student-led cube satellite team, where he spent several years in leadership roles and as an advisor. In recognition of his positive impact on this team, Eric was selected as a finalist for the inaugural Troost ILead Difference Maker Award. Eric began volunteering with Zenith in 2021 during its founding year and is now proud to support the Zenith mission as part of the leadership team.
-
Paula Bosca
DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL RELATIONS
Paula is a Satellite Operations Specialist at Kepler Commuications in Toronto. She is a graduate of the Integrated Sciences, Physics program at McMaster University. While at McMaster, she gained experience with space missions through her contributions to the NEUDOSE CubeSat team, stratospheric balloon and reduced gravity experiments. Upon graduating, she was a Zenith Fellow in the inaugural class of 2022. She loves finding the intersections of disciplines and integrating aspects of each to discover incredible new things. Particularly passionate about learning and asking questions, you'll often find her craning her neck and staring up at the night sky.
Volunteers
-
Mavesa Nguyen
FELLOWSHIP DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Mavesa is an Jr Mission Operations Engineer at MDA Space, providing real-time engineering support for Canadarm2 & Dextre at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). She recently obtained a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. During her university years, Mavesa held various roles with the McGill Rocket Team, assisting in the launch of multiple generations of sounding rockets and leading several recovery design and testing initiatives such as high-altitude balloons and ejection blast chambers. Passionate about promoting aerospace opportunities for Canadian youths from all backgrounds, Mavesa served as President of the Montreal Student Space Associations (MSSA), coordinating several editions of the Montreal Space Symposium and NASA Space Apps Challenge in Montreal. She also served as Vice-President Internal of the McGill Institute for Aerospace Engineering (MIAE). Since 2021, she has been involved with Zenith Pathways, aiming to expand the fellowship's activities scope to support Zenith Fellows in their career growth.
-
Juwairiah Zia
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Juwairiah is currently working on the thesis for her M.Sc. Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Manitoba. She is aspiring to become a computer vision and deep learning engineer. She is pursuing her interest in the space industry by learning to build an imaging system for the cube-SAT at the University of Manitoba Space Applications and Technology Society. Helping Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation is an exciting opportunity to give back and make a difference as a women engineer while challenging herself.
-
Jacob von Chorus
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Jacob is currently working on a Master of Applied Science degree at the University of Toronto's Space Flight Laboratory. There, he is learning to design, build, and analyze small spacecraft. He has a strong interest in electromagnetics which he has been applying to his graduate work. Prior to his master's, Jacob completed his undergrad in Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University where he specialized in avionics. There, he worked on the satellite design team, developing a thermal imaging payload for a forest fire detection nanosatellite. Jacob also spent several years working in the high tech industry where he developed technologies for high performance video and imaging systems. Outside of school, Jacob enjoys teaching, the outdoors, and is an avid reader of science fiction.
-
Britt Wiseman
MENTORSHIP COORDINATOR
Britt is currently a medical student at the University of Alberta. She has an interest in emergency and extreme medicine, with aspirations to transition into a career in aerospace medicine. She is a pilot working towards her commercial license and aerobatics rating, and a PADI rescue SCUBA diver working towards her DiveMaster certification. She has pursued research in an array of sectors including molecular & cellular biology, biochemistry, medical anthropology/gender, ethics, and space communications- and is participating in ongoing research throughout her medical schooling in emergency medicine and space/astronaut health. She is currently the AMSRO (Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization) co-chair for International Outreach for North America, and a medical student representative for CSAM (Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine). Additionally, she was selected as a scholarship student to attend the International Space Universities Space Studies Course in Brazil, 2023. As the mentorship coordinator for Zenith Pathways, she is excited to provide support to students who want to build a career in the space sector in Canada.
-
Sean Mitra
VOLUNTEER, FELLOWSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Sean is a lawyer with two current roles - Lawyer with Caravel Law and Co-Founder and Chief-Legal-Officer for the Lunar Water Supply Company - an early stage space startup. He takes pride in his wide ranging and unconventional career so far - he's worked at all levels of government as well as in private practice, and he's touched on areas of law including antitrust, intellectual property, commercial, and litigation. Most of all, Sean has been thrilled to discover the pace at which the space sector is growing and is passionate about making it easier for Canadians to take part.
-
Abby MacGillivray
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Abby MacGillivray is a 2022 graduate of the Aerospace: Space Systems Design Engineering program at Carleton University in Ottawa, ON. She has experience working on attitude determination and control for CubeSat spacecraft, as well as software-defined radio communications. She has also worked at QEYnet, conducting environmental qualification testing and development for a space-based quantum communications system. Currently, she is pursuing an MASc in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Toronto's Space Flight Laboratory, working on designing, building, and testing microsatellite spacecraft. Abby was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Zenith Canada Pathways Fellowship program. Outside of building space systems, she can be found skiing, hiking, or biking!
-
Logan Arnold
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Logan is a graduate student working on a MASc in Aerospace Engineering at the Space Flight Laboratory (University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies). She has a Biomedical Engineering degree with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Guelph. Logan has experience working on deployables, thermal design, and spacecraft assembly and testing. Logan has been working on social media and website design for Zenith Pathways, helping Canadians learn about this fellowship program!
-
Mohammad Amin
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Mohammad Amin is a Consultant at Deloitte’s Analytics and AI practice. He has a background in the space and tech industry, where he led Deloitte Canada’s Gravity Challenge in 2022 and currently supports various initiatives around informing ESG insights using novel satellite technologies.
-
Abby Lee
ALUMNI MENTORSHIP COORDINATOR
Abby is in her final year at Queen’s University studying mechanical engineering. Abby has been on her school’s rocket team for four years and is currently the team’s President. Abby was a fellow in Zenith’s inaugural class and proceeding that spent a year working for Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab. There, she had the opportunity to conduct research on the effects of radiation on sensors in orbit and presented her research to secure first place at the Small Sat Student Competition. Abby is representing Zenith in the Aurelia Institute’s 2024 Zero Gravity flight and she is currently pursuing her pilot’s license in her free time. Abby is excited to continue to connect people of the aerospace industry through Zenith’s mentorship program.
-
Christos Liaconis
ALUMNI COORDINATOR
Christos is currently pursing a Master of Applied Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto. There, he is learning how to design, build, test, and commission microsatellites. Prior to his Master’s, he attended McMaster University where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Interdisciplinary Minor in Sustainability. During his time at McMaster, Christos was first introduced to the space industry through his work on the McMaster NEUDOSE CubeSat Mission. As a part of this team, he led the Mechanical subsystem through the critical design phase and into the assembly, integration, and testing phase. Christos has also spent time in various student groups, advocating for the improvement of student life on campus, and ensuring incoming students transition well into university life. Christos was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Zenith Canada Pathways Fellowship program. As Alumni Co-Ordinator, he is helping manage our ever-expanding alumni network. Outside of academics, Christos enjoys rock climbing, film, and golfing.
-
Charles Lee
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Charles Lee is in his final year of Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. During this degree, he specialized in software and electrical engineering, and he hopes to combine that with his background in physics to work on space imaging and exploration. He was a fellow during Zenith's inaugural class and later worked for 8 months at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab. Charles is passionate about building communities wherever he goes, and he has been involved in various groups throughout the course of his time at UBC. He was a member of UBC A Cappella, a co-captain of the cubesat design team UBC Orbit, and is currently serving as a co-president for his program's undergrad society. He is thrilled to be a part of the Zenith community and running the social media accounts to spread the reach of the foundation across all of Canada. Outside of his involvements, he can be found wandering around with his camera.