A global network supporting those who identify as women in space and satellite, and their allies.

SSPI-WISE is a group that welcomes all women members from the space & satellite industry. We meet once per month, usually on Zoom, to discuss goals, plan new events and, of course, have fun!  

Pull, Don’t Push with Julie Newman

At the January 2024 all-members meeting of SSPI-WISE, we welcomed 2023 Promise Awardee Julie Newman, to discuss her book, Pull, Don’t Push: Why STEM Messaging to Girls Isn’t Working and What to Do Instead.

Julie Newman is Program Chief Engineer for Satelit Nusantara Lima N5 (SNL), a major geostationary communications satellite program. In this role, she has been instrumental in overseeing risk management and problem resolution for the satellite, particularly in the midst of a challenging shift to a different payload. Julie regularly directs and approves the work of senior engineering staff and provides recommendations to the program management office and the customer. She has also represented her executive manager in various critical functions, ranging from safety to quality assurance across Boeing’s El Segundo site and has spearheaded multiple process improvement initiatives, including major efforts to improve Boeing’s engineering training and metrics tracking systems. Julie received a Promise Award from SSPI in 2023. Learn more about Julie.

Watch more past SSPI-WISE events on-demand

SSPI-WISE Blog

SSPI is fortunate to have the talented Elisabeth Tweedie pen a blog on our behalf. Check out the blog here!

Chairwoman: Debra Facktor, AIRBUS U.S. Space and Defense, Inc.

President: Jomya Lei, Rocket Lab

Vice President: Vinitha Lalvani, AvL Technologies,

Secretary: Alix Wright, Speedcast

Working Group Chairs:

• Elevating Women: Divya-Kala Bhavani, Dhruva Space, Negar Feher, Toni Lee Rudnicki, TLR Consulting LLC
• Mentoring Chair:  Wendy Newman, Strategic Voice, Silvia Borges, Hispasat, Andrea Maleter
• Social Media: Vinitha Lalvani, AvL Technologies, Rosario Toxqui, Comtech, Elisabeth Tweedie, Definitive Direction, Helen Weedon, Radical Moves
• STEM Outreach: Justyna Kosianka, Ursa Space Systems,  Audrey Puderbaugh, Iridium, Heidi Ann White, Université de Montréal
• Sustainment & Infrastructure: Jennifer Hoil, ST Engineering iDirect, Melissa Orlick, Intellian Technologies, Manal Tadros, Boeing