Talal M. Al Kaissi
Vice President - Space Program - G42 Space

Talal Al Kaissi joined G42 in September of 2020 as Vice President – Space Program in the CEO’s office. Talal’s role will be to lead the development of a space vertical within G42 inclusive of an investment thesis, products and offerings that can leverage the robust AI and cloud computing capabilities G42 has, as well as provide support to the UAE national space program’s ambition to develop a commercial space ecosystem.
 
Talal joined G42 after 2 years at the UAE Space Agency as an Advisor to the Director General on Strategic Projects. Among several duties one of his core focus functions was supporting the activation of the UAE Space Agency Investment Promotion Plan, and the development of a holistic national Space Economy with an emphasis on attracting space startups and investments to the UAE. Additionally Talal provided strategic support to both the Policy & Regulatory Directorate, as well as Space Missions Management Directorate. Talal also serves as the UAE representative to the World Economic Forum Council on Space Technology.
 
Prior to his role at the Agency, Talal served at the UAE Embassy in Washington DC for 9 years as a Sr. Advisor for Commercial Affairs at the UAE Trade & Commercial Office and also led US / UAE Space Affairs. The role entailed bilateral trade policy and commercial issues to advance the UAE’s interests in the US and attract FDI into the UAE. On the Space Affairs front, Talal worked closely with the UAE Space Agency to put together a Framework Agreement with NASA and build ties with US Government stakeholders, Academia, and Industry.
 
Talal also worked in the Energy sector at KBR where he led Business Development efforts for the GCC region in the downstream petrochemical segment and was based between Houston, TX, Dubai - UAE, and Khobar - Saudi Arabia.

Talal graduated from California State University in Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in International Business in 2006. He also holds a Finance Certification from Georgetown University in Washington DC, and a Certificate from the International Space University.