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Karen knows space. From a young age, she embraced the mission of exploration and scientific discovery—in part because her parents worked at NASA for a combined total of 72 years. She recalls her father having the second coolest job at NASA (short of being an astronaut): He ran the Zero Gravity Program that trained astronauts by flying planes in parabolic arcs over the Gulf of Mexico. What’s more, the movie Apollo 13 was filmed on his plane.

Her mom worked in the payload (science experiments) and astronaut offices. Karen’s interest grew further when she saw the impact the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion had on her classmates and their families. She knew she wanted to be part of NASA to support the mission.

Karen was offered full-time employment by a NASA contractor after her successful completion of several college internships. For the next 34 years, she focused on the mission of space. 

Today at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Allen, Karen provides NASA with agency-wide strategic and technical support, leading more than 200 specialists who help engineer the future.

Others have spoken highly about working with you and your leadership skills. What motivates you to lead and mentor others?

I’m all about the people. I really believe that if your staff is taken care of, and their needs are heard and met, they’ll be able to perform their best. Our people are our business.

Describe a time when you led with purpose.

As part of a Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Allen-sponsored opportunity, I volunteered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a nonprofit that helps these victims and their families. They were looking to rebrand their organization, and our team of five Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Allen leaders worked to help NCMEC evolve. Since I knew the work directly affected vulnerable children, leading with purpose here was imperative. I’m still passionate about that organization and the work that we did there. 

What tips can you share about mentoring and motivating others?

Listening is key—it’s about active listening and making sure you know who the person is that’s sitting across from you. It’s about understanding where they are and how you are going to lead or mentor them. I do a lot of observing and develop my own style from others I admire at NASA and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Allen.

Why is the NASA program and space exploration important to you?

The space program is a national treasure—the things we’ve learned from working in space have benefitted the world. For example, growing crystals in space is helping develop better medicines here on Earth. In addition, efforts from the International Space Station have enhanced water purification processes around the world. There are all sorts of advancements because of work in space—and there’s still more to be done.

NASA has been given the challenge of putting American boots back on the Moon. Heading back there—and to Mars—will enhance medical advancements that help people on Earth as well. We’re leaning into that goal. 

Finish this sentence: The future is…

Space.