Today, our guest is Susan Kilrain, someone who has not just pushed boundaries, but also defied gravity in the process. Starting her journey with a private pilot's license at age 17, Susan has navigated an incredible career path. Despite being denied a place in the Air Force because they’d fulfilled their annual quota of woman, Susan turned this setback into setups for greater achievements. She went on to become a distinguished American aerospace engineer, a United States Navy officer, and a NASA astronaut. Susan’s record as the youngest person to pilot a space shuttle, being only one of three women, still stands today. She has over 3,000 hours flight time under her belt, and was the recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal. Yet, her impact isn't confined to her achievements in air and space. Susan is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, and a firm believer in the importance of education, encouragement and removing barriers for the next generation of the space industry,

Today’s guest is self-professed accidental space cadet, Heather Leser. Heather’s early career started in healthcare, but she navigated her business and management skills through retail, non-profit, and even marketing, until she landed a role as executive assistant to the CEO of Eta Space. It was here that she discovered her love for space, climbing the ranks to her current role as Chief Administrative Officer. Heather's unplanned voyage into space has shaped her calling, and she now cherishes her position in the industry. Aside from Eta Space, she also supports Laura Forczyk, a space consultant and career coach, utilizing her honed HR and administrative skills. As a people-loving individual, Heather embodies the range of skills needed in the space sector. Join us as we explore her journey from an accidental space cadet to a crucial industry player.

We’ve got a very special guest on the podcast this week – we’re sitting down with Melissa Quinn, the newly announced general manager of Seradata. Born and bred in the heartland of rural Canada, Melissa was immersed in the world of aerospace from a young age. From her small-town roots, her love for global aerospace markets and economics propelled her across the world to the prestigious London School of Economics. There, she earned a master’s degree in economics, laying the foundation for an extraordinary career. As an accomplished strategic leader with over 13 years in aerospace, Melissa is dedicated to shaping the industry with a vision that's both ambitious and purposeful. She's a strong influence in the push for the sustainable use of space for good, we well as passionate advocate of inspiring  the next generation to embrace STEAM careers. Melissa’s story is one of passion and perseverance - stay tuned as we delve into her incredible career journey and her vision for the future of the industry.