Stephen Kitay

Bio

Mr. Stephen Kitay is the Senior Director of Azure Space at Microsoft. In this role Stephen co-leads Microsoft’s efforts to support the mission needs of the space sector through cloud-enabled technologies. The Azure Space team is developing capabilities and services to extend connectivity across the world, simulate digital space environments, discover new insights, and drive innovation both on the ground and in orbit. Before this position, he was a member of the Senior Executive Service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Space Policy where he had a key leadership role in the establishment of the U.S. Space Force. As the DASD Space Policy, Stephen was responsible for establishing policy and guidance to assure U.S. and allied warfighters the benefits of space capabilities and to guide the Department’s strategy for addressing space-related issues. He also led the Department’s activities in international space cooperation. Prior to his time at the Pentagon, Stephen’s career included serving as an active-duty Air Force military officer, and he has held civilian positions in the Intelligence Community and on Capitol Hill with the House Armed Services Committee. Stephen also currently serves on the board of advisors of the Space Force Association and the National Security Space Association, and is an adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University.