Anousheh Ansari '25 Contributor Since 2025

Dr. Anousheh Ansari is serial tech entrepreneur, astronaut, changemaker, and published author and speaker. Ansari is currently the CEO of XPRIZE, the world’s leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges. The first female private astronaut, and successful Tech entrepreneur, she has developed transformative technologies for decades and is a global presence in future-positive tech markets as well a resonant voice for women within STEM, business, and the entrepreneurial industries. 

Ansari and her family sponsored XPRIZE’s first competition : the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE that ignited a new era for commercial spaceflight. She began serving on its Board of Directors and became CEO of XPRIZE in 2018, leading and scaling the foundation to its highest impact period in its history. To date, XPRIZE has launched 30 prizes offering over $500 million in prize purses, hosting over 35,000 innovators from around the world to participate in its competitions.

Ansari was recently named to Forbes 2025 Sustainability Leaders list for her work to redefine climate leadership. She has received many awards and recognitions as an entrepreneur and agent of positive change.