The IISC Board is composed of leaders in their field
Board Members
Dr. Walter PeetersBoard Member
Professor Peeters achieved a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, MBA (University of Louvain, Belgium), and a Doctorate of Engineering in Industrial Organisation (Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands). He is currently President of the International Space University and formerly was with ESA since 1983 after initial activities in industry (construction, petrochemical). He was involved in ESA project control and coordination on the Hermes project and the EUROMIR flights with Russia, among others. Former Head of the Coordination Office of the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. He is a lecturer in Space Marketing (Technical University of Delft) and former visiting professor in Non-profit Marketing (Catholic University of Louvain).
Professor Pascale EhrenfreundBoard Member
Pascale Ehrenfreund is the President of the International Space University and Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs at the Space Policy Institute/George Washington University in Washington DC. She is also the President of the International Astronautical Federation IAF and Visiting Professor at Leiden Observatory.
Since three decades she contributed as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator and Teamleader to ESA and NASA astronomy and planetary missions as well as experiments in low Earth orbit and on the International Space Station.
Pascale Ehrenfreund served as the Chair of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) between 2015-2020 and the President of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) from 2013-2015.
Pascale Ehrenfreund holds a Master degree in Molecular Biology, a PhD in Astrophysics, and a Master degree in Management & Leadership.
The asteroid “9826 Ehrenfreund 2114 T-3” bears her name.
John is a Chartered Director, independent NED & business consultant, specialising in Risk & Corporate Governance, Business Development and Business Improvement. He is an Ambassador for the Institute of Directors Chartered Director programme and an experienced Funds director.
With a wide international experience including banking, captive & mutual insurance, funds, fiduciary services and even manufacturing industry. He has worked closely with professionals & Government representatives in the IoM, UK, Channel Islands, Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong and other European jurisdictions, maintaining strong relations with all relevant regulators and influencing bodies.
He provides oversight and governance to several regulated businesses, engages directly with IoM Government and the Space industry. John is passionate about learning and technology.
Dr Helmut KesslerBoard Member
Dr Helmut Kessler is CEO of Manx Precision Optics Ltd. He spent 17 years with CVI Technical Optics before founding MPO in 2013. A graduate first class of the International Space University Executive MBA Program, Dr. Kessler is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Space University in Strasbourg.
Dr Ramin KadeemBoard Member
Dr. Ramin Khadem has been a Consultant to the Satellite and Telecom Sector since October 2004. Dr. Khadem served as Chief Financial Officer of Inmarsat Plc, Inmarsat Investments Limited, Inmarsat Leasing (Two) Ltd., Inmarsat Finance PLC and Inmarsat Launch Company Limited until July 30, 2004. He served as Chief Financial Officer of Inmarsat Ventures Limited since 1993. He served as Chief Financial Officer Inmarsat Group Holdings Limited since 2003 and its Principal Accounting Officer until 2004. He served as Principal Accounting Officer of Inmarsat Finance PLC, Inmarsat Investments Limited and Inmarsat Limited, Inmarsat Group Limited, Inmarsat Ventures Limited, Inmarsat Leasing (Two) Limited and Inmarsat Launch Company Limited. From 1981 to 1985, Dr. Khadem was one of the Finance Managers of Inmarsat Ventures Limited and from 1985 to 1993, he served as its Finance Director. Prior to joining Inmarsat Ventures Limited, from 1976, he held various positions at Teleglobe Canada, including as Marketing Director and Manager of Economics and Market research. From 1974 to 1975, he served for Bell Canada as a Consultant in demand studies and from 1972 to 1974, as a Senior Supervising Analyst. From 1970 to 1974, he served as a Consultant in the telecommunications, health and energy sectors for a consulting firm in Canada. He has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Space University (ISU) since February 2004. He has been a Non-Executive Independent Director of Soho China Ltd. since May 11, 2007. Dr. Khadem serves as a Director of NesscoInvsat Telecommunications Limited. He has been Member of Advisory Board of Near Earth LLC and ManSat Limited. He served as a Director of Rydex Corporation Ltd. and AIRIA Limited. He served as Executive Director of Inmarsat Finance PLC, Inmarsat Investments Limited and Inmarsat Limited, Inmarsat Ventures Limited, Inmarsat Leasing (Two) Limited and Inmarsat Launch Company Limited. Dr. Khadem served as Board Member of Inmarsat Group Holdings Limited since December 2003. He served as an Executive Director of Inmarsat plc. (Manager of Inmarsat Group Ltd. and Inmarsat Holdings Limited) until July 30, 2004. He served as Non Executive Director of Inmarsat Global Limited until July 30, 2004. Dr. Khadem obtained BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1967 and received MA and Ph.D. in Economics from McGill University in 1970 and 1974, respectively. Dr. Khadem has also received specialized training in the following topics: Time Series and Forecasting from Carnegie-Mellon, Econometric analyses of the Financial and Monetary System from MIT and the Executive Management Forum from Harvard Business School.
Dr. Christian SallabergerBoard Member
Dr. Christian Sallaberger has over 30 years of industrial leadership and Canadian and European agency experience in space program development and execution. He is an active member within the international space community, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the International Space University, Chairman of the International Space Exploration Committee of the IAF. While working at the Canadian Space Agency Dr. Sallaberger initiated the Canadian government’s Planetary Exploration Program, and subsequently spent 15 years as Vice President and Director of Space Exploration at a multinational space corporation.
Heather GordonBoard Member
Heather joined the ICM Group as Legal Counsel in 2013. She has a unique background in business and commercial aviation and specialises in aviation finance and security, with a particular focus on Isle of Man aviation holding structures. Heather is a key member of the group’s business development team and attends shows and conferences. She has also presented to aviation conferences internationally. Heather holds an LLM in International Business Law from King’s College London and graduated from an executive MBA in space business in 2012.
Alex Downie OBEChair
Alexander Frank Downie FIMarEST MCMI FFB OBE, was a member of the Legislative Council of the Isle of Man and a former Trade and Industry Minister of the Government. He was a Member of the House of Keys from 1991 until his election to the Legislative Council in 2005. Before going into politics, he was a marine seagoing engineer for various companies and self-employed in the heating maintenance business. He is now in an independent role as an appraiser and consultant researching antique firearms and military and vintage Italian motorcycles.
Carl HawkerBoard Member
David CatlowBoard Member