Sonia Kastner

Sonia Kastner is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Pano AI, a climate-technology company using artificial intelligence and imaging systems to transform wildfire detection and response. Under her leadership, Pano AI was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2025 for its pioneering role in early fire detection and wildfire mitigation.

Kastner co-founded Pano AI in 2020 with the mission of giving first responders critical minutes to act during wildfire outbreaks. The company deploys a network of ultra-high-definition cameras integrated with satellite imagery and AI algorithms to detect smoke plumes as soon as they appear. Today, Pano AI’s systems monitor more than 30 million acres across the United States, Australia and Canada, serving more than 250 first-responder agencies and dozens of public and private organizations including utilities, governments, ski resorts, forestry groups and landowners.

Since its founding, Pano AI has raised nearly $90 million in venture capital to expand its operations and technology. The company also integrates human oversight with a 24/7 intelligence center that verifies alerts in real time, reducing false alarms and strengthening trust among agencies and communities that rely on its services.

Before founding Pano AI, Kastner built her career in operations and supply-chain leadership at a range of mission-driven technology companies. She held roles at Nest, Whistle and several solar energy and IoT firms, and also worked in economic development for the City of New York under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Kastner holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Under her leadership, Pano AI has earned industry recognition beyond the Time100, including being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Artificial Intelligence. Kastner emphasizes that early wildfire detection is not just about technology, but about safeguarding communities, landscapes and lives.