Shelli Brunswick
Chief Operating Officer, Space Foundation
How to Leverage Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Vibrant Space Economy
Space — once considered the final frontier and only accessible to a select few — is now home to the most dynamic and innovative economy on the planet. Today every community, infrastructure, and aspect of modern life is either acutely dependent on or indirectly affected by space-related technologies. These innovations span health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, industrial productivity, information technology, energy and environment, and more, impacting societies and regions across the globe. Opportunities abound, but it's complicated. Beyond the abundance of possibilities presented by collaboration between public organizations and private enterprises, NASA and the Pentagon, there is a workforce and skills deficit in the space industry. Without manpower at every level — from non-STEM laborers to business entrepreneurs to STEM experts — and continual career upskilling to enable the commercialization of space technology innovations, the full potential of the space economy for the betterment of humanity will not be realized. Not every person will get to ride on a rocket, see one lift off, or build a satellite or payload, but every person can contribute to delivering space technology solutions that we depend on every day, like more accurate weather forecasting, new materials for manufacturing goods, advanced global communications, healthcare innovation, and precision farming. Shelli will share a pragmatic workforce development roadmap and five core disciplines for becoming a space innovator. Shelli Brunswick, COO of Space Foundation, and Executive Leader for the Center of Innovation and Education, brings a broad perspective and deep vision of the workforce development roadmap and economic opportunities available to all people in the space economy — from a distinguished career as a space acquisition and program management leader and Congressional Liaison for the US Air Force — to her current role leading the Center for Innovation and Education. Shelli speaks at organizations and events around the globe to advance space technology innovation partnership and collaboration opportunities, chairs the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation, and hosts the Women's Global Gathering annually at the Space Symposium. In addition to advancing that program, Brunswick is one of only 35 women worldwide to be selected by the United Nations as a mentor for its Space4Women program. She was selected as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer / Role Model 2020 by WomenTech Network.
