CEO, XPRIZE

Anousheh Ansari is CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation, the world's leading platform for developing and running large-scale competitions that incentivise solutions to global challenges. Previously, Ansari was co-founder and CEO of Prodea Systems, a leading technology company for the Internet of Things (IoT). In 2006, she set out on an 11-day space expedition as the first Iranian Austronaut, first private space explorer and first Muslim woman. Ansari is a member of the Global Future Council of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and has received numerous awards such as the WEF Young Global Leader. She is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and sits on the boards of Jabil (NYSE: JBL) and Peace First, as well as several other non-profit organisations. In her memoir "My Dream of Stars" she shares her life story as an inspiration to young women around the world.