Announcing the Inaugural

Meridian Global Leadership Award for Space Diplomacy

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr. (USMC-Ret.)

2024 Recipient

In recognition of his visionary leadership and demonstrated ability to strengthen ties between nations on Earth by forging camaraderie and advancing progress on a range of celestial issues.

Meridian International Center will honor Maj. Gen Charles Bolden with the institution’s inaugural Global Leadership Award for Space Diplomacy at the 2024 Meridian Diplomacy Forum.

The Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Bolden Group was the NASA Administrator from 2009-2017. Maj. Gen. Bolden served for 34 years in the Marine Corps and traveled to orbit four times as an astronaut commanding two of the missions and piloting two others.

Michael Suffredini

2024 Recipient

Michael Suffredini is a foremost authority on the development and operation of space stations. Founding Axiom Space, Mike assembled and heads a world-class team of experts to develop history’s first commercial space station, which will provide a seamless transition from the International Space Station (ISS).  

Mike finished a decorated 30-year career at NASA by serving as its International Space Station Program Manager from 2005 to 2015. In that time, he oversaw the development and operation of the 460-metric ton, permanently inhabited international orbiting laboratory. He led the transition of the 15-nation ISS Program, the largest international peacetime project in human history, from completion of assembly to research and commercial utilization. He previously held several ISS Program roles and, prior to that, was Assistant Manager of the Space Shuttle Program.  

The list of numerous awards conferred upon him include the President of the United States’ Rank of Meritorious Executive and Rank of Distinguished Executive, NASA’s Distinguished Service and Outstanding Leadership medals, the National Air and Space Museum Trophy, and the Yuri Gagarin Medal. He is an aerospace engineering graduate of the University of Texas.