The world’s leading open source think tank on the economics and commerce of space, the International Institute of Space Commerce (IISC) celebrated the announcement that Dr Olga Stelmakh-Drescher, its Director of Business Development and International Affairs, has been named the recipient of the Space Generation Leadership Award for 2017.
The award is presented annually by the Space Generation Advisory Council to recognise the role of younger professionals in the space field.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the Space Generation Advisory Council,” Dr Stelmakh-Drescher said. “My deepest gratitude for the confidence shown in me to those who encouraged me to go further, to strive for new challenges and horizons, who set the bar high and demanded more from me, and taught to see an opportunity in every difficulty.”
Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher was appointed to her role in the IISC in June 2017 by IISC Executive Director Rob Alexander.
“I have only had the pleasure of working with Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher for the past few months, and I am impressed with her aptitude and enthusiasm for the space industry,’ said Mr Alexander. “She is quickly becoming a key member of our organisation. I expect that this is just one of many more accolades to come her way in the future.”
Alex Downie OBE, Chairman of the Board of the IISC, added: “At a time when there is a new international impetus in developing space and communication business, Olga will provide the IISC with a wealth of knowledge and insight into this quickly evolving sector. We are delighted with the news of this award, which is an industry recognition for all the hard work and dedication to someone at the very top of their profession. And we are privileged to have Olga working as part of our team.”
In addition to her role as IISC Director of Business Development and International Affairs, Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher is the Global Partnership Manager for the World Space Week Association. She has an extensive background in space matters, having worked in the space sector for more than 14 years, including seven years of governmental and parliamentarian engagement.
Prior to her present role, she worked with McGill Institute of Air and Space Law, George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, the Parliament of Ukraine, German Aerospace Center, Ukrainian Space Agency, and European Space Agency. She has become noted as a lawyer with strong business background and is fluent in five languages, working around the globe, combining public service with academic work and legal practice.
An alumna of Paris-11 Institute of Space and Telecommunication Law and International Space University, Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher holds a Doctorate in International Law specializing in Space Security, two LLM degrees, and two Master degrees in Business.
Professionally, she is a member of many high-profile groups, including: International Institute of Space Law, Women in Aerospace, Global Diplomacy Lab, and the Expert Network of Council on Future Space Technologies of the World Economic Forum.
In 2013, she was honored with the IAF Emerging Space Leaders recognition award, and for the past three years she has been a judge of the regional rounds of the Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition. She currently heads the Election Committee of the International Institute of Space Law.
Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher is a frequent speaker at many international space fora (US, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific) and publishes extensively on space-related topics. As a recipient of the award, Dr. Stelmakh-Drescher will attend the 16th Space Generation Congress and the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia.
When asked for advice for those hoping to enter the space field, she said: “Follow your dreams, make the real projects out of them, and believe in what you do!”
Photo - Dr Olga Stelmakh-Drescher.
