Wanda Austin

Dr. Wanda Austin
Born	1954 (age 69–70) The Bronx, New York
Nationality	U.S.
Occupation	Engineer
Engineering career
Discipline	Aerospace
Institutions	American Academy of Arts and Sciences United States National Academy of Engineering American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics NASA Advisory Council U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee Defense Science Board
Engineering career

Wanda Austin is the President and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect for the nation’s national security space programs. The Aerospace Corporation has nearly 3,700 employees and annual revenues of more than $850 million. She assumed this position on January 1, 2008.

Biography

Early life

Austin was born in Bronx in 1954 to a barber and was the middle of all three sisters. She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College, master’s degree in systems engineering and mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate in systems engineering from the University of Southern California.

Career

Austin is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, International Academy of Astronautics, Defense Science Board, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Austin previously was senior vice president of The Aerospace Corporation's National Systems Group, which supports the national security space and intelligence community. Prior to that, Austin served as the company’s senior vice president of the Engineering and Technology Group.

She is internationally recognized for her work in satellite and payload system acquisition, systems engineering, and system simulation. Before joining Aerospace, Austin was a member of the technical staff at Rockwell International.

In 2009, she was named Black Engineer of the Year and also served as a member of NASA Advisory Council and U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee, both of which were White House commissioned. In 2010, the White House appointed Austin to be a Defense Science Board member. In 2011, she was elected as fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Commitment to STEM fields

Austin is committed to inspiring the next generation to study the STEM disciplines and to make science and engineering preferred career choices. Under her guidance, The Aerospace Corporation has undertaken a number of initiatives in support of this goal, including participation in MathCounts, US FIRST Robotics, and Change the Equation. Austin was among the first CEOs to commit to Change the Equation.

Awards

Austin has received numerous awards and citations. Among them are the National Intelligence Medallion for Meritorious Service, the Air Force Scroll of Achievement, and the National Reconnaissance Office Gold Medal. In 2010 she received the AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management, and is a recipient of the 2012 Horatio Alger Award and the 2012 NDIA Peter B. Teets Industry Award.

External links

• The Aerospace Corporation