Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro: New Leadership Appointments

Update: NASA Names Stephen Koerner as Acting Director of Johnson Space Center It is with great pride and anticipation that I announce the appointment of several exceptional leaders to key positions at NASA.

Effective immediately, I have asked Vanessa Wyche to step into the role of NASA’s acting associate administrator. She brings a wealth of experience, deep understanding, and commitment to the agency’s mission, as she takes on this detail, having served as the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Vanessa will provide crucial leadership across the agency, advising and guiding our team of about 18,000 employees, our center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. With a rapidly changing and dynamic landscape, Vanessa’s leadership will help guide our agency through the challenges and opportunities ahead.

I am also pleased to announce Jackie Jester has been named associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Jackie returns to NASA after most recently serving as senior director for Government Affairs at Relativity Space. Prior to that, Jackie worked as a policy advisor at NASA, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and as a professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Her background in space policy, aviation safety, and legislative affairs makes her uniquely qualified to manage our relationship with Congress and ensure our policies align with national priorities.

We also recognize the significant contributions of Catherine Koerner, who announced she will retire on Friday, Feb. 28, after 34 years of dedicated service to NASA. Cathy has played a pivotal role in leading our deep space exploration efforts, serving as associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Her leadership has helped shape the Artemis strategy, and her impact will be felt for years to come. We thank Cathy for her service and wish her the very best in her next chapter.

With Cathy’s retirement, Lori Glaze will serve as acting associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Lori is currently serving as the mission directorate’s deputy associate administrator and previously as director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division. Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue advancing human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

Please join me in congratulating Vanessa, Jackie, and Lori as they step into their new roles at this pivotal time in our agency.

Embrace the Challenge,

Janet