Our Partners | NASI Collaborations in Space Workforce Development

SpaceRig

Partner in Space Logistics and Responsive Delivery

SpaceRig is building the next generation of responsive logistics for space. Their deployable and containerized systems bring spacecraft delivery and processing directly to operators, bridging the gap between widely distributed builders and limited launch facilities.

Focused on speed, flexibility, and mission readiness, SpaceRig provides operators with streamlined services that reduce the cost and complexity of building and deploying spacecraft. Their expertise is particularly valuable for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing missions, as well as mobility and data infrastructure initiatives.

By combining proven methods with innovative logistics techniques, SpaceRig offers a faster, more reliable pathway from mission design to launch integration. Their approach allows operators to focus on their mission goals while SpaceRig manages the build, delivery, and readiness of spacecraft.

With a philosophy rooted in logistics and supply chain excellence, SpaceRig is helping create a more connected and responsive space economy. Their work ensures that missions of all kinds can be delivered on time, at scale, and with confidence.

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James Hinebaugh

James Hinebaugh is a financial strategist and innovation advocate who thrives in complex environments where moving parts and ambitious goals intersect. As Financial Advisor to the North American Space Institute, he brings a rare combination of technical insight, business acumen, and cross-sector experience to help advance NASI’s mission of building a trusted and scalable space workforce.

James specializes in helping Canadian businesses in the space and technology sectors de-risk their research and development through government incentives and strategic funding programs. His work ensures that organizations can innovate confidently, scale efficiently, and remain competitive in global markets.

His career spans roles at leading advisory firms such as Baker Tilly Canada, where he serves as Senior Manager for SR&ED and Government Incentives, and KPMG, where he guided clients through the complexities of R&D tax strategies. Before his advisory career, James was a researcher and entrepreneur in the field of microstructured materials, co-founding Expanse Microtechnologies and leading projects for top-tier clients including GM, DuPont, and Relativity Space.

With a foundation in engineering research at the University of Toronto, James has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and developed advanced simulation, modeling, and data analysis tools. This technical grounding allows him to bridge the gap between groundbreaking ideas and sustainable business execution.

At NASI, James helps ensure that financial strategy, innovation funding, and operational planning work in harmony to support the institute’s long-term vision for a sovereign and future-ready space workforce.

Joe Armstrong

Joe Armstrong is a seasoned business strategist with deep expertise in scaling organizations and driving growth across the Canadian defence, aerospace, and high-tech sectors. He has led major mergers and acquisitions, built governance frameworks, and advanced commercialization strategies that connect innovation to global markets.

As Strategic Advisor to the North American Space Institute, Joe applies his experience in complex partnerships, industry relations, and policy alignment to support NASI’s mission of building a trusted and scalable space workforce. His insight into both public and private sector ecosystems ensures NASI can navigate national priorities while maintaining global competitiveness.

Joe’s career includes leadership roles in international market development, where he established strategic export relationships across the U.K., Europe, U.S., Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. He has guided research and development collaborations, joint ventures, and regional development strategies that strengthen industrial capacity.

He serves as Chair of the Board for the Center for Advanced Research and Training in Aviation, Mobility, and Space, and as Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Qatari Business Forum. His previous service includes roles on the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and the Defence Industrial Advisory Group.

At NASI, Joe is focused on forging the connections between policy, capital, and industry that will enable a sovereign, future-ready space workforce. His work continues to shape the landscape where Canadian innovation thrives on both national and international stages.

Marek Lorenc

Marek Lorenc is a seasoned corporate lawyer and strategic advisor with deep experience guiding executive leadership and boards through complex transactions, governance matters, and risk management decisions. His expertise spans multiple industry sectors, including aerospace, defence, and emerging technologies, making him a valuable contributor to NASI’s mission.

As Legal Advisor to the North American Space Institute, Marek provides guidance on corporate structure, strategic partnerships, and compliance frameworks that support NASI’s growth as a trusted national platform for space workforce development. His work ensures that the institute operates with integrity, clarity, and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry.

Marek’s legal career includes leadership roles at top-tier firms such as Aird & Berlis LLP, where he is a Partner, and Gowling WLG, where he advanced from Senior Associate to Partner. He is also the Principal of Celestial Growth Corp., advising ventures in aerospace and high-tech on corporate strategy, finance, and governance.

His approach combines rigorous legal insight with a practical understanding of business operations, enabling organizations to navigate opportunities and risks with confidence. By aligning legal strategy with mission objectives, Marek helps NASI build a strong foundation for sustainable growth and industry trust.

Iain Christie

Iain Christie is a veteran aerospace executive and trusted mentor to Canada’s space sector. Over his career, he has led missions with NASA, shaped industry policy at the national level, and guided founders through the challenges of building high-impact ventures.

As a Trainer and Facilitator at the North American Space Institute, Iain brings his unique combination of technical expertise, leadership insight, and coaching skill to develop the next generation of space professionals. His approach blends real-world mission experience with a deep understanding of how to lead teams through uncertainty and complexity.

Iain began his career as an engineer at a small Ottawa-based space startup, where he spent more than two decades rising to the role of CEO at Neptec Design Group. There, he oversaw the development of advanced laser scanners for the Space Shuttle, led operational teams at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and helped the company grow from survival to sustained success.

Following his tenure at Neptec, Iain served as Executive Vice President of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, where he worked directly with ministers, industry leaders, and policymakers to strengthen Canada’s aerospace ecosystem. Today, he also mentors early-stage space companies through Creative Destruction Lab and his own advisory practice, The Founders Circle.

At NASI, Iain is committed to building training experiences that go beyond theory, preparing learners for the realities of modern space missions and equipping them with the leadership and operational skills to succeed.

Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace

Partner in Training, Standards, and Workforce Development

The Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace is Canada’s leading authority on labour market intelligence and workforce training in the aviation and aerospace sector. CCAA provides the nationally recognized standards, certifications, and upskilling pathways that align talent with the evolving needs of industry.

As the voice of the sector on labour issues, CCAA supports companies in building future-ready teams through training programs, government funding access, and safety-focused certification systems. Their commitment to collaboration, diversity, and operational excellence makes them a key partner in shaping Canada’s aerospace future.

Through research, partnerships, and inclusive strategies, CCAA continues to elevate the public profile of the sector while helping employers and educators solve real workforce challenges. Their standards are recognized across regions and their mission remains clear: empower the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals.

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Reaction Dynamics

Partner in Launch Innovation and National Capability

Founded in 2017, Reaction Dynamics is redefining access to space with next-generation hybrid propulsion systems. Their patented rocket engine technology features a low part count and a simplified production process that increases performance while reducing cost and environmental impact.

As one of the few Canadian-built and ITAR-free launch providers, Reaction Dynamics offers unmatched operational flexibility to serve both commercial innovators and national security missions. Their sustainable and stockpiled launch solutions are designed for reliability and rapid response, reshaping the future of sovereign launch capability.

Reaction Dynamics is not just solving a technical challenge. They are building the infrastructure that makes space access smarter, greener, and more resilient.

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Ignition Partner

Michael Graham is a seasoned aerospace professional and entrepreneur with a proven track record of leadership across Canada’s space sector. As the founder of Orbit Share and a key figure in national organizations like Launch Canada and Space Canada, Michael brings deep expertise in workforce development, policy, and industry engagement.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the North American Space Institute, where he leads with a clear mission to close the gap between talent supply and operational demand in the growing space economy. Under his guidance, NASI is building the national infrastructure needed to train, certify, and connect the next generation of space professionals.

Michael’s career spans more than twenty years of impact in aerospace training, including work in regulatory alignment, technical education, and strategic policy. He has advised both public and private stakeholders, collaborated with federal accreditation bodies, and launched initiatives that align education with the needs of industry.

His work is rooted in the belief that developing a scalable and sovereign space workforce requires more than courses. It requires systems that unify standards, partnerships, and trusted credentials. At NASI, Michael is bringing that vision to life through a platform that serves learners, employers, and the broader space ecosystem.

He continues to play a vital role in shaping Canada’s space workforce strategy and is committed to building a future where Canadian talent leads in every orbit of opportunity.

Mahfuz Chowdhury

Mahfuz Chowdhury is a seasoned marketing strategist and brand architect who operates at the intersection of venture capital, marketing, and national workforce development. As CMO of NASI, he leads the institute’s strategic communications and brand positioning, helping shape a new category in space workforce certification and training.

With a background advising high-growth startups, venture studios, and public institutions, Mahfuz brings a systems-level view to storytelling. He specializes in taking bold, complex visions and translating them into language, design, and go-to-market strategies that resonate with both industry and policy leaders.

At NASI, Mahfuz plays a pivotal role in connecting the dots between ambition and execution. He works closely with the executive team to define the institute’s national voice, ensure stakeholder alignment, and build the frameworks that earn industry trust. His expertise in early-stage venture strategy and ecosystem building makes him a unique force in a sector where credibility and clarity are essential.

Mahfuz is not just marketing a brand. He is helping build the foundational narrative that supports a sovereign and scalable space economy in North America.

Dave Senior Jr.

Dave Senior Jr. is a multidisciplinary technologist with over fifteen years of experience across media, real-time 3D systems, and AI infrastructure. As Chief Technology Officer at NASI, he leads the creation of immersive training platforms, certification systems, and intelligent tools that help shape the future of the space workforce.

Dave’s background spans both entertainment and advanced simulation. He worked on leading Ubisoft game franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry and contributed to film and television productions like Murdoch Mysteries and Orphan Black as a Directors Guild of Canada Assistant Director. He later co-founded Cyndicate Productions, developing real-time visualization software and AI-driven solutions for clients including the Space Force Association.

In 2024, he also co-founded Neural Edge Solutions, a company focused on managing high-performance GPU infrastructure to deliver custom AI applications. His experience with secure compute systems and interactive environments makes him uniquely positioned to build platforms that align education, workforce systems, and operational needs.

At NASI, Dave is focused on transforming training into measurable readiness. He is designing systems that not only educate but also verify performance, connect talent to industry, and support a scalable national platform.

Dave holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Windsor and a Diploma in Media Arts from Sheridan College.

Aaron Topple

Aaron Topple is a strategic operator and venture advisor with deep expertise in building high-impact organizations across the innovation economy. As Chief Operating Officer of NASI, he leads business operations, partnership strategy, and cross-sector engagement to support the institute’s mission of building a trusted and scalable space workforce.

Aaron’s career spans the private, public, and investment sectors, with a focus on early-stage ventures, government-backed innovation programs, and deep-tech startups. He previously held senior roles at MaRS Discovery District and the Ontario Centre of Innovation, where he advised more than one hundred founders in space technology, AI, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.

In venture capital, Aaron has worked with both institutional investors and family offices, guiding diligence and portfolio strategy in emerging markets. His operational fluency and ecosystem perspective make him uniquely effective at aligning policy, capital, and industry toward national priorities.

Aaron is also a certified contracting and procurement specialist with the Department of National Defence, bringing a deep understanding of federal procurement processes and pathways for commercial innovation in national security and aerospace.

At NASI, Aaron brings his systems-level thinking and founder empathy to help shape the infrastructure behind Canada’s space economy. He holds degrees in Political Science and International Relations, and continues to serve as a mentor and strategist to mission-driven startups.

Michael Graham