Innovation Exchange: Austin - Space Workforce Development

​As the global space economy surpasses a $600 billion valuation in 2026, the primary bottleneck to growth is no longer technology—it is talent. This session explores the critical "signal capture" efforts currently underway to identify and mitigate friction points in the space workforce pipeline.

​From the federal mission of the Office of Space Commerce to create a unified national strategy, to the "boots-on-the-ground" regional incubation happening in Texas, this sessin examines how local agility and federal programs must align to build a sustainable, inclusive, and high-tech labor force.

​Exploration of Space Workforce Development needs and what is working at the city, state, federal and international levels in the lead up to the Office of Space Commerce Space Workforce Development Forum.

​Theresa Quitto-Dickerson, Commercial Space Policy and Industry Strategy Lead, US Dept. of Space Commerce

​Heather Wagner-Reed, Co-founder/Director, Space Workforce Incubator for Texas, (CEO, Juice Consulting)

​Dr. Leon Vanstone, VP/cofounder, Space Workforce Incubator for Texas

​Geoff Tudor, President/cofounder, Space Workforce Incubator for Texas