Currently, only 12 countries have female astronaut representation and only 72 females have flown to space. Millions more worldwide share these lofty goals - including Dr. Mindy Howard’s long held aspirations. As CEO & Founder of Cosmic Girls Foundation, she is on a mission to change the stats and build a female talent pipeline that upskills girls from any socio-economic demographic to become astronauts.

After a 21-year career in the oil industry across 35 different countries as trainer, senior leader and engineer, Dr. Howard harnessed her academic and professional skills to create the first and only mental preparedness training program for astronauts; “Inner Space Training”, an invaluable and overlooked training tool. She is in hi-level discussions with major aerospace organisations to train, coach and accompany astronauts to space.

As the Director of “Inner Space Training” Dr. Howard works for Blue Abyss Ltd., the world’s first commercial astronaut training center. She has appeared on the Discovery and Travel Channels, and on U.S. and European radio as a space correspondent & commentator. Dr. Howard is also a TEDx speaker (“Train Your Fear Away, Like an Astronaut”) and a Guest Lecturer at the International Space University.

She authored “Blast off! Train Like an Astronaut for Success on Earth”, the first book to apply techniques of commercial astronaut training to help those on earth maintain anxiety-free, emotional equilibrium and mental focus to overcome daily challenges in their personal & professional lives.

Dream! Dare! Do! is Dr. Howard’s personal motto, and Cosmic Girls’ mission to empower the female space generation.

Co-presenter Sofia Giussani is the Chief Marketing Officer at Cosmic Girls.