Women in Space - Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation Shelli Brunswick on The Role of Women in Space Technology
“More women will pursue careers in space technology and space travel for two predominant reasons: First, Commercial expansion in the space ecosystem accounts for 80% of new opportunities, and second, the space economy is resilient and expected to grow to $1-3 trillion by 2030. As industries relying on space technology are broadening and intersecting in exciting ways, traditional barriers to entry are disappearing.” We are excited to start our second year with today’s woman dreamer, Shelli Brunswick, a true pioneer leading the way for women interested in space. A true global woman, she shares her exciting journey from serving in the Air Force in Turkey and Germany to her life in the role of COO of The Space Foundation. Enjoy her empowering story below!
1) Tell us your story. You are quite the multi-faceted woman and thought-leader. What inspired your interest in space?
I joined the United States Air Force right out of high school, got my degree by going to school at night, and was selected to become an officer. I worked in acquisitions, primarily on space-related projects. My last five years on active duty, I had the privilege of working as a legislative liaison to the House of Representatives. I wanted to continue in the space industry and make a difference for future generations, and Space Foundation was the perfect fit.
2) You have had quite a career, from the Air Force to Space Foundation. Tell us more about your journey.
I look at my career in three distinct chapters to my journey. First, I was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Turkey and Germany, which gave me the chance to learn and understand other people, customs and cultures. I also worked toward my bachelor’s degree, courtesy of the Air Force’s tuition assistance program, taking classes at night while I served in the military by day.
After completing my bachelor’s degree through the University of Southern Colorado and serving 12 years as an enlisted airman, I was fortunate to be promoted to a space acquisition officer. This is where I really connected with space and learned how big the space industry could be, even at a time when the only way to get involved came through civil agencies such as NASA or through the military. It meant looking at ground stations, military launch vehicles, and satellites because that’s what space was at that time. It’s so much more today!
I went on to earn my master’s, completed Air War College, and served my last five years in the U.S. Air Force on Capitol Hill in a dream-come-true job as a congressional liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives, working through the ins and outs of space policy, budget and appropriations. This period gave me an understanding of the importance of advocacy, outreach and processes, and taken altogether, these experiences supplied all the necessary tools to become a strong candidate for a senior leadership position.
Space Foundation and the launch of our Center for Innovation and Education marks my latest phase, which I think will be the most important ever because of the size of the market opportunity and the lives that will be touched through this vital work.
3) You are now the COO of Space Foundation, advocating for space technology and education. Tell us more about your role. What are some of the most rewarding projects you have been a part of during your career in the space world?
After decades as a military officer, I now serve as chief operating officer at Space Foundation, a nonprofit advocate organization founded in 1983, offering a gateway to information, education and collaboration for space exploration and space-inspired industries that define the global space ecosystem. I oversee the operations of three divisions: Symposium 365, Center for Innovation and Education and Global Alliance.
After more than two years in development, Center for Innovation and Education is one of my most rewarding initiatives. It was launched to create and deliver inclusive, innovative and sustainable workforce development and economic opportunity programs at a time when people need them most and the $424 billion space economy is primed with career opportunities.
Humbly, I was honored in 2020 as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Role Model of the Year by WomenTech Network for my global advocacy to make space careers available to all people. I was also selected by the United Nations as one of 35 inaugural global mentors for its Space4Women program. These roles are very rewarding to me because mentorship is an integral component in developing a strong, qualified space workforce that will drive future innovation. In fact, mentorship is one of our five core disciplines at Center for Innovation and Education.
As a passionate role model for women in space, I speak to organizations and at events around the globe to advance space technology innovation partnership and collaboration opportunities. I take great pride in bringing people together to raise awareness and launch programs. I chair the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation, host the Women’s Global Gathering annually at Space Symposium, and serve on numerous boards, regionally and globally. In the last year, I spearheaded workforce initiatives based on space-inspired curriculum, teacher training, and entrepreneurship in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
When I left Capitol Hill to come to Colorado Springs and work for Space Foundation, I told my team in the Air Force Congressional Liaison office that I saw this as an opportunity to serve the greater good beyond the military, and today my work with Space Foundation and organizations like WomenTech Network and Space4Women enables me to stay true to values instilled while in the military. These pursuits fulfill my personal quest to put service before self by sharing my journey, giving back to the space community, and contributing to the development of the next-generation workforce.
4) What are some key things happening in space tech/exploration that we should all know about, and be excited for in the coming future?
Virtually every industry on the planet has advanced as a result of tech transfer, the commercialization of space technologies for use on Earth, or space tech insertion, the application and integration of space-based technology products and services into established enterprises. This is the true return on investment of every space program.
Healthcare, transportation, communications, agriculture, energy, security, business and more have been transformed by space, and that transformation is only going to continue through the support of space policy, funding and engagement. Companies like Microsoft, Google and Garmin are using space technologies to provide navigation and tracking services, while real-time data is being used to track and monitor endangered marine species, locate survivors trapped in buildings after natural disasters, and find sources of safe drinking water.
But it is not just about what we can apply back on Earth today. There remain some great mysteries to uncover “out there” as well. With three missions to Mars over the last year, we are learning about our planetary systems in ways that were not possible previously. The implications could be enormous for colonization, tourism and sustainability for future generations.
With luminaries like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson and others making space cool again, and scientists like Jill Tarter studying extraterrestrial intelligence or Louis Allamandola searching for the chemical origins of life, new questions are being asked and answered. New seeds of excitement in space are being planted — now we just have to nurture them.
Not every person will get to ride on a rocket, see one lift off, or build a satellite or payload, but they can contribute to delivering space technology solutions that we depend on today and tomorrow.
In particular, NASA’s patent portfolio offers thousands of technologies for commercialization. It, as well as the Pentagon and other government and research organizations, support aggressive tech transfer programs that are at risk without the vision and talent of entrepreneurs to craft, refine and apply these technologies to real problems in space as a new frontier as well as on planet Earth — that is if we can build a broad-reaching space ecosystem that truly unites us all to further innovation.
5) Do you see more women pursuing a career in space technology/as well as space travel? How do you seek to empower other women interested in this space?
Absolutely, more women will pursue careers in space technology and space travel for two predominant reasons: 1) Commercial expansion in the space ecosystem accounts for 80% of new opportunities, and 2) the space economy is resilient and expected to grow to $1-3 trillion by 2030. As industries relying on space technology are broadening and intersecting in exciting ways, traditional barriers to entry are disappearing. The profusion of opportunities are now accessible to a vast talent pool, from rocket scientists to project managers to welders — in virtually every community around the world. Simply stated, there is no better time to be a part of the space industry.
The challenges for women and other underserved groups are deeply rooted in the systemic limitations of the traditional educational system, insufficient lifelong learning programs, and the absence of mentoring programs and role models.
6) You were Role Model of the Year 2020 for WomenTech Network and are empowering the next generation of women. As a platform for women dreamers, what is your next big dream?
My next big dream is to create access and opportunity around the world through space-inspired curriculum, space entrepreneurship, and teacher training.
I want to change the world by unlocking opportunities through partnership and collaboration to ensure all people are benefiting from space technology innovation in their daily lives.
Together we can change the world!
Thank you Shelli for sharing your inspiring story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Shelli Brunswick, COO of Space Foundation, brings a broad perspective and deep vision of the global space ecosystem — from a distinguished career as a space acquisition and program management leader and congressional liaison for the U.S. Air Force to her current role overseeing the operation of three divisions: Symposium 365, Center for Innovation and Education and Global Alliance. Advocating for space technology innovation, entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, Shelli collaborates with organizations around the world to connect commercial, government and educational sectors. Shelli actively participates with Women in Aerospace Foundation, Women’s Global Gathering, United Nations Space4Women, WomenTech Network, World Business Angels Investment Forum, New York University, Tod'Aérs, Manufacturer’s Edge, and Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. Connect with Shelli on LinkedIn and Twitter, and Space Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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