A vice-president at SpaceX, Lauren Dreyer oversees Starlink’s global operations – 150 markets and counting – and impact initiatives.
Dreyer has played a pivotal role in supporting Starlink’s mission to connect as many people as possible globally and facilitating Starlink’s impact in education, healthcare, farming, and disaster relief, especially in rural areas where traditional connectivity falls short.
Navigating the intersection of technology, business and regulation, her team’s efforts have allowed Starlink to help shrink the digital divide and give communities around the world a chance to grow on their own terms.
Dreyer joined SpaceX in 2006, and she has held numerous positions across the company, including working in business development, compliance, finance, risk management, corporate real estate, and human resources. Throughout all roles, she has focused on complex and critical operations.
A lifelong Texan, she was appointed to the Texas Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Board by Governor Greg Abbott in 2018. She also serves on the Baylor University President’s Leadership Council and the Mayborn Museum Board of Advocates. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M.
Dreyer currently serves as a co-chair on B20 South Africa’s Digital Transformation Task Force alongside Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Bassim Haidar, Shameel Joosub and others.
What do you think is the single biggest obstacle standing in the way of a digitally transformed world?
The single biggest obstacle seen all around the world is the acceptance of the status quo. When leaders envision the future their people need, and drive for rapid progress towards that future, remarkable transformation is possible.
Which region or country do you think is the most in dire need of digital inclusivity, and needs urgent assistance?
Every country in the world has areas with people offline. Identifying and developing detailed plans and success metrics to connect these areas deserves urgent priority. Fortunately, for the first time in history, advances in large satellite constellations means that technology is no longer a constraint. Every country can now access the tools they need to close the connectivity gaps in their countries.
From your work with Starlink, do you think there’s a way to speed up digital inclusion and transformation inexpensively?
Absolutely. As of this moment, Starlink has the technical capability to connect every square kilometre of the planet with high-speed, low latency internet without the significant expense and time required to roll out ground infrastructure.
This means previously unconnected communities now have access to better education, healthcare and economic opportunities, irrespective of where they live.
Students being able to access online tools for free is transformational not only for the individuals but for communities and societies. Doctors located in remote villages but being able to consult real time with specialist colleagues in urban areas is digital transformation for the wellbeing of patients. And, individuals having the ability to sell their products directly to a broader audience, or access market information to know they are getting fair prices, makes the global marketplace stronger.
But too often what stands between people and those resources is a lack of regulatory urgency and prioritisation of public interests. Setting and holding expedited schedules for processing applications is an inexpensive way to speed up the access to connectivity that people need. Everybody wins when regulatory approvals are efficiently granted, and everybody loses when regulatory delays linger and drag on. We should be counting in hours or days, not months and years.
Do you have any suggestions for the B20 SA on how to close the digital divide quicker?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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