Our Globally-Experienced Team

Steve is the visionary and driving force behind Maritime Launch. A mechanical engineer by training, he is a skilled international spaceport licensing specialist. As an expert in the analysis of spaceports and launch vehicles, Steve brings extensive knowledge and experience in matching clients with the infrastructure and technology needed to meet their business objectives. A former NASA contractor, he 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 more than 25 years of experience. He has held senior leadership roles across the space and aerospace sector in the United States and Europe, including positions at SpaceX, Space Systems Loral, SES Global, Eutelsat, and EchoStar.

A NASA-trained astronaut with the National Space Agency of Ukraine, Yaroslav served as a Backup Payload Specialist for the STS-87 Space Shuttle Columbia mission. He brings extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, including work on government space programs and within the commercial spaceflight industry.

Sarah is a recognized leader in public affairs and corporate communications in Atlantic Canada. As Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs at Maritime Launch, she leads the company’s communications, government relations, and stakeholder engagement, drawing on deep experience across both the public and private sectors.

Following her role in delivering the United Kingdom’s first orbital spaceport, Melissa Quinn is now focused on advancing Canada’s sovereign launch capability through a secondment from MDA Space to Maritime Launch Services. In this role, she leads the Operations team and is responsible for developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, helping to unlock reliable, sovereign access to space for Canada and its allies. Melissa’s expertise sits at the intersection of government, defence, commercial markets, and local communities. She specializes in aligning these stakeholders to deliver complex, nation-building infrastructure.

Renata is an experienced human resources professional with over 15 years of progressive experience. She brings strong expertise in HR strategy, change management, employee engagement, DEI, recruitment, and performance management. Renata has worked across industries including automotive manufacturing and transportation. She holds her CPHR designation, along with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, and is currently pursuing her MBA.

Anastasia (Ana) Cook holds the role of Manager of Communications and Community Engagement. Prior to Maritime Launch, Ana was a Space Education Specialist at The United States Space Foundation where she created space science curriculum to support students internationally. Ana additionally has many years of technology experience working for Microsoft and her volunteer work supporting the Nova Scotian STEM and Skilled Trades sector.

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, he is a skilled international spaceport licensing specialist. As an expert in the analysis of spaceports and launch vehicles, Steve brings extensive knowledge and experience in matching clients with the infrastructure and technology needed to meet their business objectives. A former NASA contractor, he 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 recognized leader who has advanced Canada’s role 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.

Sylvain has also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and held senior roles within Industry Canada, including Chief Informatics Officer and Executive Director of the Integrated Technologies Office. Earlier in his career, Mr. Laporte served for 20 years as an aerospace engineer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Ms. Theil is a corporate executive, people leader, and entrepreneur with extensive advisory and board experience across international and North American markets. As a Chartered Director with a focus on corporate governance best practices, she brings expertise in legal matters, investment banking, strategy, and risk analysis.

She has held corporate finance leadership roles across a range of sectors, including power, energy, water, infrastructure, and clean technology. Ms. Theil also supports strategy execution for start-ups and pre-IPO companies, as well as established publicly traded organizations.

More than 20 years ago, through her firm JacKryn Holdings, she launched the Women’s Mentor Initiative (WMI), a program designed to attract, retain, and advance highly qualified women in the financial services sector.

Ian McLeod is the Vice-President of Corporate Development at MDA Space, a Canadian space company with over 55 years of successful space mission heritage. Previous to this role, Ian was the Vice President, Business Development and Sales at the Canadian Commercial Corporation. Ian has over 30 years experience within the space and defence industries, beginning as an electrical engineer and progressing to roles of increasing responsibility including program management, business development and sales, general management, strategy and executive leadership.

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.