Barbara Zelon

Strategic communications executive with more than 30 years of experience leading enterprise communications, branding, stakeholder engagement, and organizational transformation initiatives for NASA, aerospace, and nonprofit organizations. Recognized for building high-performing teams, advising senior executives, developing globally recognized brands, and executing communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, strengthen stakeholder trust, and inspire public engagement. Led communications for NASA's Artemis campaign and Orion spacecraft program, directed agency-level communications during periods of significant organizational change, and established innovative partnerships that expanded mission awareness and STEM engagement worldwide.

Trusted advisor to executive leadership on strategic communications, change management, executive messaging, workforce engagement, reputation management, and public affairs.

Executive Consultant - The Aerospace Corporation

(2024-11)

• Advise executive leaders and mission organizations on strategic communications, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise messaging.
• Lead communications assessments and develop strategies that strengthen organizational alignment, workforce engagement, and leadership communications.
• Guide executive messaging, change management initiatives, and communications planning for complex mission-focused organizations.

Special Projects Manager - NASA Headquarters

(2023-11 - 2024-05)

• Directed high-priority strategic initiatives through final Agency budget, legal, and executive approval processes.
• Guided organizational realignments and restructuring efforts across NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate.
• Led leadership transition activities and transformation initiatives that enhanced organizational effectiveness and alignment.

Director of Communications - Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

(2021-09 - 2023-10)

Served as chief communications advisor to executive leadership for NASA's largest exploration mission directorate, overseeing strategic communications, executive engagement, stakeholder relations, partnership development and digital communications.

• Directed integrated communications strategies for Artemis I and NASA's return to the Moon, aligning messaging across government leaders, industry partners, international stakeholders, media, workforce, and public audiences.
• Spearheaded development of the NASA Artemis Brand Playbook, creating a unified communications and storytelling framework adopted throughout NASA and partner organizations.
• Led multidisciplinary teams responsible for executive communications, media relations, workforce engagement, digital communications, social media, and stakeholder outreach.

Artemis Program Communications and Partnerships Manager - NASA Headquarters

(2020-05 - 2021-09)

• Established and led NASA's newly created integrated Artemis communications organization, unifying executive communications, media relations, workforce engagement, digital content, and stakeholder engagement.
• Directed development and stewardship of the Artemis brand architecture, messaging strategy, storytelling framework, and visual identity system.
• Forged strategic international partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and government stakeholders that expanded public awareness and engagement.

Orion Program Strategic Communications Manager - NASA Johnson Space Center

(2007-02 - 2018-06)

Directed executive communications, strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, and outreach initiatives for NASA's Orion spacecraft program throughout development, testing, and major mission milestones.

• Advised senior program leadership on communications strategy, stakeholder relations, workforce engagement, and reputation management.
• Created national partnerships with organizations including Sesame Street and McDonald's, connecting millions of students and families with NASA's exploration mission and STEM opportunities.

MBA Certificate - Strategic Communication, Leadership and Globalization - Seton Hall University

Bachelor of Arts - Communications/Advertising - ArtCenter College of Design

Additional MBA Coursework - Wilmington College and Pepperdine University