Charity Weeden Takes Lead of NASA Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy

Charity Weeden has assumed the role of associate administrator of NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, which advises leadership on strategic planning and investments.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson swore Weeden in at the agency’s Washington headquarters on Monday. In a press release, he noted that Weeden is expected to continue OTPS’ delivery of strategic guidance to the various centers and directorates, NASA said Monday.

Weeden succeeds Ellen Gersten, who filled the associate administrator role on an acting basis after Bhavya Lal left NASA in July.

Previously, Weeden oversaw spaceflight safety and long-term space sustainability as vice president for global space policy and government relations at Astroscale Holdings’ U.S. subsidiary. According to her LinkedIn profile, she was a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and president of Lquinox Consulting.

She previously served as senior director of policy at the Satellite Industry Association.

Earlier, Weeden served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 23 years.

Her educational background includes a master’s degree in space science from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada.