Panelist

Laurie Labra leads a diverse team of more than 2,500 employees, generating
over $445 million in revenue and providing world-class research, engineering
and technology development, information systems, human health and
performance, operations and missions solutions. The Human Exploration
Division (HED) portfolio includes the Integrated Mission Operations Contract
(IMOCII), Mission Systems Operations Contract (MSOC), Extravehicular
Activity Space Operations Contract (ESOC), Exploration Extravehicular
Activity as a Service (xEVAS) and Human Health Performance Contract
(HHPC) at Johnson Space Center, which are valued at more than $3.8 billion.
HED is critical to NASA’s human spaceflight operations including mission
planning, training and execution of all human spaceflight missions. HED
is key to implementing NASA’s commercial spaceflight vision and actively
supports private astronaut training and other commercial concepts.

Prior to her current role, Labra served as a program manager for both the
IMOCII and MSOC at JSC. As the program manager for the IMOCII, Labra
was responsible for a $1.3 billion contract and a workforce of more than 700
personnel. She led the scheduling, cost and technical performance of this
highly visible contract, which provides 24/7/365 support to the International
Space Station (ISS). Under her leadership, the IMOCII contract established
efficient business methodologies, resulting in strong technical performance
and excellent award fee scores. On MSOC, Labra was respnsible for a $1.13
billion contract and a workforce of more than 500 personnel. This program
provides full life cycle support to the JSC Flight Operations Directorate Mission
Systems, including the Mission Control Center, the Space Vehicle Mockup
Facility and the training systems used for all human exploration activities,
including the ISS and Exploration Programs.

Labra began her career in 1988 as an astronaut instructor for the Space
Shuttle Program at JSC. Over her career, she has held multiple leadership
roles with increasing levels of responsibility. She has led numerous contract
transitions for large programs at JSC and other NASA centers. She also led the
organization through the space shuttle transition and retirement.

A native of the Houston area, Labra holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering from the University of Houston. Her accolades include the highly
selective NASA Silvery Snoopy Award, the NASA Star Award, and the SGT
President’s Award. She enjoys participating in STEM outreach activities. She
currently serves on the Limitless Space Institute Board of Advisors and the Bay
Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) Board of Directors.