PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER

Hira Nadeem is a Space Systems Engineer on the Mission Operations team at Planet in San Francisco, California. She completed 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.

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DIRECTOR OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION & CO-FOUNDER

Zaid is a space systems specialist. He is driven by human-centered design and is passionate about engineering our collective future on Earth and in space through science, design and innovation.

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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.

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DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

Eric is a Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Rocket Lab USA, part of a great team delivering exciting space missions. He completed 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 GHGSat and NASA’s Aspera mission. He 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 proud to support the Zenith mission as part of the leadership team.

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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.

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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Charles Lee is an engineering physicist with an interest in space instrumentation. He graduated from a B.ASc. in Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia and is currently completing a M.Sc. degree in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manitoba. He is currently working on simulating a multi-object spectrograph payload for CASTOR, Canada's proposed flagship space telescope mission.Charles was selected as a Zenith Fellow for the inaugural Class of 2022. He later interned for 12 months at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab as a software engineer. During his undergrad, he was a part of UBC Orbit, the first Canadian CubeSat team to be accepted into ESA Academy's Fly Your Satellite program. He has been involved with Zenith since his participation in the program in 2022 and is passionate about providing opportunities for students in Canada. Outside of his involvements, Charles enjoys being an amateur at bouldering, photography, and bass guitar.

DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS

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.

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DIRECTOR OF FINANCE