Lisa Pataki
CFO, SES
Lisa Pataki joined SES at a transformative moment and helped shape the company’s next chapter. As SES integrates a major acquisition and invests in new space capabilities, Pataki’s focus has been on building a strong financial foundation that enables growth while maintaining discipline. She is particularly proud of helping align SES’ people, priorities and investments around a shared vision for the future.
“I’ve always been drawn to opportunities where you can help shape the future, which is one of the reasons I love the space industry,” Pataki said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see ideas that once seemed impossible become solutions that connect people, support critical missions and make a real difference in everyday life. Just as meaningful to me is helping others see what’s possible, whether that’s working with talented teams at SES or sharing experiences with the next generation of leaders.”
Government customers also need secure, resilient communications they can trust. While Pataki is not directly designing those solutions, she helps ensure SES is investing in the capabilities and infrastructure that allow government customers to operate with greater confidence and efficiency. By maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, SES can continue delivering the multi-orbit capabilities that help governments stay connected, informed and mission-ready wherever they operate.
Why Watch
In 2026, Pataki and her team are focused on turning transformation into long-term value. That means simplifying processes, improving how SES uses data, and ensuring every investment supports its strategy and customers. They are working to make finance an even stronger business partner across the organization so they can move faster, make smarter decisions and support SES as it continues to evolve as a leading space solutions company.
Fun fact: For the past decade, Pataki has been a guest lecturer in Boston College’s Perspectives on Management course, and it remains one of the most rewarding parts of her year. Engaging with students and discussing the intersection of finance, technology and space reminds Pataki how important it is to help people see new possibilities and opportunities. What continues to energize her about the space industry is watching bold ideas become real-world solutions that connect communities, support governments and improve lives around the world.