Cynthia Bouthot is Director of Commercial Innovation and Business Development at the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), where she drives the application of space-based technology into non-traditional space business. Cynthia heads a team of business development professionals that focus on generating flight projects for the ISS NL in the life science, energy, chemicals, materials, clean tech and IT sectors. Prior to this, Cynthia was President of the Collaborative Innovation Group, an organization focused on providing the tools and methodologies to establish successful product offerings, develop efficient routes to market, and build image and brand. Cynthia is also a founding Partner of the Russia Innovation Collaborative, where she developed appropriate cluster strategies and propositions that allow optimal penetration of new markets. Cynthia was Consul & Head of Trade and Investment at the British Consulate-General where she led a team focused on international business development. Cynthia also has broad experience in both the public and private sectors. She directed management systems for the MA Port Authority and headed up the State's trade office in London. While In the private sector, Cynthia spent a large part of her career leading change initiatives and implementing challenging technology programs. Cynthia was Global Lead of Business Readiness for EMC's ERP implementation, and as Director of Industry Consulting at Benchmarking Partners she worked with a range of public and private clients on technology change initiatives. Cynthia regularly speaks to audiences and moderates panels on innovation, commercialization, & entrepreneurship. She has many professional affiliations including being named a mentor in the Boston University Kindle program. Cynthia began her career with Honeywell Bull in finance and auditing. She holds a BS (magna cum laude) from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management with a major in Finance and a Masters degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University.