three U.S. Presidents: George H.W. Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, and George W. Bush. He not only led the re-emergence of NASA through one of its most challenging times after the Cold War, but he also helped foster east-west international cooperation in space. Toward this end, he lead a 16-nation team that designed, constructed and began initial operations of the $120B International Space Station without an in-space injury or loss of life. Also during his tenure, he guided NASA through the development of a new generation of spacecraft to enable the extended exploration of our solar system, deeper observations of our known universe and more precise observations of the physical and biological dynamics of our own planet, with the objective of enhancing the quality of life on Planet Earth and ultimately out of Earth Orbit. Throughout his life and career, Mr. Goldin has relentlessly pursued his passion for astrophysics that was catalyzed at seven years old when his father, Louis Goldin, first took him to New York City’s Hayden Planetarium. Ever since, he developed a desire and commitment to help humanity begin to understand the complex laws of nature and their own origins, evolution, and destiny in our known universe with a career dedicated to building America’s major astrophysical observatories of our time. Mr. Goldin actively contributed to and provided the leadership for the design, development and deployment of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, Chandra X-Ray Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope rescue mission, Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope, and most recently the James Webb Space Telescope – an observatory where in the mid-90s he guided the American astrophysical community and his NASA team to assure the Webb would have the capacity to see to the beginnings of creation and the capability to understand if life might exist elsewhere in the universe. Prior to NASA, he was Vice President and General Manager of the TRW Space and Technology Group – now Northrop Grumman – where he guided a broad range of advanced space and technology developments that had an important impact on advancing America’s national security, scientific exploration of our solar system, space telescopes to observe our high energy universe, and development of advanced technologies and products for the global marketplace. Mr. Goldin began his career as a research scientist at NASA’s Glenn Research Center working on electric propulsion systems to enable future human interplanetary travel. Mr. Goldin is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, the International Academy of Astronautics, and The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Astronautical Society, and an Honorary Board Member of the Explorers Club. Mr. Goldin holds 18 Honorary Doctorates from the world’s great universities.

Africell is a fast-growing mobile network operator with a pan-African footprint. Its mission is to make a positive everyday difference to customers through the provision of affordable, accessible and good quality telecoms products and services—and thereby to create a wider social and economic benefit to the countries in which it operates. Africell provides fast and reliable mobile network coverage and related technology services to over 16 million subscribers. Through a mix of voice and SMS products, data services, and Afrimoney (its mobile money platform), Africell helps sub-Saharan Africa share in the extraordinary long-term benefits of digital connectivity.

Africell is a disruptor. It challenges inefficiency, embraces fresh thinking, and delivers innovative products and services which make a practical difference to everyday people. Africell employs over 1,000 people in multiple countries and contributes indirectly to thousands more jobs. It is the only U.S.-owned mobile telecommunications operator in Africa and is based in London, U.K. The U.S. government, through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), is the company's biggest external investor.

Africell puts transparency at the heart of its operations. Prioritizing trusted technology suppliers such as Nokia, Africell’s network infrastructure offers benefits of security and resilience in addition to speed and reliability. Africell has a 20-year track record of growth, innovation and delivering outstanding telecommunications services across sub-Saharan Africa. It currently operates in four markets—Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, and the Gambia. 

Africell recently announced the Africell Impact Foundation, which will give enhanced support to initiatives that create social impact in the areas of education and entrepreneurship; arts, culture and heritage; and health, sports and wellbeing. Africell Impact aims to connect people to communities. Its ambition is to narrow Africa’s opportunity gap by deploying Africell’s expertise as a telecommunications operator to link people to the digital and physical resources they need to engage fully in community life.