Awards & Recognition
★NASA Distinguished Service Medal (agency's highest honor)
★Partners in Educational Excellence Award from Antelope Valley Union High School District
★NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for COVID-19 task force work
Notable Facts
→First CEO of Virgin Galactic, serving for a decade (2011-2021)
→Former NASA Chief of Staff during Obama administration
→Elected to U.S. Congress representing California's 27th district in 2024
→Co-founder of Megafire Action organization for wildfire policy
→Created over 700 jobs at Virgin Galactic in the Antelope Valley
→Oversaw first woman to reach space on commercial vehicle
→Co-founded Yuri's Night global space celebration
→Served on Princeton University Board of Trustees