On behalf of Women Leaders by the Circle, in proud partnership with Dr Catherine Ball, Australian representative for the XPRIZE Foundation, we are delighted to invite you to an exclusive boardroom luncheon in Sydney featuring one of the world’s most inspiring and visionary leaders:

Guest of Honour: Anousheh Ansari, CEO, XPRIZE Foundation |First female private and fully trained cosmonaut | Entrepreneur | Innovation Pioneer.

Anousheh Ansari is a trailblazing entrepreneur, engineer, and global change-maker whose story embodies resilience, innovation, and visionary leadership. Born in Iran during a time of political upheaval, she immigrated to the United States as a teenager, speaking little English and starting anew. She co-founded Telecom Technologies, Inc., revolutionising intelligent networks and building a multi-million-dollar success story. In 2006, Anousheh became the first female private space explorer and the first Iranian in space, spending eight days aboard the International Space Station. Her journey inspired millions, breaking barriers for women and minorities and proving that with bold dreams and relentless determination, nothing is out of reach. Today, as CEO of the XPRIZE Foundation, she leads global competitions tackling humanity’s greatest challenges — from climate action and health innovation to digital equity. A passionate advocate for women in STEM and social entrepreneurship, Anousheh continues to champion a more inclusive, sustainable future.

Anousheh’s life bridges adversity and achievement - from escaping war to pioneering in space and innovation. She exemplifies fearless leadership, the pursuit of bold ideas, and the power of inclusion in shaping a better world.

Here’s a sneak peek. Anousheh trained for months at Star City before launching on a Soyuz rocket and running experiments for ESA for 8 days on the ISS. Bring your best space/entrepreneurship/philanthropy questions. No holds barred. https://youtube.com/shorts/_fhW8-4zI5w?si=RyorYdAk3jsQ6nWa

This event is private and by invitation-only. To express your interest in attending this event please contact events@buscircle.com