Maria MacNamara will become CEO of the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) on 22 April 2024, replacing James Brown who, last October, had indicated his intention to step down.

MacNamara has wide experience in the technology sector and has served in many senior roles. She is a member of the Serco Asia Pacific Advisory Board and the Western Sydney University Infrastructure Committee, and is an Industry Fellow of the University of Technology, Sydney. She comes to the SIAA having most recently served as Director of Government Affairs and Innovation Strategy at global ICT infrastructure company, Kyndryl.

“Maria has been at the centre of Australia’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem for many years and is a respected transformational leader who brings 35 years of experience across membership organisations, the public sector and global ICT,” said SIAA’s Executive Chairman, Jeremy Hallett.

“The eyes of the world are on Australia as we enter our next growth phase in space and prepare to deliver the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney in 2025, and Maria is the right leader for SIAA during this transformational period.”

“I want to acknowledge the tremendous work done by the leaders who came before me to establish SIAA as the leading voice for the space industry in Australia,” said MacNamara. “I am honoured to join an organisation that has the power to shape Australia into a true space-faring nation.”

“I am excited to collaborate with the Space Industry Association of Australia members, our public and private partners, and the SIAA team to leverage this valuable asset and contribute to the expansion of Australia’s share in the global space economy.”