Dana Bolles
Working with NASA has its perks, says Dana Bolles, a 27-year veteran with the venerated organization. As a child, she was fascinated with space and now, “I get to work with some of the best and brightest people in the industry,” she tells GO. But more importantly, Bolles “love[s] serving the American people.” During her tenure with NASA, she has served in numerous positions, including in engineering, regulatory compliance, and public outreach, and is now the external information technology lead within NASA’s Science Engagement and Partnership Division. Throughout her extensive career, Bolles has used her platform to make space accessible to all, specifically for persons with disabilities; she was recently selected to be a Mission: AstroAccess Ambassador, which gives her an opportunity to advocate for including astronauts with disabilities. “Before I leave this lifetime,” she says, “I am making it a priority to do all I can to help this country truly understand the benefits of including people with disabilities in astronaut selections.” She was also included in STEM at the Smithsonian, an exhibit of 120 statues of women in science and technology, and has worked as an ambassador with If/Then, inspiring girls around the country to pursue careers in STEM fields. Though Bolles has spent over 27 years working with NASA, she believes life starts now. “At this time in my life, I didn’t think I would have ambition to do much of anything,” she admits. However, her achievements have led her to reconsider this assumption. “Perhaps my life is just now taking off!” –AB
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