Founders

NASA veterans with over 50 years of human spaceflight leadership. Meet the team behind the Space Leadership Institute.

Dr. Jim Peters

Dr. Jim Peters

Former NASA Chief Engineer and Program Risk Manager

Former NASA Chief Engineer and Program Risk Manager. Dr. Jim Peters played key leadership roles in NASA's most demanding programs, including Shuttle Return-to-Flight after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

He is the author of Return to Flight and an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he has taught more than 180 graduate courses. His expertise spans risk management, mission operations, and engineering leadership in government, aerospace, and commercial environments.

Education and career highlights include deep experience in astronaut training and mission operations, risk leadership for the Commercial Crew Program, and development of next-generation commercial space stations under the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program.

Dr. Lou Carfagno

Dr. Lou Carfagno

NASA engineer, aviation safety expert, leadership professor

NASA engineer, aviation safety expert, and leadership professor. Dr. Lou Carfagno is the recipient of the NASA Silver Snoopy Award for outstanding contributions to human spaceflight safety.

His background combines hands-on engineering, safety systems, and leadership development. He has applied mission-critical thinking across aviation, space, and organizational contexts—helping teams and leaders perform when failure is not an option.

His work in leadership education and operational excellence extends to universities, corporations, and government, with a focus on risk-informed decision making and high-reliability team performance.

Strategic Partnerships

The Space Leadership Institute works with select partners to extend reach and impact. Our strategic partnerships include:

odonnellaerospace.com

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