Gwynne Shotwell is a prominent American businesswoman and engineer, currently serving as the President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, where she has been instrumental in the company’s remarkable growth and success since joining in 2002. Initially hired as Vice President of Business Development, Shotwell played a crucial role in securing contracts that propelled SpaceX into the forefront of the aerospace industry, including a landmark $1.6 billion contract with NASA for cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station. Under her leadership, SpaceX has achieved over 100 successful launches, generating more than $10 billion in revenue.

Before her tenure at SpaceX, Shotwell spent over a decade at The Aerospace Corporation, where she honed her skills in space systems engineering and project management. Her technical expertise and leadership capabilities were recognized early on, leading to her promotion to Chief Engineer of a major satellite program. This experience laid the groundwork for her future successes in the commercial space sector, particularly in business development roles at Microcosm Inc., where she further developed her strategic acumen.

Shotwell’s contributions to the aerospace field have not gone unnoticed; she has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes and Fortune, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020. Her leadership has been pivotal in overseeing groundbreaking achievements, such as the first successful landing of an orbital rocket’s first stage and the launch of astronauts to Earth orbit, marking significant milestones in commercial spaceflight.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Shotwell is actively involved in promoting STEM education and has served on various boards, including the California Space Authority and Polaris Industries. Her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in engineering is evident through her participation in numerous initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers. Shotwell’s vision and dedication continue to shape the future of space exploration, making her a key figure in the industry.