Casey Anglada DeRaad is CEO and Founder of NewSpace Nexus (rebranded from NewSpace New Mexico), a non-profit established to grow the commercial space industry from New Mexico for the nation with a mission to Unite & Ignite Space by accelerating the pace of innovation, creating a bigger voice for the space industry stakeholders, and leveraging the significant R&D investment from federal, state, and local organizations. Casey was a 30-year executive of the Air Force Research Laboratory leading programs in space technology, strategic business development, investment leveraging, technology engagement, and workforce development for Air Force, NASA, and private industry. Casey has promoted opportunities for space industries and STEM students for her entire career. Casey earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico and is an Albuquerque Business First 2021 Women of Influence honoree.