What makes your job at NASA exciting or unique?
For the past three years, I’ve been managing the budget for the Human Space Flight Communications and Tracking Network (HSF CTN) assisting several programs including the International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, the Human Landing System, Gateway, and Artemis, the next mission to the Moon. HSF has been the most exciting, rewarding, and unique project to support because I’m able to do what I love while helping to contribute to furthering exploration, communication, technology, and operations that will take us from the Moon to Mars. Communications is critical for all HSF missions. It’s not every day you work on a project that impacts humans going to space.
How does your job contribute to the Artemis missions and beyond?
The Artemis program will land the first woman and next man on the moon. I support the Artemis program managing their budget for communications. I work with the HSF Network Director, Mission Managers, and team to provide sound financials. I perform budget formulation and execution responsibilities to support their efforts in developing requirements, testing, and operations related to comm and help mitigate risks from a cost standpoint. I’m very excited to be contributing to the efforts of the first milestone Artemis mission, Artemis I, scheduled to launch later this year. This will enable humankind to acquire the technology and operations that will later take us from the Moon to Mars.
What was your inspiration growing up?
My parents were my inspiration. They worked hard every day to make sure my brother and I were presented with opportunities to be successful contributors to society. They instilled core family values and ensured we were positioned for greatness no matter what we chose to do once we grew up.
What’s your favorite thing about working for NASA?
As the HSF Financial Manager, I’m able to do what I love, Finance, while helping to contribute to furthering the exploration from low earth orbit to deep space and beyond, technology that will help us here on earth in the future.