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Elizabeth ColemanIntern, Northrop Grumman

My name is Elizabeth and I am a senior studying Computer Science here at 91´«Ã½. I have worked a few summers for Northrop Grumman on Space systems, and will be continuing there post-grad. I lead a club here at Boulder with a similar purpose to WOAA called CU Women in Computing, and really support this community, and am glad to be part of this event.

Dr. Trevor BennettCo-Founder, Starfish Space

Dr. Trevor Bennett is a co-founder at Starfish Space, where he leads the company across business and technology development. Prior to founding Starfish, he worked at Blue Origin on the New Glenn rocket as well as at both NASA Goddard and JPL on space robotic missions. He has extensive technical expertise in Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) algorithms with a particular focus on rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD). Trevor earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Penina AxelradDistinguished Professor, 91´«Ã½

Penina Axelrad is a Distinguished Professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. Since joining the department in 1992, she has supervised 27 PhD graduates, taught a variety of courses on topics including GPS, dynamics and systems, spacecraft dynamics, and statistical estimation, and served as department chair from 2012-2017. Her research interests include Global Navigation Satellite Systems and alternative technologies for spacecraft positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) and remote sensing applications. Dr. Axelrad is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the AIAA and the Institute of Navigation.

Dr. John KellerDirector of Fiske Planetarium & Distinguished Professor, Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, 91´«Ã½

Dr. John Keller is the Director of the Fiske Planetarium and a Teaching Professor of Distinction in the Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on occultations, astronomy education research, and teacher preparation. As Principal Investigator and co-Principal Investigator for multiple NASA and NSF funded projects, he has worked on initiatives for citizen science, science teacher preparation, and the development and distribution of fulldome films. Fiske Planetarium produces immersive full dome films that are shared with the planetarium community worldwide for free.

Skylar JeseritzSpace Lab Technologies

Skylar Jeseritz holds a Master's degree in Bioastronautics from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she also earned a certificate in Biomedical Engineering. She completed her undergraduate studies in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering, combining her interests in human spaceflight systems with biological and life support technologies. Skylar currently works at Space Lab Technologies, a startup based in Boulder, Colorado, where she contributes to the development of a plant growth chamber designed for operation on the lunar surface, called LEAF. Her work focuses on advancing controlled environment agriculture systems that support future long-duration human exploration missions. Driven by a strong passion for human spaceflight, Skylar is committed to helping shape the next generation of space exploration technologies. She is particularly interested in the intersection of aerospace engineering, life support systems, and space biology, and is excited to contribute to innovations that will enable sustainable human presence beyond Earth.

Sasha GladkovaSystems Engineer, BAE Systems

Sasha earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences with concentrations in Applied Math and Computer Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Sasha has held multiple research positions while studying as an undergrad. She started out by operating a telescope at the CASA lab at CU, then got an internship at NASA Goddard studying black holes. The following year, she joined the JILA Lab at CU to do research on dark matter. She then transitioned to engineering positions, first working at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab on the Europa Clipper spacecraft, then at Blue Canyon Technologies as a SmallSat systems engineer. During her final year at university, she began working at Ball Aerospace as a mission operations engineer for the Space Weather Follow On mission. After graduating in 2024, she changed roles at Ball (now called BAE Systems) to work on the freshly-awarded NASA GeoXO portfolio as a systems engineer. Due to her unique perspective as someone who worked in research and engineering, she has insight on many paths in the astronomy and aerospace world.

Madison ForsethSystems Engineer, BAE Systems

Madison Forseth is a systems engineer at BAE Systems, artist, and content creator dedicated to enabling a human future in space. Her work is on the NASA-NOAA space weather mission SOLAR, set to fly 1 million miles to Lagrange 1 in 2029 to monitor the sun for solar storms and coronal mass ejections. She also teaches Model-Based Systems Engineering, and contributed to a $1.2B proposal win through her MBSE work at BAE. Forseth is a 2023 Brooke Owens Fellow, a prestigious program for undergraduate women in aerospace. She holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from San Jose State University, where she graduated with honors in 2024. In prior years, her experience included assisting with research on Dark Matter at California State University East Bay. She is proud to have started her journey by attending Chabot College, a community college in her hometown of Hayward, CA. In her free time, Madison volunteers to speak to students and the public about space. She creates content on her Instagram account @astro.madison to inspire others and communicate the importance of a human presence in space. Madison served on the Steering Committee for Reinvented Magazine's 2024 and 2025 Space Gala, a celebration of women in STEM for which she co-lead the student scholarship program.

Kathryn Van ArtsdalenSenior Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin

Kathryn Van Artsdalen is a Senior Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin Space supporting docking operations and systems integration for Orion as part of NASA's Artemis program. She earned a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering & Bioastronautics from 91´«Ã½ and a bachelor's degree in Biology from Middlebury College. Previously, Kathryn held several internships at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in planetary protection and mission operations for the Mars Perseverance rover and Mars Sample Return Campaign. She is a recipient of the NASA Space Grant Fellowship and a certified Scuba Divemaster. Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys hiking, camping, paddleboarding, triathlons, skiing, and baking.

Jillian PaceControls & System Analysis Engineer, Blue Origin

Jillian Pace is an Aerospace Software Apps Engineer at Blue Origin, where she works in Controls and Systems Analysis on the BE-4 engine and recently supported the ULA USSF-87 mission in mission control. She started at Blue as a Systems Engineer in Engine Avionics Test, where she worked on designing and owning test equipment requirements for engine control units. Beyond her technical work, Jillian serves as co-chair of Blue Origin's Early Career Professionals Business Resource Group, where she leads annual strategic planning and coordinates programming across multiple sites. She was elected into this position after spending her first year as a Washington site lead for the resource group. Jillian holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a minor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and a certificate in Engineering, Ethics, and Society. During her time at CU, she served as Electrical Team Lead on her senior design project and worked as a Cleaning Lab Technician at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

Lauren McIntireSr. Software Engineer, Quindar Space

Lauren is a senior software engineer at Quindar, where they are revolutionizing satellite operations with intelligent, automated software designed to unify hybrid and proliferated fleets. Before Quindar, she helped bring next-generation automation to satellite operations and spaceflight safety at Kayhan Space through designing and building software suites focused on space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. She holds a Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Erika BailonSystems Engineer, BAE Systems

Erika Bailon is a systems engineer in the aerospace and defense industry with a background in software engineering and automated testing for complex mission systems. Her work at BAE Systems focuses on the integration and validation of ground and flight software that supports satellite operations and space missions. Erika previously worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and continues to contribute to technologies that enable reliable communication between spacecraft and mission control. She is passionate about building resilient software for space systems and mentoring the next generation of engineers, especially women and students from underrepresented communities in STEM.

Dr. Jade MortonDistinguished Professor, 91´«Ã½

Dr. Jade Morton is a University of Colorado Distinguished Professor and Helen and Hubert Croft Professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department at University of Colorado Boulder. Her research interests lie at the intersection of satellite navigation technologies and remote sensing of the Earth's ionosphere, atmosphere, and surface properties. She is a recipient of the AGU SPARC award, ION Burka, Thurlow, and Kepler award, and IEEE PLANS Richard Kershner award. Dr. Morton received her PhD in electrical engineering from Penn State. She is a fellow of IEEE, ION, and UK's Royal Institute of Navigation.

Sara SomersProgram Manager & Operations Director, SciTec Inc.

Sara Somers is a 2002 graduate of 91´«Ã½, from Astrophysics and Planetary Science (APS). She also has a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Space Operations from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling and Leadership from University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Sara served for over 23 years in the US Air Force as an officer and KC-135 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot. She logged over 2500 hours, including over 800 combat and combat support hours, serving in every theatre around the world. She led a variety of military units and operations at all levels from tactical to strategic. Recently retired from military service, Sara is now a Program Manager at SciTec Inc, where she leads several software development teams working in the defense/aerospace sector. Her current programs work directly on missile warning and defense, providing software solutions that identify and track missiles and aircraft around the world to provide advance warning for warfighters and allies. In her spare time, Sara enjoys skiing and travel with her husband and three active kids.

Andrea MarksChief of Staff, Sierra Space

Andrea Marks serves as Chief of Staff for the Defense Sector at Sierra Space, where she supports executive leadership in aligning strategy and coordinating execution across national security space programs. She previously led the Crew Systems, Robotics, and Payloads Integration teams responsible for designing the interior architecture of Sierra Space's commercial space habitat. Before entering the aerospace industry, she spent eight years in biotechnology research and development, working on innovative tissue-based technologies for complex wound care. Andrea holds a Master's degree in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She emphasizes design and creativity as drivers of innovation, often bringing together collaborators from fields such as industrial design, production design, special effects, film prop fabrication, and music.

Taryn TuckerStructural Analyst, BAE Systems

Taryn Tucker graduated with her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Colorado School of Mines in 2021, and her master's degree in mechanical engineering in 2022. Her master's degree area of study was mechanics of materials, material analysis, and manufacturing. Taryn spent 3 years working for Sierra Space (formerly Sierra Nevada Corporation) on the Dream Chaser program in a number of roles during her college career and found her passion for stress analysis through this role. Taryn currently works for BAE Systems INC. (formerly Ball Aerospace) as a structural analyst on a number of civil and Department of Defense Programs. Taryn is very passionate about expanding access for women interested in aerospace and loves to work with organizations such as WOAA and SWE whenever possible.

Erin EspelieCo-Founder, NEST

Erin Espelie is a writer, editor, and filmmaker whose work connects with current scientific research and environmental precarity. Her poetic, nonfiction films have shown at the New York Film Festival, the British Film Institute's London Film Festival, and more. She is the editor of Natural History magazine and an associate professor of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts, as well as the co-founder and co-director of NEST (Nature, Environment, Science & Technology) Studio for the Arts.

Ada ForsnerManufacturing Engineer, Boeing

Ada is a University of Colorado Boulder alumna with a strong foundation in systems and manufacturing engineering. She currently works at Boeing as a Manufacturing Engineer supporting the NASA Artemis Program, specifically contributing to the thrust structure for the Exploratory Upper Stage on Artemis IV. She earned her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with minors in Engineering Management and Space and has developed hands-on experience working closely with flight hardware, manufacturing planning, and cross-functional production teams. Her past work includes robotics research, satellite integration, and drone development, including leadership roles where she managed technical projects, supported test and manufacturing workflows, and coordinated across engineering and operations stakeholders. She is excited to continue building her career in manufacturing while further developing her skills in propulsion system development.