ABOUT EFA

Brian Collins has 35 years of experience innovating and building software and space technologies that serve public safety, the fire service, and national security. He currently serves as the Executive Director for Earth Fire Alliance, a global, community-led, nonprofit coalition aligned to deliver transformative near real-time data from all wildfires on Earth. EFA’s flagship program is FireSat, a space-based infrared detection and characterization system designed
specifically for wildfires, providing timely and trustworthy data directly to agencies around the world to protect their communities.

Across his professional career, Brian successfully directed high-profile remote sensing and decision support initiatives within the United States Government and the commercial sector. An experienced entrepreneur, Brian has co-founded, led, and advised leading fire and public safety geospatial data intelligence and software companies. He previously served as Director for Operational Elements within the U.S. defense and intelligence communities and led the engineering and development of satellite systems for the Boeing Company, Autometric, Adroit Systems, and SRA.

Brian is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He holds an M.S. in Space Systems Operations from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University.

Ann Kapusta leads user-community engagement at Earth Fire Alliance, focusing on accelerating the adoption and applied use of new technologies and data across the wildfire community. She works with fire agencies, wildfire
researchers, climate scientists, and practitioners to translate innovative tools into practical, community-level applications — ensuring the Alliance’s efforts deliver measurable impact.

During the formation of Earth Fire Alliance, Ann played a central role in building the organization as a collaborative, global effort advancing innovative technologies and approaches to address the frontline challenges of the wildfire crisis. Through her work in establishing the Alliance, she has championed an approach grounded in equitable access, community partnership, and applied wildfire science.

After a decade in the aerospace industry working on satellite technologies, space weather research, and biological experiments aboard the ISS, Ann was awarded the Silver Snoopy, NASA’s highest recognition in support of human spaceflight. In 2015, Ann founded Mission Operations, an agency supporting the connection between space, private industry, and social and climate justice.

Dr. Karen O’Connor is a scientist, strategist, and executive leader with 25 years of experience driving change at scale through engagement with government, the private sector, and the philanthropic sector. She has led the way in outcome-focused innovation, using her extensive experience working alongside front-line operators in Defense and Emergency services to accelerate the adoption and operationalization of emerging technologies.

Karen is a Founding Principal of the Earth Fire Alliance and currently leads international engagement and strategic development for the organization. Prior to joining Earth Fire Alliance, she spearheaded the philanthropic funding of multiple projects through her role as the lead of Minderoo Foundation’s FireShield Mission, including Spark Operational, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, and XPRIZE Wildfire. She was also on the advisory committee for Convective Capital, a venture capital focused on firetech.

Prior to her work with the philanthropic and emergency services sectors, Karen was the Director of CSIRO’s National Digital Missions, bringing together researchers from multiple disciplines to solve a range of issues through data and digital lens and was the Science Portfolio Director for the Department of Defense’s Next Generation Technologies Fund, a $730 million program aimed at enhancing collaborative innovation across research and industry sectors. She holds a Ph.D. from Monash University, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Melbourne.

Mike joined EFA from NASA Headquarters, where he served as Program Manager for the Wildland Fire Program and facilitated the development of wildland fire science and technology to drive actionable outcomes for fire management and resilience. In that role, he defined and executed strategic priorities for NASA’s wildland fire portfolio, led multidisciplinary teams, and was a key player in national and interagency efforts focused on advancing fire science, data, and technology innovation.

Before joining NASA, Mike built and grew an internationally recognized program in remote sensing and ecosystem science as a professor at Colorado State University, University of Minnesota, and Michigan Technological University. Having previously served as a wildland firefighter and state and tribal natural resource management specialist, the throughline among Mike’s academic, government, and non-profit work is a focus on making sure science and technology serves those in need of solutions on the ground.

Courtney Oliver serves as Director of the FireSat Program Office at Earth Fire Alliance. EFA’s flagship initiative, FireSat, is a pioneering space-based wildfire detection and characterization system that provides timely and reliable data to agencies worldwide, empowering those on the front lines to protect their communities. In her role, Courtney leads FireSat space operations program strategy and execution, driving technological advancements that support proactive wildfire management and global environmental resilience.

With nearly two decades of experience in aerospace, Courtney brings a wealth of expertise to her position at EFA. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, complemented by her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Before joining EFA, Courtney served as COO at Revolution Space (formerly Accion Systems), where she led operational advancements for in-space propulsion technology. Her prior experience includes work in ISS Mission Operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and roles at the Space Telescope Science Institute as both a Systems Integration and Test Engineer and a Program Manager. Courtney is committed to the seamless integration and execution of complex, multidisciplinary space programs that make transformative impacts on Earth.

Sean joined EFA in 2025 after more than 20 years at the USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, where he was a frontline leader in fire and aviation management. During his government tenure, Sean developed extensive partnerships and oversaw collaborative programs to enhance wildfire response through cutting-edge technology and data solutions while working at the Alaska Fire Service and National Interagency Fire Center.

His expertise spans wildfire operations, aviation support, resource tracking, remote sensing, and emerging technologies—all driven by a passion for innovation and collaboration.

Sean has received multiple Special Achievement in GIS awards from Esri and a Star Award from the Bureau of Land Management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in history & geography from Frostburg State University.

As Earth Fire Alliance’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, Max builds the engagement and licensing frameworks that enable EFA’s programs – including the FireSat constellation – to scale and sustain their global impact. She architects the complex partnership structures required to bring satellite wildfire data to local actors on the front lines. Max also leads engagement of the private sector in order to propagate EFA’s impact into the commercial world and secure diverse funding streams for mission sustainment.

Max has dedicated her career to accelerating the adoption of infrared satellite technologies designed for environmental and scientific impact. She developed this expertise working at the intersection of impact and commercialization within Planet Labs, the Carbon Mapper Coalition, and multiple scientific data startups. She specializes in building robust business models that allow visionary impact-driven missions to thrive in our competitive commercial world.

Her personal mission is to leverage technology to help humanity adapt to climate-driven disasters – from fire to pollution – and live in greater harmony with the ecosystems we all depend on. When not working or enjoying the outdoors, Max is dedicated to building LGBTQ+ community within the climate sector, serving as a Steering Committee Member and LA Chapter Lead for Out in Climate, and as a mentor with the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

In her role as Director of Strategic Communications at Earth Fire Alliance, Kristin Q. Cody leads global external affairs, storytelling, media relations, and branding. She led the 2025 FireSat protoflight launch and first wildfire imagery release campaigns in coordination with Alliance partners, securing widespread high-profile international media coverage.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Kristin has worked across large publicly traded companies, venture-backed startups, nonprofits, and the newsroom. She previously served as Director of Communications at True Anomaly, where she led milestone PR campaigns including a $100M Series B raise, factory grand opening, and inaugural satellite launch. Her prior roles also include communications leadership positions at Maxar Technologies (now Vantor) and the nonprofit United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).

Kristin is also the founder of Astraea Strategies, a strategic communications advisory firm serving organizations at the intersection of space, deep tech, and global resilience. She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Creative Writing from SUNY Oswego.