Charlie McGillis

Founder & CEO, 2 Polaris & Beyond

Charlie McGillis is a dynamic senior executive boasting over three decades of experience in defense and leadership roles. As the Founder & CEO of 2 Polaris & Beyond, LLC, she spearheads strategic initiatives, business development, and engagement endeavors globally across both public and private sectors. With a focal point on the national security space mission, she endeavors to propel impactful advancements in our world and beyond. Concurrently, she serves as Vice President, Public Sector at The Provenance Chain™ Network in a fractional capacity as well as a Partner at Elara Nova Consultancy. Charlie serves as a Board member of Catalyst Campus, serves on the TraCSS Independent Review Board for Department of Commerce, Mentor for Creative Destruction Lab Space Sector, and Advisor on the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Project Air Power.

Throughout her illustrious career, Charlie has held various high-profile positions, including Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Strategy at Slingshot Aerospace and Vice President of Business Development, achieving remarkable growth in new business development under her leadership. Notably, she provided consultancy services to the CSpOC Commercial Integration Cell, facilitating enhanced coordination between seven Commercial Satellite Operators and the United States Government. With over 26 years in the United States Air Force, she retired as a Colonel, culminating her service as the Director of Intelligence at Fourteenth Air Force (Space), overseeing intelligence operations crucial to supporting Air Force space forces.

Charlie’s educational background is equally impressive, holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, along with postgraduate studies in Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Military Arts and Sciences, and a Master of Strategic Studies from esteemed military institutions.

As a recognized expert in defense operations and intelligence, Charlie is a sought-after speaker at conferences, advocating for advancements in space sustainability, security, and safety. Her contributions have earned her accolades, including recognition as one of the Top 30 Space Executives to Watch in 2021. She actively contributes to the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) as co-lead for the committee on Space Traffic Management Conference and as a member of the Commission 5 on Space Policies, Law & Economics.

Beyond her professional commitments, Charlie is dedicated to promoting STEM initiatives for girls through her involvement with AstraFemina. Charlie is also an avid golfer.