COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer Shelli Brunswick has been selected as one of 25 women from around the world to be part of the Space4Women Mentor Network, a program of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs that promotes gender equality and gender empowerment in the space sector. Role models within the Space4Women Mentor Network are space industry leaders and sector professionals with notable accomplishments that distinguish them among the global space community.
Together, these role models support women and girls around the world, and share their expertise, knowledge, and experiences to build an environment where women and girls can take their place as active and equal participants in space science, technology, innovation and exploration efforts. As global role models, each of the Space4Women Mentors is charged to raise awareness, offer inspiration and advocate for women and girls through their personal stories, and through coaching and sponsorship of women in space.
“I am deeply honored to serve as a Space4Women Network Mentor,” said Brunswick. “The future of the space economy is about creating partnerships and building capacity and by working together with like-minded advocates and mentors in government, business, education, the military and the space community, we can make a world-changing difference in the lives of women and the next generation of space contributors. The space community presents extraordinary opportunities for women that span all aspects of life and I cannot wait to work with my fellow mentors to further our impact. Space touches every citizen, community and country around the globe. I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to help mentor a new generation of talent and difference makers.”
Ms. Brunswick will be joining other Space4Women Mentors on “The First #Space4Women Show,” on Saturday, May 2, at 9:00 a.m. (MT). This is the first of a series of programs that will connect mentors and mentees from around the world in sharing experiences and discussing strategies to advance women and girls in space activities. The subject for this Saturday’s program is, “What Can Space Do for Women?” Interested persons can participate via Zoom at https://lnkd.in/dPdKxtC.
About Brunswick
As Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer, Brunswick serves as a corporate officer, and is responsible for Space Foundation operations, facilities, processes and personnel. Functions reporting to her include education, development/philanthropy, marketing and communications, operations, human resources and administration, customer service, information technology, facilities, maintenance, security and assurance. She has primary responsibility for Space Foundation headquarters, the Space Foundation Discovery Center, operational management of the annual Space Symposium and the Faga Forum on Space Intelligence. She also oversees government affairs activities in the Washington, D.C., office including relationships with government agencies, other space advocacy organizations and associations and corporate interests.
Brunswick joined the Space Foundation in 2015 after a distinguished career as an acquisition and program management professional for the United States Air Force, and finished her career as a key leader within the Air Force Congressional Liaison office working both within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. She was Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified in Program Management Level III, Financial Manager Level II, and a certified Space Professional Level III by the United States Air Force Space Professional Functional Authority.
From 2016-2019, Ms. Brunswick served as the Chair of Women in Aerospace (WIA), one of the most renowned professional organizations dedicated to the advancement and opportunities of women in the public, private and research sectors of this core international discipline. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the WIA Foundation which is dedicated to increasing the leadership capabilities and visibility of women in the aerospace community. Also, she serves on the board of directors for Manufacturer’s Edge, strengthening the competitiveness of manufacturers through coaching, training, and collaboration-focused industry programs, and by leveraging government, university, and economic development partnerships. Previously, she was a member of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Rocky Mountain Chapter.
Brunswick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is a Certified Project Management Professional through Project Management Institute, and was a Professor of Acquisition Management at Defense Acquisition University. .
About Space4Women
Space4Women is a project of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to promote women’s empowerment in space. Space4Women encourages women and girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and raises awareness about career opportunities and the importance of gender equality and empowerment in the space sector. Learn more by visiting space4women.unoosa.org/.
About Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, Space Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the world’s premier organization to inspire, educate, connect, and advocate on behalf of the global space community. It is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs, and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium. Space Foundation headquarters is in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, and has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®, and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office, as well as field representatives in Houston and on the Florida Space Coast. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space Certification™ and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit both websites — www.SpaceFoundation.org and DiscoverSpace.org — and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
