Our Globally-Experienced Team

Steve is the visionary and driving force behind Maritime Launch. A mechanical engineer by training, Steve is a skilled international spaceport licensing specialist. As an expert analyst of spaceports and launch vehicles, Steve shares extensive knowledge and experience in matching clients with the infrastructure and technology to meet their business needs. A former NASA contractor, Steve is a recipient of the prestigious “Silver Snoopy” award for excellence in flight safety and mission success.

Robert is a respected and recognized space industry entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. He’s held senior leadership positions in the space and aerospace sector at firms across the US and Europe, including SpaceX, Space Systems Loral, SES Global, Eutelsat, and Echostar.

A NASA-trained National Space Agency of Ukraine astronaut, Yaroslav served as a Backup Payload Specialist for the STS-87 Space Shuttle Columbia mission. Yaroslav brings extensive private and public sector experience, with involvement in government space programs as well as in the commercial spaceflight industry.

Sarah is a highly regarded public affairs and corporate communications practitioner in Atlantic Canada. As Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs at Maritime Launch, Sarah draws on her vast experience in both government and the private sector, leading Maritime Launch's communications and public affairs strategies.

With over 27 years in the financial sector, Philip has an extensive background working with both public and private corporations and has raised over $180M in debt and equity financing. His experience spans across dynamic environments ranging from high growth to strategic turnarounds, with a focus on the technology and communications sectors.

As Chair and CEO of Jacob Capital Management, Sasha has managed over 100 transactions and participated in financings collectively valued at over $10B. He is the current Chair of Nature United, and previously served as Vice-Chair of World Wildlife Fund Canada, Director of Plan International Canada, and Chair, YPO Maple Leaf.

Steve is the visionary and driving force behind Maritime Launch. A mechanical engineer by training, Steve is a skilled international spaceport licensing specialist. As an expert analyst of spaceports and launch vehicles, Steve shares extensive knowledge and experience in matching clients with the infrastructure and technology to meet their business needs. A former NASA contractor, Steve is a recipient of the prestigious “Silver Snoopy” award for excellence in flight safety and mission success.

A former President of the Canadian Space Agency, Mr. Laporte is a sectoral leader who has advanced Canada’s involvement in space through the launch of scientific and earth observation satellites, planetary exploration missions and the continued human presence on the International Space Station with Canadian astronauts. Mr. Laporte has served as CEO of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and has held senior positions within Industry Canada as the Chief Informatics Officer and the Executive Director of the Integrated Technologies Office.  Laporte has served 20 years in the military as an aerospace engineer with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Ms. Theil is a corporate executive, people leader and entrepreneur with extensive advisory and board experience in international and North American markets. As a Chartered Director with a focus corporate governance best practice, Ms. Theil brings legal, investment banking, strategy and risk analysis experience to her work. Ms. Theil has corporate finance leadership expertise in a variety of sectors including power, energy, water, infrastructure and Clean Tech (renewable energy). Ms. Theil brings her leadership to support strategy roll-outs for start-ups and pre-IPO companies, as well as established, publicly-quoted companies. Over 20 years ago, Ms. Theil’s firm, JacKryn Holdings, launched the Women’s' Mentor Initiative (the “WMI”). This successful initiative was created with a goal to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified women in the financial services sector for success.

Sarah McLean is the VP, Communications and Corporate Affairs for Maritime Launch. A leader in inclusive community engagement, Sarah has led the public affairs and community engagement strategies for Maritime Launch since 2016, joining the company full time in 2021. Previous to Maritime Launch, Sarah was Associate Vice President at Canada’s largest public relations firm located in Halifax. Prior to that, Sarah led policy development for high profile federal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, serving as Director of Policy to the President of the Treasury Board, Policy Advisor to the Minister of International Trade and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Served as the 28th Premier of Nova Scotia from 2013 - 2021. Until his resignation in Spring 2021, Stephen was the dean of Canadian premiers, having held the office since 2013. In total, he served for 18 years in the Nova Scotia Legislature. Stephen served as Minister in a number of portfolios in the Nova Scotia Government including Aboriginal Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. An expert in international trade, Stephen supports global companies as they build business in Atlantic Canada.

Principal at Azimuth Advisory, Space Law Specialists, a member of the International Institute of Space Lawyers and a fellow of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law. Donna is an experienced commercial space lawyer specialising in transactions related to space activities, including launch of spacecraft and related risk, liability, and insurance matters. With over more than twenty years in the space industry, she has advised a range of commercial space organisations, including launch facilities and launch service providers.  She serves on several advisory boards for space-related organisations, has published joint papers on Space Law topics internationally and has lectured and presented on Space Law in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, South Africa and Australia.

President and CEO of Lindsay Construction, Atlantic Canada’s leading Construction Management company based in Nova Scotia. The core of Cory’s business philosophy is rooted in excellence, as it applies to projects, teams and client satisfaction. Widely regarded for his commitment to philanthropy, community, and contributing to Atlantic Canada’s economic growth, Cory has served on numerous industry boards and he volunteers his time supporting several start-up companies.

Co-Founder and President of Think Orbital Inc., a company building the toolkit and infrastructure for large scale, autonomously assembled platforms in space. Lee has a 23-year service career in engineering, acquisition, and space operations with command tours at both US launch bases, Vandenberg SFB and Cape Canaveral.  He is a retired SpaceX VP of Mission & Launch Operations, and VP of Customer Operations & Integration. In his career to date, Lee has supported the build of five launch pads and 200+ launch operations.

Jeffrey Manber, a celebrated author, co-Founder of Nanoracks and now President of International and Space Stations for Voyager Space. Manber has broke barriers for access to space and oversaw the growth of numerous commercial International Space Station programs, including the development of the first and only commercial Airlock on the space station. At Voyager Space, Manber leads the development of Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying, commercial space station to serve NASA, space agencies, and commercial users around the globe.