Marking International Women’s Day, Elaine P. Ho, deputy associate administrator, STEM Engagement, NASA, says the organization has a partnership to reach one million girls – students in middle school and high school – to promote STEM and provide access to NASA content.
WorkingNation sat down with Ho at SXSW EDU 2023 in Austin.
She notes when thinking about NASA careers there are many positions beyond scientists and engineers. “We don’t necessarily think about the machinists, welders, electricians, fabricators that actually build the rocket, that build the satellites. These jobs are jobs that are critically important to NASA’s mission. And you can get these jobs right out of high school.”
“We have to do a much better job about communicating the exciting mission that people can contribute. Again, coming right out of college, stepping into a community college program, or a trade program. Right now, there is exponential growth in the amount of activity in the space industry. These jobs are available if students are willing to do some hands-on work. We know that’s an incredible way to contribute to this mission.”
Learn more about NASA STEM Engagement.
Dana Beth Ardi, PhD, Executive Committee, is a thought leader and expert in the fields of executive search, talent management, organizational design, assessment, leadership and coaching. As an innovator in the human capital movement, Ardi creates enhanced value in companies by matching the most sought after talent with the best opportunities. Ardi coaches boards and investors on the art and science of building high caliber management teams. She provides them with the necessary skills to seek out and attract top-level management, to design the ideal organizational architectures and to deploy people against strategy. Ardi unearths the way a business works and the most effective way for people to work in them.
Ardi is an experienced business executive and senior consultant who leverages business organizational transformation through talent strategies. She uses her knowledge and experience to develop talent strategies to enhance revenue and profit contributions. She has a deep expertise in change management and organizational effectiveness and has designed and built high performance cultures. Ardi has significant experience in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, IPO’s and turnarounds.
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Ardi is currently the Managing Director and Founder of Corporate Anthropology Advisors, LLC, a consulting company that provides human capital advisory and innovative solutions to companies building value through people. Corporate Anthropology works with organizations, their cultures, the way they grow and develop, and the people who are responsible for forming their communities of work.
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Ardi holds a BS from the State University of New York at Buffalo as well as a Masters degree and PhD from Boston College. She started her career as professor at the Graduate Center at Fordham University in New York.
