Kris Brown

Kris Brown serves as Deputy Associate Administrator for Strategy and Integration. In this position, she leads NASA’s STEM Engagement function, providing strategic direction and executive oversight of NASA’s STEM Engagement portfolio of efforts devoted to creating unique engagement and learning opportunities for students, including Congressionally appropriated investments in research and capacity building in institutions across the country. NASA’s STEM engagement investments are aimed at building a skilled, future STEM workforce. In her role, Brown leads an organization of over 150 people across NASA and a $143 million portfolio of investments. This work is critical to providing a pipeline of technical workers to bolster our nation’s leadership in aerospace and directly grow our economy via the aerospace sector.

Experience

Brown began her career at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center over 30 years ago as an engineer, devoting most of her career in the technical realm working on flight missions and as a leader in engineering. As a result, she brings unique perspectives as a STEM practitioner to her role, coupled with a strong commitment and passion for inspiring and engaging young people to pursue STEM education and careers.

Immediately prior to her current position, Brown led an agency team to define a new vision and direction for NASA’s scope of efforts in public and STEM engagement, creating the roadmap for NASA’s future work in this realm.

Previously, Brown served as NASA’s Office of Communications Director of Strategy and Integration, a key member of the leadership team orchestrating an overall program and organization encompassing 350 people. With a focus on strategic communications, Brown was the architect and leader of a comprehensive effort to transform the operating model for NASA communications, toward more effectively engaging people around the globe in NASA’s mission and work.

Earlier, as Deputy Chief of NASA Goddard’s Office of Communications, Brown led the organization responsible for the center’s communications and public engagement program.

Previously, Brown served as NASA Goddard’s Special Assistant for Strategy and Development where she led a diverse set of strategic initiatives to enhance the Center’s productivity, workforce, innovation and capacity to engage the public. In 2008, Brown led the development of Goddard’s strategic implementation plan, Blueprint for the Future, literally engaging hundreds of employees in the process. She also served as a co-author of NASA’s formal response to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report.

Throughout her career in engineering, Brown led endeavors devoted to advancing the state-of-the-art in practice and capabilities. She served as Head of Systems Engineering Services and Advanced Concepts, establishing the new organization, charged with delivering systems engineering services, leading the conceptualization of future NASA missions, and developing new engineering processes, tools and capabilities. As Project Manager for NASA’s Integrated Mission Design Center, Brown led a team in creating a new collaborative design capability for space mission design, from its inception through development and operations. At the request of NASA’s Chief Engineer, Brown led the Advanced Engineering Environment program, dedicated to building NASA’s next generation of engineering capabilities and infrastructure. Earlier, she served as mission systems engineer and mechanical systems manager for several spaceflight missions. Prior to government service, Brown spent 6 years in the private sector.

Education

Brown earned a B.S. in engineering from Virginia Tech. She is a graduate of NASA’s Project Management Development Emprise program. Brown was a Council for Excellence in Government Fellow, where her team was honored for creating the Kids In Science and Technology (KIST) initiative, dedicated to providing opportunities for students.

Awards

Brown is a 2024 recipient of a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, and has been awarded NASA’s Medal for Outstanding Leadership, NASA’s Medal for Exceptional Service, and NASA Goddard’s Outstanding Leadership Honor Award. 

Personal

Beyond work, Brown is actively engaged in the community and in the performing arts. She performs as a semi-professional musician and has served on several performing arts non-profit boards. She also volunteers and serves as a leader in community organizations.