Anousheh Ansari

CEO & Co-Founder, Prodea Systems

302 - High Tech and High Touch: Using Technology To Improve Human Connection

Anousheh Ansari is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Prodea Systems. As she launched her company on September 18, 2006, she also blasted off for an eight-day expedition aboard the International Space Station and captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. She also earned a place in history as the first astronaut of Iranian descent, the first Muslim woman, and the fourth private explorer to visit space.

As a successful serial entrepreneur and active proponent of world-changing technologies and social entrepreneurship, Anousheh along with her family provided the title sponsorship for the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million cash award for the first non-governmental organization to launch a reusable manned spacecraft into space twice within two weeks. With the success of the X Prize competition, the Ansari family helped launch a new era in private space exploration.

Anousheh currently works to enable social entrepreneurs to bring about radical change globally, with organizations such as ASHOKA, which supports social entrepreneurship around the world, including the Middle East and Central Asia. She runs an annual competition called the "What If?" competition for middle school students to promote free thinking and STEM education.

Anousheh earned a bachelor's degree in electronics and computer engineering from George Mason University, followed by a master's degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. She is currently working toward a master's degree in astronomy from Swinburne University.