Ron Garan Keynote Speaker

Ron Garan is a Former NASA Astronaut & F-16 Pilot, author and speaker. He communicates on the ‘Orbital Perspective’ and seeing the bigger picture to inspire teams and organisations.

Garan completed his first space flight in 2008 on the STS-124 to the International Space Station to deliver the Japanese Experiment Module Pressurized Module (JEM-PM), nicknamed ‘Kibō’ and the Japanese Remote Manipulator System. The mission was completed in 5,735,643 miles and 218 orbits. His second mission was as a crew member on Expedition 27/28 and participated in the last space-shuttle-based spacewalk during the STS-135 mission. Garan also became an aquanaut, participating in the joint NASA-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NEEMO 9 (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) project, that conducted an exploration research mission held in Aquarius, the world’s only undersea research laboratory.

Prior to joining NASA, Garan was in the military. He logged over 5,000 hours in more than thirty aircraft and was Operations Officer of the 40^th Flight Test Squadron when he was selected as an astronaut.

He is the Founder of the Fragile Oasis project, which aims to integrate space and planetary sciences and connect space and Earth, and of the Manna Energy Foundation, which assists villages of Rwanda to make potable water. He is Vice President of Spaceship Earth Grants, a public benefit corporation which aims to make space more accessible and serves on the Advisory Council of Represent.Us, a nonpartisan anti-corruption organisation.

Ron Garan has been awarded a number of awards including the NASA Superior Accomplishment Award and NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. He has received several military honours including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, Kuwait Liberation Medal, amongst others.

Garan completed master’s degrees in Aeronautical Science and Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Florida respectively. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics, and an honorary Doctor of Science degree, from the State University of New York.

Garan is the author of ‘The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles’ (2015) and delivers motivational and actionable keynotes on the subject. His fascinating experiences of space travel, combat missions and entrepreneurship make for powerful content that resonates with CEOs, organisational leaders and team members. He speaks on taking the ‘Orbital Perspective’, discussing the long-term and big-picture perspective to affect change in ourselves, teams and communities.

Speaking topics:

• Leadership and Risk Management
• Innovation & Planetary Stewardship
• Exploration and Collaboration
• Corporate Responsibility
• Embracing Change & Technology
• Social Entrepreneurship