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Diana Kelley

Principal
About

Diana Kelley brings experience in telecommunications and satellite policy, with a focus on the global expansion of new and innovative technologies. She has extensive knowledge in spectrum policy, market access, and identifying regulatory requirements for telecommunications and space companies seeking to operate internationally.

Diana has extensive experience engaging directly with national regulators to negotiate regulatory requirements and achieve desirable business outcomes for satellite and telecommunications providers across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia under aggressive timelines. She has successfully licensed innovative, first-of-its kind satellite technologies across all seven continents.

Before joining DLA Piper, Diana served as the Satellite Policy, Spectrum and Regulatory Affairs Manager at SpaceX in Washington, DC. In that capacity, Diana led international satellite and spectrum policy for Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation, with a focus on EU (European Union) & NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) countries. Diana created the company’s first foreign government defense sales program and led foreign defense business development and compliance efforts globally.

Previously, Diana led the company’s market access in Europe, including obtaining necessary licenses and permits for satellites, ground stations, and user equipment, securing spectrum access, and negotiating favorable regulatory requirements. Diana drafted advocacy pieces and lobbying strategies to promote the company’s policy positions on the national and international levels, including spectrum pricing, access to novel spectrum bands, earth station in motion (ESIM) licensing, satellite-to-cellphone frameworks, and licensing requirements for satellite and telecommunications systems. She has experience developing strategies, navigating, and participating in both regional and international telecommunications forums, including CITEL (Inter-American Telecommunication Commission), CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations), and the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) to further business priorities.

Diana has led cross-industry projects between satellite and terrestrial operators, including technical coordination discussions and enabled satellite-to-cellphone partnerships with mobile providers. She has a strong network in the satellite and telecommunications sector, including with national regulators, Ministries of Defense, fiber and ground infrastructure providers, satellite resellers in both the commercial and government sectors, national and global telcos, and mobile network providers around the world.

Diana is not a lawyer.

Education
  • M.A., Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
    magna cum laude

  • B.A., Bryn Mawr College

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • SpaceX "Kick-Ass Award" for exceptional performance and impact on the company (2023, 2024)
  • SpaceX "Flown Bolt Award" once-in-a-career award for outstanding achievement (2022)

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