Laura Ahmetaj
MBA Student at Harvard Business School
In 2018, Laura Ahmetaj earned her degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from New York University. Driven by her fervent passion for aerospace, she embarked on her professional journey at Northrop Grumman through their rotational development program. Initially immersed in manufacturing and flight testing of the Global Hawk, Laura's trajectory took a captivating turn when she encountered the awe-inspiring James Webb Space Telescope. Entranced by its intricacies, she swiftly redirected her focus to the Space Sector for her subsequent rotation.
For the next year and a half, Laura delved into the realm of space antenna manufacturing, honing her skills before recognizing her penchant for the earlier stages of program development. Seeking to broaden her expertise in the ideation phase, she transitioned to a pivotal role as a systems engineer within a Research and Development Group in a Capture Organization. Here, she spearheaded proposals that secured over $20 million in R&D funding from diverse clientele, significantly enhancing her organization's competitive edge in securing satellite constellation projects.
Laura found herself captivated by the dynamic resurgence of the space economy, particularly with her proximity to the burgeoning space startup ecosystem in Los Angeles. Five years into her career, she resolved to play a more influential role in shaping the future of the space industry, thus deciding to pursue an MBA. Harvard Business School emerged as the natural choice, thanks in large part to its groundbreaking research initiatives focused on the Space Economy and comprehensive coursework in the field.
Prior to commencing her MBA journey, Laura seized an opportunity to delve deeper into the space market as a VC intern at Marlinspike. This invaluable experience not only enriched her understanding of the industry but also provided her with direct insights from burgeoning startups. Post-business school, her ambition lies in nurturing and expanding the Space Startup Ecosystem, leveraging her newfound expertise and network to drive innovation and growth.
For the next year and a half, Laura delved into the realm of space antenna manufacturing, honing her skills before recognizing her penchant for the earlier stages of program development. Seeking to broaden her expertise in the ideation phase, she transitioned to a pivotal role as a systems engineer within a Research and Development Group in a Capture Organization. Here, she spearheaded proposals that secured over $20 million in R&D funding from diverse clientele, significantly enhancing her organization's competitive edge in securing satellite constellation projects.
Laura found herself captivated by the dynamic resurgence of the space economy, particularly with her proximity to the burgeoning space startup ecosystem in Los Angeles. Five years into her career, she resolved to play a more influential role in shaping the future of the space industry, thus deciding to pursue an MBA. Harvard Business School emerged as the natural choice, thanks in large part to its groundbreaking research initiatives focused on the Space Economy and comprehensive coursework in the field.
Prior to commencing her MBA journey, Laura seized an opportunity to delve deeper into the space market as a VC intern at Marlinspike. This invaluable experience not only enriched her understanding of the industry but also provided her with direct insights from burgeoning startups. Post-business school, her ambition lies in nurturing and expanding the Space Startup Ecosystem, leveraging her newfound expertise and network to drive innovation and growth.
