By: Amanda Beaulieu

Last week, CONNSTEP President & CEO Beatriz Gutierrez had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the White House to participate in the Space Workforce Roundtable. 

Hosted by the National Space Council, Gutierrez traveled to Washington, D.C., joining other MEP center leaders and stakeholders from across the space enterprise in a collaborative effort to discuss how best to inspire, prepare, and employ future generations in this critical sector.  

“It was an honor to be chosen to attend this event and represent CONNSTEP. Connecticut’s aerospace manufacturers play a vital role in the space enterprise,” said Gutierrez. 

The National Space Council, chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, is the White House policy council responsible for ensuring the United States capitalizes on the rich opportunities presented by our nation’s space activities.  

Dr. Quincy Brown, Director of Space STEM and Workforce Policy, National Space Council, welcomed the invitees. Opening remarks were given by Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator, and Chirag Parihk, NSpC Executive Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President.  

Several members of the Space Workforce Coalition, a national Community of Practice created to address both current and future needs of the space sector, discussed takeaways from two years of the coalition’s existence.  

Coalition members who spoke included Karin Hoffman, Director of Workforce Integration for Space Florida and Jess Kostelnik, Senior Policy Advisor-Workforce for the Colorado Governor’s Office. 

Attendees participated in meaningful conversation and shared valuable information about how to excite and engage the future Space STEM workforce through the Space4All campaign. A public-private partnership aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and future career opportunities in space, Space4All is comprised of community organizations, corporations, government, and academic institutions working together with leaders in the space industry. 

“As Connecticut’s MEP, we are proud to be part of the effort to prepare a diverse, inclusive workforce for the future and beyond,” said Gutierrez.