President, SpaceX

Inducted in 2012

Gwynne Shotwell is president of Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) where she is responsible for day-to-day operations and for managing all customer and strategic relations to support company growth. She joined SpaceX in 2002 as vice president of business development and built the Falcon vehicle family manifest to over 40 launches, representing over $3 billion in revenue. Gwynne is a member of the SpaceX Board of Directors.

Gwynne spent over ten years at the Aerospace Corporation where she held positions in space systems engineering and technology, and in project management.

She was promoted to chief engineer of an MLV-class satellite program, managed a landmark study for the Federal Aviation Administration on commercial space transportation, and completed an extensive analysis of space policy for NASA’s future investment in space transportation.

Gwynne was subsequently recruited to be director of Microcosm’s space systems division where she served on the executive committee and directed corporate business development.

Gwynne won the 2011 World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space. She was also listed as the 90th most powerful woman in the world by "Forbes."

In 2004, she was elected statewide to the California Space Authority Board of Directors and served on its executive committee; she has also served as an officer of the AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee. Gwynne participates in a variety of STEM-related programs, including the Frank J. Redd Student Scholarship Competition. Under her leadership, the committee raised over $350,000 in scholarships in six years.

She has authored dozens of papers on a variety of subjects including standardizing spacecraft and payload interfaces, conceptual small spacecraft design, infrared signature target modeling, shuttle integration, and reentry vehicle operational risks.

Gwynne received, with honors, her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northwestern University in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics.

Wikipedia
"Forbes"
"Space News"