Anousheh Ansari founded and held high-level positions in numerous technology companies over the last two decades. Her most recent entrepreneurial endeavour is Prodea Systems. Prodea has addressed the technology needs of millions of global broadband users by providing a truly converged experience. Ansari made headlines around the world as the first female private astronaut, completing a mission aboard the International Space Station in 2006. She won the 2000 Working Woman National Entrepreneurial Excellence award and 1999 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Southwest Region. Ansari is a Member of the X Prize Foundation's Vision Circle and Board of Trustees. She encourages social entrepreneurs to bring about radical change globally, with organizations such as X Prize, ASHOKA and the PARSA Community Foundation. Ansari holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from George Mason University and an MSc in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University and an honorary Doctorate from the International Space University.