Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari is an engineer, serial entrepreneur, and the first self-funded woman to travel to the International Space Station, now serving as the CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation. She champions innovation and STEM education, providing significant value to brands seeking to align with leadership in technology, space exploration, and social impact. After becoming the first self-funded woman to travel to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari cemented her status as a pioneer in space exploration and entrepreneurship. During her landmark 10-day mission, she conducted experiments for the European Space Agency and became the first person to publish a weblog from space.

Her contributions to science and technology have been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Science from George Mason University in 2012 and another from Utah Valley University in 2013. In 2015, the National Space Society honored her with the prestigious Space Pioneer Award for ‘Service to the Space Community.’ Highlighting her diverse impact, Ansari represented director Asghar Farhadi at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017, underscoring her role as a prominent global figure. Since 2018, Ansari has served as the CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation, where she continues to champion radical breakthroughs and drive innovative solutions to humanity’s grand challenges. As a leading voice in technology, space exploration, and social impact, she provides significant value to brands and organizations seeking to align with leadership in these critical areas, reinforcing her dedication to fostering a more innovative and equitable future.