LeoLabs Appoints Karen Cox as Chief of Corporate Affairs

Menlo Park, Calif., August 26, 2024 -- We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Karen Cox as Chief of Corporate Affairs at LeoLabs. With an extensive background in strategic leadership, government relations, and public policy, Karen brings a wealth of experience to the company. The newly formed role of Chief of Corporate Affairs will integrate LeoLabs’ government affairs, strategic communications, and marketing teams under one executive leader as the company gains significant customer traction across the U.S. government, the military and civil space agencies of U.S. Allies and Partners, and leading commercial space operators.

With a distinguished career that spans more than two decades in government and industry, Karen is uniquely suited to help lead LeoLabs in its transition from start-up to scale-up. She previously led government relations for nearly 10 years at Maxar Technologies, where she championed policies that accelerated the growth of the commercial Earth observation and space infrastructure industries.

	With a distinguished career that spans more than two decades in government and industry, Karen is uniquely suited to help lead LeoLabs in its transition from start-up to scale-up.

Throughout her tenure at Maxar, Karen helped to shape and expand programs of record that provide mission-critical support to the U.S. defense and intelligence community. This includes NRO’s multi-billion-dollar Electro-Optical Commercial Layer program—the largest ever commercial imagery acquisition, NGA’s Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery program, and the U.S. Army’s One World Terrain program. She also played a critical role in securing and maintaining funding for NASA’s Power and Propulsion Element that will power Gateway, the first space station in lunar orbit.

As Chief of Corporate Affairs, Karen will drive LeoLabs’ corporate strategy and external engagement efforts. Reporting directly to CEO Tony Frazier, she will work closely with external advisors to craft and execute a comprehensive strategy that underscores LeoLabs’ position as a leader in space domain awareness (SDA) and space traffic management (STM).

“The creation of a Chief of Corporate Affairs role is an important next step as the company and the markets we serve reach an inflection point,” Tony said. “Karen’s strong track record in advancing programs of record for dual-use technologies will be essential as LeoLabs solidifies its position as a thought leader and mission-focused partner.”

Karen’s deep understanding of the political landscape will be invaluable as LeoLabs helps shape dialogue around the future of SDA and STM. As a key advocate for LeoLabs, Karen will influence policies and appropriations, ensuring the industry’s interests are elevated during critical growth stages in a nascent regulatory environment.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join the incredible LeoLabs team,” Karen said. “I’m excited about the positive effects LeoLabs will have on the security and stability of the space domain and humanity’s future in space. The growth opportunities ahead are remarkable, and I’m eager to help LeoLabs further strengthen its position as a critical mission partner for customers around the globe.”

Karen’s additional experience includes as a Government Affairs Manager with Intelsat, a Congressional Analyst with the U.S. Air Force, and a Military Legislative Assistant for the U.S. Senate specializing in national security and space. Karen served as an Executive Committee Member on the Commercial Spaceflight Federation from 2021 to 2024. She’s also been a Board Member with the Washington Space Business Roundtable, Women in Aerospace, and with the Society for Satellite Professionals International, which awarded her its Promise Award for leadership in 2012.

Karen holds a Master’s degree in National Security Policy from the U.S. Naval War College and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Leadership Studies from the University of Denver.