Details

WISE: Women in Science & the Role of Business Travel

In recognition of Women in Science Day (WISE), our February GBTA chapter meeting will feature Susan Pope, a senior leader at Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) in space science and mission management, who will share insights from her career and how business travel supports complex scientific programs.

Ms. Pope currently serves as Executive Director of the Space Science Division, leading more than 200 employees across multiple space science missions.  In addition to her line management responsibilities, she is the Payload Project Manager for the IMAP mission, overseeing the coordination, scheduling, and delivery of ten scientific instruments developed by teams around the world. The mission successfully launched in September 2025 and is advancing our understanding of how the Sun interacts with its surrounding environment.

During this session, Ms. Pope will discuss her professional journey, leadership experiences, and the critical role business travel plays in managing scientific teams, aligning stakeholders, and delivering complex projects on time and within budget. This conversation will offer a relatable and engaging perspective for non-scientists while highlighting the intersection of science, leadership, and travel.

Susan Pope

Southwest Research Institute, Executive Director Space Science Division / IMAP Payload Manager

Susan Pope has dedicated 28 years to advancing space science research as part of the Space Science Division at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). She began her professional career in 1997 after earning a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Balancing work and education, she completed her master’s in engineering management at UT in 2002.

Susan’s career has evolved from designing space instrumentation as a Mechanical Engineer to leading diverse teams as a Systems Engineer, Project Manager, and now Executive Director of the Space Science Division. She has contributed to numerous NASA and ESA missions, including IMAGE, Rosetta, Mars Express, New Horizons, JUNO, IBEX, CYGNSS, MMS, and IMAP, successfully guiding the development of innovative instruments and complex payloads. Guided by Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face, You must do the thing you think you cannot do” she thrives on tackling challenges at work and at home.

A passionate advocate for STEM, Susan inspires students of all ages and has engaged the public through NASA outreach initiatives like the Interstellar Boundary Explorer mission (IBEX) planetarium show and NASA EDGE broadcasts. She was inspired to pursue a career in Engineering due to her love of math and science at a young age. She loves to share her experiences with students of all ages focusing on how everyone can contribute to space science research regardless of your education level.

Outside of work, Susan lives in Helotes, Texas, with her husband, teenage son, and four dogs. An avid hiker, weightlifter, and obstacle course racer, she embraces adventure in every aspect of life.

Meet agenda as follows:

11:00 am - 11:30am     Arrival and Networking

11:30am -   Seated lunch service begins 

11: 45am - 12:00pm   Chapter Announcements and Speaker intro

12:00pm - 12:45pm    Speaker 

12:45pm - 1:00pm      Questions and Wrap-up

1:00pm - 1:30 pm  Property or Facility tours and Farewells