Shana Dale, a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute and former Deputy Administrator of NASA, is a recognized senior executive and leader in aerospace policy and in homeland security, and has broad experience in national security. She also has extensive federal government knowledge and experience, in areas such as legislative process, White House policy and procedures, and agency operations.

This week she spoke to Potomac Institute researchers and interns as part of a mentoring series by the Institute to develop the next generation of leaders in S&T policy and national security.

Ms. Dale led off the discussion by telling the story of her career, from her tenure as staff director for the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics to her leadership roles at OSTP and NASA. Ms. Dale was then asked to provide insight into the varying mechanisms of action and workplace cultures that each of these environments contained.

Serving as second-in-command, she was responsible to the NASA Administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction. Ms. Dale, along with the Administrator, led NASA as it undertook the enormous transition from retiring the Space Shuttle to developing the United States’ next human space flight capability. She represented NASA to the White House, U.S. Congress, other U.S. government offices, foreign governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the public.

During the discussion and question/answer period, she delved into the specific roles that she played at these offices and in the private sector and how they enhanced her career.