Ms. Dale led off the discussion by telling the story of her career, from her tenure as staff director for the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics to her leadership roles at OSTP and NASA. Ms. Dale was then asked to provide insight into the varying mechanisms of action and workplace cultures that each of these environments contained.

Serving as second-in-command, she was responsible to the NASA Administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction. Ms. Dale, along with the Administrator, led NASA as it undertook the enormous transition from retiring the Space Shuttle to developing the United States’ next human space flight capability. She represented NASA to the White House, U.S. Congress, other U.S. government offices, foreign governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the public.

During the discussion and question/answer period, she delved into the specific roles that she played at these offices and in the private sector and how they enhanced her career.