Ian Eishen is SVP of Growth and Strategic Partnerships at the Outernet Foundation, where he works to build the partnerships and ecosystem needed to enable an open, interoperable space internet. He also serves as Director of Global Public Sector at Aalyria, a Google-origin company developing advanced network orchestration and laser communications technologies. In this role, he leads Aalyria’s engagement with U.S. and allied governments, helping connect commercial innovation with national security and civil space missions. Ian previously served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2023 after his final assignment with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Strategic Studies Group. During his career, he advised the Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and the French Ministry of Armed Forces on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and supported national efforts, including the White House Coronavirus Task Force and the DoD Artificial Intelligence Workforce Subcommittee.