At Manufacturer’s Edge, we have long been aware of the outstanding achievements of our board member Shelli Brunswick and it looks like the rest of the world is starting to take notice as well. Shelli Brunswick has received numerous well-earned and deserved accolades this year culminating in her recent selection as a finalist for the WomenTech Global Awards for Diversity & Inclusion Officer and Role Model of the Year.
Please join us on December 3 for the awards ceremony. Registration is now open.
In the meantime, find out more about the nomination and Shelli Brunswick’s background:
Nomination Reason:
After decades as a military officer, Shelli Brunswick now serves as Chief Operating Officer of the internationally recognized Space Foundation, where she is overseeing a bold new non-profit initiative: the Center for Innovation and Education. After more than two years in development, the Center creates and delivers inclusive, innovative, and sustainable workforce development and economic opportunity programs at a time when people need them most.
Advocating for space technology innovation, Brunswick collaborates with organizations around the world to advance the opportunities for entrepreneurs. She has spearheaded the launch of the Space Commerce Entrepreneurship Program, attended by 275+ minority small businesses across the country to date, and the Junior Space Entrepreneur Program that has trained its first 26 teachers from 16 states and 50 students for a Moon-to-Mars mission, winning a Fast Company World Changing Idea award this year.
In addition to advancing the Center’s mission, Brunswick is also one of only 35 women worldwide to be selected by the United Nations as a mentor for its Space4Women program. The role is an important one to Brunswick, who believes mentorship is an integral component in developing a strong, qualified space workforce that will drive future innovation. Case in point, the concept of mentorship is integral to the Workforce Development Roadmap and five core disciplines at the Center for Innovation and Education.
A day doesn’t pass that Brunswick isn’t raising awareness, access, training, connecting, and mentoring women in the space economy.
Motivation and Comments:
Brunswick’s tireless work to advocate for the advancement of space technology innovation and the inclusion and diversity of underserved groups stems from staying true to values instilled while in the military. These pursuits fulfill Brunswick’s quest to put service before self by sharing her journey, giving back to the space community, and contributing to the development of the next-generation workforce.
“When I left Capitol Hill to come to Colorado Springs and work for Space Foundation, I told my team in the Air Force Congressional Liaison office that I saw this as an opportunity to serve the greater good beyond the military, and today I am living that out through the Center for Innovation and Education at Space Foundation, and my global outreach work with WomenTech Network, Space4Women, Women in Aerospace and many new initiatives that present themselves every day,” noted Brunswick.
Short Bio:
Shelli Brunswick is Chief Operating Officer and Executive Leader of the Center for Innovation and Education. A visionary for the space economy, Brunswick joined the Space Foundation in 2015 after a distinguished career as an acquisition and program management leader for the United States Air Force, working both within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
As a leading role model for women in space, Brunswick speaks at organizations and events around the globe to advance space technology innovation partnership and collaboration opportunities. She chairs the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation, hosts the Women’s Global Gathering annually at the Space Symposium, and was selected as a mentor for the United Nations Space4Women network. Brunswick serves on the board of directors for Manufacturer’s Edge, as well as the board of directors of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation.
Brunswick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and served as Professor of Acquisition Management at Defense Acquisition University.
