Please download our 2025 program!
DCFR Global Speaker Series
Speakers: Angel Abbud-Madrid; Rob Chambers; Skip Smith; Christopher Johnson
Moderated By: Stephanie Burke
Date: Tuesday, October 14th, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80205
Please register by Monday, September 29, 2025, to guarantee your spot. Space is limited, so don’t wait!
About the Event
Our 2025 Forum will take place on October 14th, 2025, at the prestigious Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This year, we’ll dive into the fascinating complexities of establishing a lunar base. Our distinguished panel of speakers will provide in-depth analysis of the legal frameworks, intricate logistical requirements, and significant geopolitical implications that will define this pivotal moment in human history. Doors open at 6 pm.
Panelists
- Angel Abbud-Madrid, Director, Space Resources Program at the CO School of Mines
- Jason Hopkins, Director of Exploration Business Development and Exploration at Lockheed Martin
- Skip Smith, Chair of the Space and Satellite Industry Group Greenberg Traurig
- Christopher Johnson, Senior Director of Legal Affairs and Space Law, Secure World Foundation
Moderated By:
- Stephanie Burke, Director of the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation for the Denver International Airport
Update on Panel: Rob Chambers at Lockheed Martin has been replaced by Jason Hopkins at Lockheed Martin. Thanks to Jason for stepping in!
We envision a unique approach to space policy, bridging the gap between this critical frontier and foreign policy, international affairs, and young professional communities. By making these high-level space policy discussions accessible to university students and the broader community, we’re fostering informed decision-making for the future. This initiative also offers an opportunity for students to engage directly with current space issues for free.
Agenda of Event
6:00 pm ~ Cocktails, food & networking
6:30 pm ~ A Word from our Sponsors
6:50 pm ~ Brief Welcome & Speaker Introductions
7:00 pm ~ Panel Discussion Starts
7:45 pm ~ Audience questions
8:25 pm ~ Ending Announcements by DCFR& Additional Networking until 9:00 pm
Panelist & Moderator Bios
Dr. Angel Abbud-Madrid is the Director of the Center for Space Resources at the Colorado School of Mines, where he leads a research program focused on the human and robotic exploration of space and the utilization of its resources. He is also the Director of the Space Resources Graduate Program, aimed at educating scientists, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in the field of extraterrestrial resources. He has over 35 years of experience conducting experiments in NASA’s low-gravity facilities, such as drop towers, parabolic-flight aircraft, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station. In 2004, he received the NASA Astronauts’ Personal Achievement Award for his contributions to the success of human space flight.
Dr. Abbud-Madrid is the President of the Space Resources Roundtable, an international organization that brings together interested parties to discuss all aspects of space, lunar, asteroidal, and planetary resources. In 2018, he was appointed as an Observer and Technical Panel member of The Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group and in 2020 as member of the Committee on Planetary Protection of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. From 2019 to 2023 he served as external faculty in the Interdisciplinary Space Master at the University of Luxembourg and in 2023 he received an honorary Adjunct Professor position at The University of Adelaide in South Australia.
Jason Hopkins is Director of Exploration Business Development and Exploration, Products and Technology Mission Strategy and Advanced Capabilities (MSAC) Deputy. Jason began his career at
Lockheed Martin supporting mission operation, mission planning and systems engineering. He translated his mission operations experience into program management for a multitude of space and ground systems development programs for NASA, DoD, and the Intelligence Community.
As a civil servant, he worked as a Flight Test Integration Manager on NASA’s Orion program for Exploration Flight Test-1 and managed launch vehicle integration operations in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. He worked in the US Senate for Senator Bill Nelson on the Science and Space Subcommittee as a NASA Fellow. He also worked at Ball Aerospace leading the strategic growth of their space security and resiliency mission area.
Prior to becoming the Exploration Director, he led Strategy and Business Development for Integrated Missions and Software Solutions in the Global Situational Awareness MSAC. He holds a BS degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Aerospace Engineering and a MS degree in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.
Milton “Skip” Smith, is an Air Force Academy graduate with a doctorate in Space Law. He is currently the Chair of the Space and Satellite Industry Group at Greenberg Traurig, and has more than 40 years of experience advising clients on risk management and other issues related to the aerospace industry. Skip handles complex transactional matters and disputes, nationally and internationally. His combination of skills and experience, coupled with an in-depth understanding of legal and regulatory systems, makes him a sought-after advisor in the aerospace industry. He serves a broad spectrum of clients, including large corporations, startups, manufacturers, and launch service providers. During his Air Force tenure, he held significant roles such as Director of Space Law at Space Command and Chief of Space Law for the Air Force.
Skip assists both national and international clients in navigating legal issues from the planning and operation of space assets to launch and on-orbit services, space insurance, and government contract and regulatory matters. He has negotiated and litigated disputes amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. He negotiates and drafts satellite design, manufacture, sale and launch agreements as well as on-orbit servicing agreements including: hosted payload, life extension, refueling and debris removal. He also supports deal teams in evaluation of contracts and other key documents.
Christopher Johnson is the Director of Legal Affairs and Space Law at the Secure World Foundation, and a Professor of Law (Adjunct) at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he co-teaches the Space Law Seminar.
Mr. Johnson is also a Field Editor at the Journal of Space Safety Engineering (JSSE), on the Board of Editors of the journal Air and Space Law, on the Academic Review Board of the Cambridge International Law Journal, and serves on the US Board of Directors of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). He was also a Core Expert and Rule Drafter in the MILAMOS project, and an observer at the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group. He is also a Faculty Member at the International Space University (ISU) and a Member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
Mr. Johnson has written widely on space law and policy issues, and represents the Secure World Foundation at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). He is also an external PhD candidate at Leiden University’s International Institute of Air and Space Law, writing a monograph on the international legal order for the Moon.
Stephanie Burke is currently the Director of the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation at Denver International Airport (DEN). She has spent over a decade in the transportation sector and joined the aviation industry in late 2021. In her current role, she leads two of the key programs within DEN’s Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation: Career Pathways, dedicated to fostering an aviation talent pipeline, and Research and Innovation initiatives aimed at conducting industry research and identifying best practices.
She has been a public sector employee for over 15 years and has worked in a variety of industries such as parks and recreation, law enforcement and security, public transportation, and now aviation. A common theme in the work she has done is utilizing her skillset to develop people and manage projects.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California Irvine, a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne, a Project Management Certificate from the University of California Los Angeles and is a certified Project Management Professional.
*Please visit our Global Affairs Speaker Dinners page to learn about our policies.