Sponsored Session: Navigating the communications space race: Strategies for ambitious satellite operators

Aashu Virmani is passionate about simplifying the complex, and articulating the business value of an idea. He has been a Business Development, M&A and Product Strategy Executive for over 20 years. Formally trained in data science, he has invested over two decades in the world of communications, and six years in fintech.

In his current role at Cambridge Consultants (CC), Aashu is responsible for finding areas of #deeptech innovation within the communications space, and allowing CC’s customers to adopt such innovation to create a sustainable and competitive advantage.

Mike Greenley is Chief Executive Officer of MDA Space, a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry. Since joining the company in 2018 and taking it public in 2021 (TSX:MDA), Mr. Greenley has steered the business through an unprecedented period of growth and expansion. Under his leadership, the company has invested in one of the world’s most diverse portfolios of next-generation space technologies and solutions, established world-class manufacturing capabilities and doubled revenue. He leads an elite team of more than 3,000 employees across Canada, the US and the UK developing next-generation communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure for civil, defence and commercial customers.
Prior to joining MDA Space, Mr. Greenley was Sector President of L-3 WESCAM, a provider of systems for defence, homeland security and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Vice President and General Manager of CAE Canada, supporting defence and security markets. From 2008 to 2013, he served first as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for General Dynamics (GD) Canada, then as Vice President, International for GD Mission Systems. From 2004 to 2008, he was Vice President of the modeling and simulation business at CAE. Mr. Greenley has over 25 years of experience in the defence and security business, with broad experience serving the Land, Air, Maritime, Joint, and Public Safety sectors.

Mr. Greenley is currently Chair of Space Canada and recently served as Vice Chair of the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as Chair of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) for six years and as a Board Member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and the Ontario Aerospace Council. He was previously Chair of the Advisory Board for Defence and Security Export to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada, and was a member of the industry advisory boards to Department of National Defence, Defence R&D Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the CEO of the Export Development Canada (EDC).
Mr. Greenley was recognized as the Satellite Executive of the Year at the Satellite 2024 Conference in Washington, DC. He has also been recognized for his business and community leadership as an Ottawa Top 40 under 40 business leader, a PROFIT 100 CEO for leading one of Canada’s fastest growing companies for three years running, and as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to peers and country in the defence sector.

Kevin Steen is the president and CEO of the combined Eutelsat America Corp. (EAC) and OneWeb Technologies entity, which are leading providers of secure and innovative commercial satellite communications connectivity to the U.S. government globally. In this role, Mr. Steen oversees the integration of the companies’ teams and businesses following their combination, along with setting the combined entity’s overall strategic direction and growth. With more than two decades of experience in technology business development and operating executive positions, Mr. Steen has a reputation for establishing strong customer relationships, building high performance teams, and a successful track record in balancing strategy against execution.

Prior to being named as president and CEO of OneWeb Technologies in September 2022, he served as CEO of iDirect, a market-leading government and commercial satellite communications technology provider. Under Mr. Steen’s leadership, the company pioneered the satellite industry’s first ground segment platform that supported a global network footprint and become the technology partner of choice for the top satellite operators and service providers. Before joining ST Engineering iDirect, he was vice president of Mergers and Acquisitions at SAP Americas.

Mr. Steen holds a Masters in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Denver. He sits on a number of boards in a financial and operations advisory capacity.