Our Patron
Originally from Montreal, Canada, Dr. Greg Chamitoff served as a NASA Astronaut for 15 years, including two Shuttle Missions and a long duration International Space Station Mission as part of Expedition 17 and 18. He has lived and worked in Space for almost 200 days as a Flight Engineer, Science Officer, and Mission Specialist. His last mission was on the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour, during which he performed two spacewalks, the last of which completed the assembly of the Space Station and was the final spacewalk of the Space Shuttle program. Dr. Chamitoff serves as Professor of Practice in Aerospace Engineering and Director of the AeroSpace Technology Research & Operations (ASTRO) Center at Texas A&M University.
Directors
Jackie has a diverse and long-standing background in education with firsthand experience working with school children.
She was a school teacher for 25 years and later worked in the Department of Education analysing the NSW school curriculum and how it corresponds with student learning.
Bob had an extensive background in the defence and aviation sectors, not least of all, serving Australia in the Vietnam war. He facilitated an enormous amount of training in the defence aviation sector and he applied his vast experience to STEM education for young people. He has left a lasting legacy and influenced the lives of so many young people. Read more about Bob and his life story, in his own words …
Holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and has also obtained a Masters of Commerce (Professional Accounting) from the University of New England and advanced to Member status with the Institute of Public Accountants. Amanda thrives on anything taxation, business accounting and advisory related. Outside of the office Amanda enjoys participating in equestrian sports including trail riding and natural horsemanship.
Advisory Board
Peter Redman is an accomplished Managing Director with a demonstrated ability, leading diverse teams of professionals to new levels of success in the Australian, New Zealand, Asian and Indian regions.
Joanne is a highly experienced education professional with internationally recognised expertise in online assessments, curriculum implementation and trends in educational pedagogy.
Amanda MacKinnell combines 16 years operational service as an officer in the Royal Australian Navy, with program and project management experience gained in a number of Industrial sectors, particularly maritime, autonomous systems and digital transformation
Air Vice-Marshal Greg Evans (Retired) was educated at Strathfield SDA High School in Sydney and on graduation in 1975 completed training as a high school science and mathematics teacher at Avondale College.
Shannon has been introducing students to the excitement of space exploration since 1998. Working with NASA, she has led the Galileo Outreach Team, the Cassini Formal Education Team, and the Deep Space Network Education and Public Outreach Office.
Michael Davoren has worked extensively presenting IRL events and is also a digital media producer creating content for a variety of platforms. He has performed in immersive theatre and corporate entertainment in Australia and internationally and has appeared at the Melbourne Comedy, Adelaide Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe festivals.
Dr Naomi Mathers has been an active member of the Australian Space Industry for more than 20 years. She has contributed to the establishment of two key Australian space facilities.
Mark is a founder and the Chief Creative Officer of FTLX!, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blockchains, Inc. He comes from the story side, having started in the theater: writing, directing and designing for the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theater on the campus of Princeton University.
