Session Information:

How to Leverage Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Global Space Ecosystem

Space — once considered the final frontier and only accessible to a select few — is now home to the most dynamic and innovative ecosystems on the planet. While not every person will get to ride on a rocket or see one lift off, everyone — students, young leaders, entrepreneurs, small businesses and professionals — can become contributors to the $424B and growing space economy.

Despite recent excitement around SpaceX and NASA, you may not be aware that the technologies that enable space access and exploration have real-world applications that shape our daily lives. In fact, every community, infrastructure and aspect of modern life on planet Earth is dependent on space-related technologies, like weather forecasting, manufacturing goods, global communications, healthcare, and farming.

Advocating for space innovation to better life on Earth, Shelli will walk you through a pragmatic Workforce Development Roadmap to seizing opportunities in the global space ecosystem.

No matter what your demographic, skill set or current path, you will walk away from Shelli’s session with solid footing on how you can pursue opportunities as a job, career, innovator, supplier, grantor, funder, partner, sponsor or collaborator in the bigger mission of bringing space technology innovation to improving life on Earth.

Shelli will highlight key opportunities in space tech innovation:

* Top technologies to watch in the space industry

* 1000’s of NASA space innovation patents waiting for commercialization

* Space commerce entrepreneurship programs

* Space tech transfer and insertion as a supplier to new space ventures

* Becoming a tech supplier to commercial and government enterprises

Session Transcript:

To have Shelley Brunswick with us, she is the CEO of Space Foundation. She brings a broad perspective and deep vision of the global space ecosystem to us today.

... Distinguished Career as a space acquisition and program management leader in congressional liaison for the US. Air Force, to her current role, including overseeing, overseeing the Center for Innovation in Education, Symposium 365, and Global Alliance.

Advocating for a space technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, diversity, and inclusion, Shelley collaborates with organizations around the world to connect commercial, government and educational sectors.

Shelley actively participates with women in aerospace foundation, women's global gathering, United Nations Space for Women, women, tech network, world business angels invest in the Farro, New York University, though there's Manufacturers, Edge, and Colorado Springs, Chamber, and EDC. It's a real honor to have you here with us, Shelly. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with more than 2000 of our global participants, the journey of excellence and innovation at the Space Foundation under your leadership.

Well, thank you so much, Joe. Say it's an honor to be joining you here today, as well as our esteemed guests who are joining us to learn more about space innovation and how we look at that, creating more access and opportunity. I also want to thank your sponsors for making today possible, so thank you. What I'd like to do is go through some of my slides, and walk you through why is space so important.

Why are we seeing this surge in interest and activity and investment Space? We believe that space for you is space for all though.

When we advocate for innovating, we're bettering life here on Earth, and I'm going to walk you through. What does that innovation mean?

Josy, as you shared.

Yeah, sure. Just as you shared, the Space Foundation has those three main areas.

Our Center for Innovation in Education is about lifelong learning platform for teachers, students, entrepreneurs, business leaders. We have our Symposium 365, which is the Global Premier Source for Space Media and events, and we have our global alliance, which is a collaborative forum.

So, let's talk a little bit about what is this space economy, and why is it so important, and why are we hearing so much about it now? I mean, you can't turn on a news channel and not hear about exciting space news.

So the global space ecosystem in 20 19, according to the Space Foundation, was $424 billion.

And depending what analyst you listen to, it could be Bank of America, UPS, Morgan Stanley.

They're projecting that global space ecosystem is going to grow tripling, to one point two trillion by 2030. And then we're seeing, by 2040, it could be more than $3000 billion. So you're seeing exponential growth and opportunity in this space ecosystem. More than 85 countries are now participating in the space ecosystem as well.

And here in the US, we look at that space ecosystem, is 80% commercial.

So many people are thinking about NASA or the European Space Agency or the Chinese Space Agency, but really in the US, 80% is commercial, and that means it's jobs, an economic opportunity.

So, as you're thinking about that space ecosystem, you're thinking about launch vehicles and satellites, and going to Mars and lunar activity.

But I also want you to think about those technologies that are part of that space ecosystem.

Data analytics, there's so much information coming off sensors, especially sensors in space.

We need artificial intelligence to combine with data analytics and put the human in the loop to create products and actionable services. And so right now we don't have enough individuals that are pursuing data analytics, but that as part of the space ecosystem, energy and energy storage solutions to go to Mars. We know we need different technology than the solar panels or better battery storage solutions we have. So we need to look at new and different energy storage solutions.

But we can also use that technology here on Earth as we want to capture more non carbon emitting energy solutions.

We look at health care.

When you think about health care, mammogram technology, cataract surgery. And so many more technologies have come from space.

And as we look to go to Mars, we will have to look at extending and slowing the aging process for humans. What technologies will those unlock bringing pharmaceuticals to market faster using microgravity environment?

Miniaturization of products. Advanced manufacturing, the entire ecosystem, not just for space, but aerospace and defense, our food supply industry run on manufacturing.

So, as I walked you through some of this, you can see where that emerging technology is interfacing with space technology.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about this, or you want an idea to become an entrepreneur, a great place to start that look at the NASA technology transfer Office. Many of these ideas I've just shared with you, whether it's agriculture, telecommunications, energy, health, transportation, and more. NASA has patents that are waiting to be commercialized and brought to market, as well as the European space agency.

So, if you're looking for great ideas or more information, again, please go to the NASA Technology Transfer Office.

I shared a little, just say, with you and the audience about what are some of these space technologies that are benefiting us right now on Earth. Many times, people don't realize how every day, we're interacting with space technology.

Whether it's the cell phone you're using, athletic shoes, you're wearing or cordless power tools, you're utilizing, those all have come from Space Technology.

We continue to look how space technology benefits our lives with better weather forecasting. If we're transporting goods and services around the world, we need to have good weather. We don't want cargo ships running into hurricanes, or we don't want to get on airplanes that are going to travel somewhere without the pilots having the best weather prediction. That is coming from those space satellites.

But we also look at fire retardant clothing firefighter's in children, that all that fire retardant application came from space technology.

And again, I share that there's many healthcare advantages to incorporating today's technology and developing it.

So as we look at that global space ecosystem, one, we're looking at that $424 billion number, Again, I highlight that 80% is commercial, and that 20% is government spending, and we've broken out the government, spending by US government and all other governments. But we are seeing other governments, such as China and the UK. And India and Germany, investing more in space, innovation, and technology.

But really the big grow is going to come from those investors and entrepreneurs that want to take space technology and commercialize it.

it here on earth to help make our lives better.

So, as you can see, space. Technology has really changed 40 years ago, we really looked at space as you worked for the government, whether it was a US government or another government agency, military, or civil such as NASA, or the US. Air Force. Or you worked for a contractor, Lockheed Martin, or United Launch Alliance, or others, that created and provided space technology solutions to the government.

But that pendulum has swung now where you see a variety of entrepreneurs now leading the way in space technology. Many folks are aware of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, but there are so many others.

And also, when we look back 40 years, we really looked at a different workforce. We looked at a workforce that was primarily stem related, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Now, we're looking at a pendulum that is allowing all citizens to find a place in this space ecosystem.

That is non stem to traditional careers such as, you know, we still need plumbers and electricians and transportation experts.

We need trades workers, we need artists, we need business entrepreneurs and innovators. We need business administrators as well as stem professionals.

So now the opportunity has opened.

We also look at creating lifelong learning. So, as this technology is coming on board or see in jobs that are going away, So, technology is going to replace jobs. A number of jobs will go away by 2025 and 20 30. What are those new jobs coming on board? How will they incorporate the technology we're learning?

one of the examples I always like to share is mechanics. You know, 40 years ago you took your car to the mechanic, they opened the hood, they tinkered, they figured out what was wrong, and they repaired it.

Now, you bring car to the mechanic, and the mechanic has a diagnostic tool that plugs into the car, the car runs a diagnostic and tells the mechanic what's wrong with it, what might need to be looked at. So, again, it's about embracing that technology and how jeong jobs may change with that technology.

So we're looking at how do we create that lifelong learning?

You know, it's early childhood immersion in the day, in the classroom with this technology, is providing career paths and role models and mentors. And then it's providing upskilling and re skilling as the technology continues to evolve.

We also want to look and embracing a workforce that has been underrepresented in the technology and space sector. And in the US, we would call that minorities and women. But really, globally, we also are looking at regions around the world that have not been part of the space innovation sector. And that could be parts of Africa or the Middle East, or India or South America. And we want to help create that access and opportunity globally.

So I share with you there is a challenge to this emerging technology and space innovation. We do have that workforce shortage. We need more individuals to come into these new careers, and those individuals are in the workforce, but they are not necessarily in the space ecosystem. They may, there are an untapped workforce and they could be women and minorities.

I also like to say they could be in the inner city or rural communities that don't necessarily think that space is a career path for them.

So we need to help create that awareness and help transition individuals who have not been part of the space ecosystem into the space ecosystem.

We also look at a skills deficit.

Right now, even during koven, the space industry is hiring. We are open for business. There are jobs that are going unfilled.

The challenge is I have a workforce that has a skills mismatch. And that skills mismatch could be. We could look at the entertainment industry or the tourism industry.

We know during cold that a number of workforce around the world has been laid off and displaced but we could look at re skilling and upskilling them into a career path related to space. And not all career paths require that PHD.

Some require internships or a certificate, a high school diploma or a college education, again, re skilling and upskilling with a community college or an intern program. And again, PHDs.

So there's opportunity for all individuals throughout our workforce to find a new opportunity if they've been displaced.

Then again, we see that innovation gap, all that technology that's coming to market with thousands of patents that are waiting at NASA and Isa Technology Transfer Office that are waiting to be commercialized and brought to market and unlock innovation. When I talk about this innovation, let me put this in a number.

Since 19 84, in the US, Global positioning System GPS has unlocked one point four trillion dollars in economic opportunity just in the US alone.

GPS is a US product that was deployed by the US Government, so US Government investment.

And in the US alone, that has unlocked one point four trillion dollars.

Just in the US, think about that globally.

So when I'm talking about this innovation, there's huge opportunities to create innovation, but also create jobs.

For that reason, the Space Foundation has launched our Center for Innovation in education.

This platform is about lifelong learning and allowing all citizens to be able to find their place in that global space ecosystem, whether it's students and teachers, how do we bring that technology into the classroom? So we show students those multitude of career paths teachers, so they're able to help students find their way.

Entrepreneurs, how they can navigate this global ecosystem. And, again, professionals who are already in the space ecosystem or in the technology arena.

So, we're looking at that workforce of today, as well as the future workforce.

So, how does the space Foundation operate? How do we work while we look at partnerships?

Sponsorships, Grant Fundraising, Endowment is all about working together to solve greater goals than we can solve alone.

The Space Foundation in our Center for Innovation in Education has a workforce development roadmap, and the five steps are awareness, and that's why I'm joining you today. This is about creating awareness about these wonderful opportunities that await individuals, who want to join us in this space ecosystem. It's then creating access, How do individuals find a way into this space ecosystem, and I shared one of those.

For those who want to be entrepreneurs and are looking for an idea, you could go to that NASA Technology Transfer Office. And, look, if there's a technology you would try, like to bring to market, you could apply for that patent. Sometimes, you can apply for the seed funding to initially start that process.

There's also training. Even if you want to come into the space ecosystem, you may need to be re skilled or unskilled, whether it's in advanced manufacturing or data analytics. There could be a need to have the proper training.

It's about finding the connections. This program is a wonderful opportunity for building connections and relationships. We also have our Space Foundation, 365, Virtual, on, on, on Asset Program, that you can access, as well as our in person Symposium event. That will take place in August, that will be a Hybrid Model still during coven, as well as an April of 2022. That will be a full version, where we like to bring the global space ecosystem together, in Colorado Springs.

Which is approximately 15,000 people, military, commercial, civil, international. So, it's about creating those connections with that ecosystem. And, of course, many times, I like to say, it all starts with mentorship. I have that listed as the fist step.

But many times finding a good mentor, or a champion or a coach can be the first step, and joining us in this space ecosystem.

So this is how the space Foundation likes to operate.

You are on that circle that says base foundation, and as you look out, you're looking at who is the audience you want to have an impact with. So, let's say it is business leaders? You're looking to invest in entrepreneurship. So we may look at small business and entrepreneurs as our target audience.

We then go to the next ring that says Outcomes. What are the measures of Success if you want to invest in creating more entrepreneurship and innovation. How do we measure that success.

Then we look at the outer ring and say, What program does this base foundation have? Do we meet all your measures of success?

Cingular as as the space foundation alone?

Or do we look to partner with an innovation hub, or an incubator or a university, to create a holistic approach to accomplishing your goals and objectives?

And then on the sides, I have the 16 different areas the Space Foundation sees as the space ecosystem.

So, you'll see one of those is definitely space, and that's where you'll find Elon Musk and launch vehicles.

But you can also see the other areas I spoke about: agriculture, energy, environment, fintech, financial, our entire financial system is running on space technology, the Internet of Things, and manufacturing. So, again, if you want to join us in the space ecosystem, be an investor or be an entrepreneur for find your career.

There are a number of different disciplines you can participate in.

Let me walk you through a couple of these examples.

Ah, for your audience that is interested in entrepreneurship, we launched our Space Commerce Entrepreneurship program. Initially, it was in partnership with the Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency.

And our goal was to create that access for minority businesses, women, and other underserved communities. We opened it up to college students as well.

To find a pathway into the space ecosystem, in less than a year, we are able to support 275 plus underrepresented entrepreneurs.

We awarded 18 of them, scholarships to come to our Space Symposium, that event, where we bring 15,000 people together, so they could interact and network with entrepreneurs, and other space, individuals, and like minded individuals.

one of those individuals, one of those startups, was able to change their product line based on our program and our feedback. Create a vertical integration network with companies, both government, and large companies that would be interested in supporting them, And they were able to walk out with several letters of interest. We also have another company I just heard, from this week that went through our program, that just has been awarded a government grant to continue the next phase of their research.

So, again, our goal with these programs is to create a trajectory for those companies, to come into the space ecosystem, create a product or service, unlock that innovation, and create success for themselves, but also benefit humanity.

And, again, this follows our five step workforce development roadmap, creating that awareness, access, training, connecting, and mentoring. You can go to our website at space foundation dot org, to see 15 of our free webinars, and learn more about what does it mean to become part of the space ecosystem.

The next thing I'd like to share is we believe entrepreneurship is so important.

We've actually curated a program to bring into junior high and high school, called our Junior Space Entrepreneurship Program.

And for this program, we partnered with Lockheed Martin, NASA and junior achievement. And, again, it was all bringing those 21st century skills into the classroom. Creating a T mean culture, learning about going to Mars, and safely returning.

But also, then, What did we learn from going to Mars? Was there something we could commercialize and create a business and bring it to market?

And, again, this is about, instilling innovation and entrepreneurship in our future workforce.

So we looked again at following our workforce development roadmap of awareness, access, training, connecting, and mentoring.

I shared with you that many of these steps with that workforce development roadmap start with networking and mentorship. Here's a few great areas you could look at. In addition to ..., United Nations Face for Women Mentor Network Program has mentors around the world that could help you find your trajectory and create access into the space ecosystem.

Space Generation Advisory Council also has global connections, women in Aerospace, women tech network. And although it says women tech network, that is open to minorities and diversity throughout the world, and they have a wonderful mentoring program, as well as online program.

Code Air, as us space, ecosystem, research, activity that if you're interested in conducting research, you could apply to be a researcher there. And of course, the women's global gathering at our annual Space Symposium.

I did share with you our space symposium 365, which is our year round virtual platform for you to connect with the global space ecosystem.

So, if you're interested in joining us at the Space Foundation, you can go to our website and learn more space foundation dot org. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and more.

So, what I'd like to do now is, I'm going to stop sharing because I'd like to come back and talk with you more and you'll say I know has some questions that we're going to take and go from there.

Thank you so much as Shelly for the, this insights and deals into into the space foundation and what's in what's happening there.

And that, I'm going to change my background here for our digital transformation focus that we have, and the, and the so, one of the first things that emerge in the questions, and I ask the audience to keep those in those questions I'm going to pass as many as possible to Shelly. And the time that we have away or here is that you have done some great work looks from your presentation on really increasing the engagement of diverse audience and, and, and bring in, you know, minorities and women in the, in the, into this ecosystem.

So, so, so, one of the themes and questions is that what have you learned so far in this process? how has that progressed? Any, any success stories that you can share about bringing this somewhat under represented communities each year, into the ecosystem?

Absolutely. Well, again, I shared with you that the Space Foundation Center for Innovation and Education is about creating that access and opportunity, so we do many programs. It could be a girl stema that to talk about space and create those career path or partnerships. We're also looking to partner with different states in the United States to create more access and opportunity for young girls to find career paths.

And again, we look at that United Nations Office of Outerspace Affairs, Space for Women Mentoring Program. That is all about creating access, an opportunity to allow women and girls throughout the world to find a way into this space ecosystem.

And again, Josie, as I shared, it's, it's more than just launch vehicles and going to Mars, and although those are awesome, it's also about health care, and advanced manufacturing, and data analytics, and robotics. So what we want to do, if you go to that UN website, you'll see that the mentors that are up there, are very diverse.

And I represent the business side and entrepreneurial side, but we have doctors and healthcare, one is from Canada, we have doctors from Africa that are taking space technology and applying it to better agricultural methods. So I share with you, Josie that, that, that is one great way of helping to break down barriers, and create access into this space ecosystem.

That's terrific, Shelley.

There are a few questions here about your, about your own, personal and professional journey. So, if you can tell us a little bit about yourself, just, how did you, how did you end up coming into this direction if you're a person, and really your professional career?

Well, that's a great question. And thank you so much for asking, because everyone has a different career path. And, again, it's about sharing and creating that role, model and access. So, I always like to say my career has three different chapters.

So that first chapter is, I enlisted in the US Air Force, right out of high school. So I did not go to college right out of high school. So again, you don't have to go to college right away. You can find what is the best path for you. College is one path, but there are many others. So I enlisted in the US Air Force, and I was a personnel specialist.

And Joe say, I'll have to admit, I had the travel bug, so the Air Force was wonderful. It took me internationally to be stationed in Turkey and Germany.

And during those times I was able to serve my country during the day, travel the beautiful countryside of Turkey and Germany and Europe.

But also I did start going to college at night and earning my college degree so when I was still enlisted, I was stationed at the US Air Force Academy, which is one of the primary commissioning sources for the US. Air Force.

And I had some champions that supported me and encouraged me to apply to become an officer in the Air Force.

Now, during my presentation, I shared that you should have mentors, coaches, and champions.

Now, a champion is someone who is very senior to you that can help you position yourself in your career move. And some of those champions I had, were the Wing Commander, the base Commander, at the Air Force Academy, and they, again, encouraged me to apply to be an officer. And they supported me with letters of recommendation. So I did apply to be an officer.

And I do not have a stem degree. So again, I will highlight, in the past, you really had to have a stem degree to be part of the space ecosystem.

I have a business background.

At that time, the Air Force was looking for stem professionals in my opportunity to be selected was 12%, 12, 1, 2, But I applied because you should always go for it. You should always try, don't, don't give up, Don't have regrets.

I applied and the first time around, I was not selected.

However, in the Air Force, your application will automatically meet a second selection board. So you could just let your application go, or you could update it, you could go back to your champions and ask them to redo their letters of recommendation.

You could update your answers, you know, your narrative, your why you want to be an officer, I did all those things, I went back to those champions, I updated those letters, I updated my application, because you should always put your best foot forward.

Even if the odds might be against you, you always want to do your best, because somebody else may be watching you and seeing how hard you work. How you put yourself out there and present your best. So, that's what I did.

And, on the second board, I was selected to be an officer in the Air Force, and I was selected to be a Space Acquisition Officer.

I didn't really know what that was, but I was excited to be an officer and that started my journey into this aerospace and space ecosystem.

Now, I share, I didn't really want to be that space acquisition officer, and, again, this started, I should highlight the second chapter of my journey being an officer.

I didn't know what a space acquisition officer was, but I'm going to share with your listeners that that means being a project manager.

I really wanted to do something I knew, which was Personnel, And so I went back to the Air Force and said, Could I go, Can I be a Personnel officer?

And they said, We really need you to do this. So, I share with your audience, again. Don't be afraid to try new things.

Get comfortable being outside your comfort zone because that's where real opportunity takes place. I'm so grateful.

The Air Force helped me make this decision.

I then became a space acquisition officer. I was stationed at the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, and that's where I learned about ground station and launch vehicles and on orbit assets and herbal planes.

I also did a tour with Boeing, where I was able to do and be an intern and learn about their C 17, but really about date arrives in the supply chain, and how critical that supply chain and manufacturing is to the aerospace and defense industry.

I also was a Professor of Acquisition based Acquisition at Defense Acquisition University.

And then I culminated my career in the Air Force working on Capitol Hill as an Air Force Budget and appropriation liaison, securing the budget to support the air force's programs.

And that ended my second chapter, and now I'm on my third chapter, which is being the Chief Operating Officer at the Space Foundation. And so, it's a privilege to talk to you today.

And this chapter has been so exciting, because it's allowing me to take all the things I've learned over the last 30 years, and share them with others to create opportunity for the next generation to join me in this space ecosystem. So thank you, Joseph, are asking.

So that is tourists, and what a great, the journey track record you have developed in each one of those stages. And it's so wonderful to see that you're in a position now to serve in and help others, you know, come along a similar journey. And, in that time, as you mentioned in your presentation, where, where, where is the space ecosystem is really kind of expanding exponentially. Me, if you go a few decades back, you know, you think about space to think about as you think about JPL. You think about this very kind of niche type of things, or maybe I want to be an astronaut. This is the, kind of people think about it, and then they say, Wow, you know, the odds are very small, so I'm not even going to try. And it's not completely true as you as you depicted. There's so many diverse opportunities in the space program, But then those opportunities have scale exponentially. As we get more private.

You know, industry scan, private organizations come into the fold with space-x, and Blue Orange, and Virgin Galactic, Galactic, and a whole long list of organizations that are coming to the space program space programs.

Now in space tourism. You shared the numbers this with us, which are amazing. Curious about your perspective in the next, let's say, 5 to 10 years. What, what, what are you expecting terms of the development of the space ecosystem is it more about, you know, Mars, exploration and tourism? Are there other components there? They're gonna become big, I mean, what does it look like if you choose if you dare to predict the future in the next 5 to 10 years well, there's a lot of exciting things going on and so we haven't even talked about it yet.

But as we look at that space-x industry growing, and again, you saw all those technologies I shared in my presentation.

You're also seeing the investment opportunities.

So in the past, you looked at a lot of investment strategies, where it had to be of venture capital or angel investors, or large companies that invested in that technology. But now you're seeing a very different landscape in how innovative technology can be brought to market.

And so you're seeing, there's a saying now, you can't spell space without back special purpose acquisition companywide, which is like a blank check.

But it's a way of bringing companies to market, whose value that's valuation may not be seen for several years. That.

That was not an investment strategy just 2 or three years ago.

And what a back does is it allows the company to come to market, and it allows retail investors that, again, we didn't see 4 or 5 years ago, retail investors, whether you're they're using a fidelity account or Robinhood account, invest in these sustainability, disruptive technologies that could change our world and make it a better place.

So, again, the investment strategy, is there, you're seeing ETFs come out, whether it's Kathy Woods ETF from arc, then you're seeing still the traditional mergers and acquisitions. So what I share with you just say is the timing is right.

For space technology, it's very exciting. Right now, it's disruptive. But there's also the ESG ESG and investors, the environmental, social and good governance that want to invest in technology that's going to better our lives. And so you're seeing a very large investment group that's part of that. So that wasn't exactly your question.

But I do think it's important to highlight how this emerging technology is really going to come to market and be financed. Because the financing strategy has changed. Which is going to allow more disruptive technology to be brought to market with different funding instrument.

So let's talk about your main question now. I'm going to see a number of jobs going away.

Technology is going to displace more individuals.

And so, what we need to do is really work together to create what are those new jobs that are going to come online similar to the mechanic. I described the mechanics jobs not going away, we're just going to change how the mechanic interacts with the car.

But, we also need to look at, how do we ensure that we're bringing more underrepresented groups into these technologies? You know, Is it women and diversity, inner city, rural communities, sub Sahara, Africa, South America?

We need to make sure that we're allowing all citizens on planet Earth to be part of this new wave of technology.

I absolutely do believe that the one point two trillion dollars space economy, that's being forecast by 2030 is realistic, potentially even low.

I do predict that 2040, that $3000 billion number, they're projecting is probably low. So, the space economy is definitely going to grow, that innovation is growing to grow.

So, I hope, that, kind of, answered your question, that we've gotta have the workers, the technology, and the investment strategy to make this synergy happen in IMC in those three players all come to the table, to really allow this to happen.

Absolutely. That's, that's, that's, those are great insights, Shelley. I'm going to change gears with you, share something from my own personal perspective. And the, and the, and the, and try to understand how you're bringing women into the fold, on that, you know, in a field that where women have been on the representative for decades. And, and I will, I will highlight that because on my own personal professional experience, for the past 25 years, I have worked with very larger global organizations on creating ecosystems for innovation, acceleration in intra partnership, Not entrepreneurship. That partnership, which there's some similarities and some significant differences.

But that while we have learned what she was, by chance, I must say never designed it, with that intent, is that we ended up operating in areas that are very male dominated, Lisa operations and technology. Which, just by the nature and the evolution of those areas, have a high prefer, a much higher proportion of males than females.

But what we have observe is that when we create a meritocracy of ideas with clear execution mechanisms, and we provide just enough structure, that that is clear how I engage in the system.

While we have seen is a flourishing booming of collaborative leadership, any, specifically by women, in where we're over 30,000 excellence and innovation leaders that we have worked with.

When we look at this subset of really successful ones, more than half of those are actually females, which was never a design. It was never looking for equity of outcomes or anything like that. It was really on the accessibility and equal opportunity where their collaborative leadership skills have really flourish in. The innovation has real, They have really accelerate innovation. Now. I have my own hypothesis, I think partially is because women bring different perspectives, still male dominated fields, and we both know that the essence of innovation is the ability to take different perspectives and opportunities. So, my curiosity is, I, know you have your, such a strong now in champion for women, and you're creating this mechanisms in, which, you know, diversity and inclusion is important to foster innovation. Are you experiencing some of this from your perspectives on the entrepreneurial world?

Are you seeing, not only that, more women that are standing up to participate, but they're actually becoming disproportionately successful? was their collaborative leadership skills? Is that something that you're observing?

So that is a great question, that I want to it is, it is more challenging for women and minorities to come into the entrepreneurial area.

They, they get less investment and they also have less mentorship and they have less networks. So, what I share with you is that one of the things we see with the Space Foundation space commerce program to bring more underrepresented groups in was, again, creating that access point.

Because once they're at the table, they have great ideas. They're solving challenges in a different way.

And that's the important thing about diversity, when you bring everyone to the table, you may learn that there are challenges that need to be solved, that you weren't, you weren't aware of, and, and the diversity may have a different way of approaching it, that becomes more profitable.

And that's what we've seen by companies and boards that have more diversity on them, is that they are more profitable. Bottom line, so, and so that's a good reason to do it in addition to ESG.

Another group that I work with is the World Business Angels Investment Forum, and I'm a senator for the US.

And I serve on the global women's committee, and we do see that disproportionate investment in women and that mentorship, so that's why I'm so passionate about mentorship, finding a mentor, whether it's Women tech network, World Business Angels investment forum finding that mentor. But I also share with you, Joe say it's important for investors to also understand how to look for those entrepreneurs. Especially if it's a, it's an entrepreneur who may not have the same background.

And understand how to come to the table. and be educated. to look at the, as you said, the merits of the idea and the thought process.

So that we can make sure that women and minorities do receive the investment capital or they receive your support with your network. So, that's one of the things as a mentor I, I do, is, how can I connect somebody?

And, an example is, one of the women I'm working with is a Native American.

So, I was able to connect her with an individual who is connected with multiple Native American businesses, to provide her with the real mentorship that could help her. I could help her with business mentorship, but this network was able to help her understand how to develop her products to better serve her customers, which was other Native Americans.

So, when you're a mentor, it's also about can you help bring those connections to the table someone may not have and and technology has really allowed us to have that opportunity.

I spoke to an entrepreneur in Uganda last week.

So, you know, although covert has drastically changed how we connect, thanks to space technology, and that we're using today, we are able to have mentoring sessions.

I have a mentee in Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Lagonda.

So I share with you that The covert has forced us to stay indoors, but we are still connecting, and maybe we're connecting more than we might have done before. So, I share that with you, too, and how we're connecting.

That's, That's wonderful. And, listen, right now, we're connecting over 2000 global participants, nearly 100 different countries. And the In the in this message is so important to, to so many who did not know enough about the Space Foundation, about the opportunities that exist going ahead.

And the fact that, you know, the Sky is not even the limit right now, we have this expanding space to to go into. Thank you so much, Shelley, for sharing your expertise with our global audience today. Thanks for your time, for your mentorship, for your leadership with this Space Foundation.

And doing in your servitude, in leading this programs that they'll, they'll create significant financial and social impact for years to come. So, we're grateful for your leadership and for taking the time to share that with us today.

Well, thank you, Joe. Say I want to thank you for inviting me to join you today. I am grateful for your audience, and I, again, I also want to thank sponsors, because they always make these programs accessible to everyone. And that's what it's about, creating access and opportunity. So, thank you and your audience, I wish you all a fantastic day.

Thank you very much, Shelley.

Ladies and gentlemen, that was Shelley Brunswick, the Chief operating officer for the Space foundation, a great reveal and, and look forward at the opportunities for engagement in, in space and the space in the creation of this space ecosystems. There are a reality already today and they're gonna continue to expand in the years ahead and there she highlighted, you know, where we don't have to be thinking about being becoming the next astronaut to be part of that program.

Diverse, skill level set. It will be required in all functional areas in this emerging industry and, and fast, expanding industry. So, this brings us to our final time here, at intelligent business process management life. I want to thank every one of you for engaging with transparency, and honesty, and vulnerability through three amazing days, where we learn from global experts. What are the best practices, sites, culture, business, and digital transformation, to accelerate excellence and innovation in our organizations and in our society?

I want to give a special thanks to Brian Wrathful, our conference director and leader who makes this all happens works relentlessly in the background to make sure that this all comes across smoothly for you band And, there's a tremendous job and leading the proceedings for us. The ..., who is the CEO of Broke is digital for making this happen for having the vision for establishing this series, for having the vision and then the execution capabilities to make you happen with around the world. And, of course, our sponsors specifically donkey.

and, and, uh, the signals, you and commander, core important parts of this conference with us too, too.

Make it accessible to so many people around the world and for bringing to all of us this world-class virtua events.

And the rim reminder for you, that this journey continues, continuous next week, with Process Mining live, March 23rd, through 25th. We're going to be back with you for a deep dive on this technology.

that's growing fast, creating more, and more value in organizations. We're gonna cover the theory.

We're gonna cover the practice, mostly, because Bracts, Process Mining Live is going to be a conference about practitioners, from practitioners, to practitioners, on, on the good. The bad, and the ugly of process of mine each day. And how can we leverage the most value out of that technology? So I look for, make sure you register, so that you have access. And, and I look forward to seeing you back there, again, with great insights in great questions and participation from you.

For those of you who want to engage further on IB PM, we have LinkedIn post. You can look under. My name is, Joseph Pairs go into the LinkedIn post. If you have something good to say about the sponsors, about Brian, about VJ, about, about the speakers, Use that to voice. your your opinion. You have something bad to say, you can say that as well, We're always learning. And we also, if you have questions, ask questions there. And we will have several of the speakers checked on that posting for your questions, and they'll provide answers to your questions.

But whatever you are in the world today, I hope you'll have a good rest of your day, a good rest of your week. And I hope to see most of you back next week and process my new life.

Thank you, and goodbye for now.