SWANRise: Celebrating One Year and the Next Generation of Leaders in Space

On 12 November, Eutelsat proudly hosted the closing ceremony of SWANRise, the Space Women Alliance’s mentorship program designed to accelerate the leadership journey of women with 5–10 years of experience in male-dominated industries. The event brought together mentors, mentees, and industry leaders for an inspiring celebration of growth, connection, and impact.

Accelerating Leadership, Advancing Equity

Opening the evening, Christelle Astorg-Lepine, President of SWAN, reaffirmed the alliance’s mission: “to accelerate gender equity in the space sector by connecting, empowering, and elevating women and allies.” She highlighted how diversity fuels innovation and why investing in rising leaders is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive space industry.

Through SWANRise, mentorship becomes more than guidance: it becomes a catalyst for empowerment, confidence, and career acceleration.

A Global Program with Strong Results

This year’s edition of SWANRise supported 15 mentorships across eight countries and four continents, illustrating the program’s expanding international footprint.
Feedback from participants showcased strong, measurable outcomes:

• 95% reported strengthened leadership skills.
• 90% would recommend the program.
• Mentees highlighted increased confidence, global perspectives, and practical career insights

These results reflect the value of structured mentorship in helping women navigate and lead within traditionally male-dominated environments.

Leadership Lessons from Mariam Kaynia

A key moment of the evening was the fireside chat with Mariam Kaynia, Eutelsat’s Chief Data and Information Officer, who shared candid reflections on leadership, resilience, and growth.

She emphasized the role of perseverance and the importance of surrounding oneself with both mentors and sponsors: each playing a different but critical role in career success.

“Seek mentors for perspective, but seek sponsors to open doors.” 
Her insights resonated strongly with the audience, sparking conversations about advocacy, opportunity, and the power of support networks.

Eutelsat’s Commitment to Inclusive Talent Development

Eutelsat’s collaboration with SWANRise reflects its commitment to building an inclusive leadership pipeline and supporting meaningful initiatives across the industry.

Anne Carron, Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel, shared how the program took shape and highlighted leadership’s willingness to champion bold ideas.

Aymeric Genty, President of the Video Business Unit, underlined the multidisciplinary value of the initiative and the strong representation of women within his unit, reinforcing Eutelsat’s dedication to nurturing diverse talent.

Together, these perspectives showcased the organisation’s long-term commitment to empowering future leaders.

Looking Ahead: New Opportunities in 2026

SWAN closed the evening by unveiling an exciting expansion of its mentoring ecosystem for 2026.

SWANRise – Second Edition (Launching Q1 2026)

The next edition of SWAN’s flagship leadership program is now open for applications.

• Prospective mentees can apply now : simply share the application link.
• Mentor nominations can be sent to Pamela and Melanie at swanrise@spacewomenalliance.org or via LinkedIn.
• SWAN is also seeking volunteers to join the 2026 program coordinator team

Introducing SWANElevate (Launching Q1 2026)

SWAN also announced SWANElevate, under the leadership of Caroline Smoczarski and Clotilde Ravoux, a dynamic three-month sprint mentoring program designed for students and young professionals.

• Built around project-based tracks for hands-on experience.
• SWANRise mentees (Class of 2025) will remain engaged throughout the year.
• Rolling cohorts every three months ensure fresh perspectives and ongoing momentum

Together, SWANRise and SWANElevate create a powerful pathway supporting emerging talent across all stages of their careers.

A Shared Commitment to a More Inclusive Space Industry

The SWANRise closing ceremony ended with a collective sense of pride and forward momentum. As mentors and mentees reflected on their journeys, one message stood out clearly: progress happens when we lift one another.

Eutelsat is proud to stand alongside SWAN in championing a space industry where everyone has the opportunity to rise.