Our Executive Mentors

Patricia Cooper

Patricia Cooper is the Vice President, Satellite Government Affairs at Space Exploration Technologies Corp. In that role, she leads SpaceX’s satellite regulatory, policy and licensing activities in the U.S. and overseas, supporting the company’s development of a space-based global broadband constellation.

Prior to joining SpaceX in 2015, Cooper served as Vice President of Government Affairs & Policy at Intelsat, heading up the company’s U.S. and international government affairs and lobbying activities. For the previous seven years, she led the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) as its President, directing policy and advocacy efforts for the trade association in regulatory, export control reform and national security arenas. She has held senior positions in the International Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including as Senior Satellite Competition Advisor and Chief, Regional and Bilateral Affairs Branch. Cooper had developed international market strategy and practices for two startups, Internet infrastructure company Core Express Corporation and PanAmSat Corporation, a disruptor in the early satellite services market. She began her career at the U.S. Department of Commerce as an International Trade Specialist focused on the satellite industry and Latin America.

Cooper often testifies before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and has served on expert advisory committees to the FCC, U.S. State, Commerce and Homeland Security Departments and the Federal Aviation Administration, and the International Telecommunications Union. She has participated in ITU World Radio Communications Conferences, U.S. delegations to United Nations space, development and finance meetings, and was an expert contributor to trade negotiations including the World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement.

Cooper holds a Master’s Degree in International Economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University and graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and German.