SGAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to students and young professionals (aged 18-35) in the space sector. Our aim is to represent the voice of the next generation in space policy and provide opportunities for professional development to young members of the space community. SGAC is registered as a non-profit in Austria, headquartered in Vienna, that includes the Executive Committee, Advisory Board, and all SGAC members. In 2001, SGAC established a 501c(3) non-profit organization registered in the USA, a separate SGAC entity for supporting SGAC operations in and from the USA.

SGAC Austria Governance

SGAC Austria is governed in accordance with a set of Statutes and Bylaws, updated annually. The SGAC Statutes provide the framework for the operation of the organisation, while the Bylaws provide further information and mechanisms for improved operation. The SGAC strategy outlines and provides guidance on the strategic direction of the organisation.

SGAC Statutes (2025 version)

SGAC Bylaws (2025 version)

SGAC Strategic Plan (2025)

SGAC Financial Report (2022)

SGAC US Governance

  • SGAC is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization registered in the District of Columbia, USA in 2001
  • See SGAC’s profile on Guidestar 
  • The US Board of Directors includes:
    • Class A: Independent senior members of the space Industry
    • Class B: SGAC Chairs
  • Officers: President, Treasurer, Secretary

Information about the US entity of SGAC can be found on:

US Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the US Entity currently consists of:

  • Class A directors:
    • Carissa Christensen (Chair)
    • Chris Johnson
    • Jade Tran
    • Lance Bush
    • Pete Worden
    • Marshall Smith
    • Michael Brett
  • Class B Directors:
    • Joshua Critchley-Marrows, SGAC Chair
    • Sapna Rao, SGAC Co-Chair

SGAC Endowment Fund

A key role of the US Board of Directors will be to support the establishment of the SGAC endowment fund. We have recently received a generous donation from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future and intend to invest a substantial portion to provide recurring revenue to support long term growth for SGAC and sustainably provide more scholarships that enable access to international, regional, and local space events for our members.

About the SGAC US Class A Directors

Carissa Christensen
Carissa Christensen

Carissa Christensen is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of BryceTech companies in the US and the UK. Ms. Christensen sits on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Space and the Advisory Council of the Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy. Ms. Christensen is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she specialized in science and technology policy. She attended the London School of Economics and was a Douglass Scholar at Rutgers University. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson is the Space Law Advisor at the Secure World Foundation, and a Professor of Law (Adjunct) at the Georgetown University Law Center where he co-teaches the Space Law Seminar. He is also a Faculty Member at the International Space University and a Member of the International Institute of Space Law.  Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor’s of Art degree from Michigan State University, a Juris Doctor from New York Law School, and an Advanced Masters in Law in Air and Space Law from Leiden University’s International Institute of Air and Space Law.

Jade Tran
Jade Tran

Jade is passionate about supporting connecting high-achieving innovators with the resources they need to scale and grow.
Currently she is an SVP in Banc of California’s Venture Banking group, working with venture-backed technology companies at all stages, with a focus on Southern California. Prior to joining the bank, she led Culture at Honey (acquired by PayPal in 2019), and a consultant to various SoCal and Silicon Valley venture funds, simultaneously expanding their brand reach, and addressing their portfolios’ unique needs.  In addition to her work, Jade serves on the NextGen board of United Friends of the Children, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting foster youth in LA County. She sits on the selection committee for the SoCal Venture Pipeline, is a delegate of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue’s Young Leaders Dialogue program, and was named one of LA Times’ 2024 Inspirational Women. Jade holds a B.A., and M.A. in History of Art from The Ohio State University, focusing on art history and material culture, and enjoys surfing and spending time with her rescue dog, Cricket.
Lance Bush
Lance Bush

Lance Bush is President and CEO of Challenger Center, a leading nonprofit STEM education organization. Under Dr. Bush’s leadership, Challenger Center was recognized with the National Science Board’s Public Service Award for its work to promote a public understanding of science and engineering. Dr. Bush started his career at NASA as one of the chief engineers designing the next generation space transportation. Prior to Challenger Center, Dr. Bush served as the Chief Strategic Officer at Paragon Space Development Corporation, a space vehicle design and build company. Dr. Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in technology policy and management from the Pennsylvania State University, along with a SSP from International.

Marshall Smith
Marshall Smith

Marshall joined Nanoracks in August 2021 as the Senior Vice President for Space Systems. In his role, Marshall will oversee the development of Nanoracks’ customer-focused commercial space stations, Outpost platforms, and additional supporting systems, including airlocks and more. Marshall has previously served a long and distinguished career at NASA, most recently as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Systems Engineering, Director for Human Exploration and Director for Cross-Program Systems Engineering. Marshall received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is the recipient of the NASA Systems Engineering Excellence of the Year Award and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

Michael Brett
Michael Brett

Michael is an engineer and entrepreneur bringing a range of leadership experience from start-ups, volunteer organizations, and enterprises. His professional work includes leading teams and businesses involved in developing deep tech, probabilistic analysis, and high-performance computing. Michael was a highly involved member of SGAC for over 15 years, first joining the organization in 2002 and ‘aging out’ in 2018. His time with SGAC included a term as Treasurer from 2008 to 2010 and Co-Chair from 2010 to 2012.

Pete Worden
Pete Worden

Simon Peter “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is the Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, Dr. Worden was Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center until retiring on March 31, 2015. He held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers. On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, UK, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives. At the press conference, Dr. Worden was introduced as the Chairman for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In this capacity he also leads the Breakthrough Initiatives as its Executive Director. From 2017 to the present, Brigadier General Worden has been an Advisor to the Luxembourg Space Agency and was appointed as a Knight-Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2018 for his space services.