Recently, the IGL had the opportunity to speak with two IGL alum, Katherine Monson and Lauren Milord, about their careers in the space industry. Monson is the CEO of KSAT Inc. for Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a service that provides ground station services for satellites, rocket launchers, and experimental spacecraft. Milord is Director of Programs at DreamUp, a program that focuses on expanding access to space-based educational opportunities, including microgravity experiments, and the DreamKit and DreamCoder product lines. The two met during a Tufts EPIIC class, and although they have taken separate paths since graduating, they both serve as excellent examples of women succeeding in the space industry, and promoting diversity within the field.
Both Milord and Monson work in positions that lie at the intersection between international relations and STEM, two industries that are notably predominantly white and male-dominated. When asked to discuss their experiences as women in a male-dominated industry, both women not only explained their own experiences, but also expressed the importance of increasing diversity as a whole, across not only gender, but also sexuality, race, and socioeconomic status.
“What I would say we absolutely have, and there are good people working on ways to help change this issue, is there is a demographic diversity issue in the fact that most of the space industry is white. So there are not very many people of color represented in the space industry period. And there especially not very many people of color represented in space leadership,” Monson said about the subject.
Mildord noted the same problem, saying that, “But after Black Lives Matter protests and things that happened over the summer, the space industry realized there was sort of a need for something like that for black students to provide pathways for them into the commercial space industry as well.”
Both women also discussed the importance of not only fellowship and mentorships in increasing diversity in the field, but also how influential good role models are in encouraging youth to join the field. Monsoon shared her experience in having these types of role models both at Tufts and during a fellowship at the Pentagon. Milord discussed how television shows such as “Emily’s Wonder Lab” on Netflix can encourage children to get involved in STEM. As a professional in the field of space education, Milord has special insight into what it takes to get young children interested in STEM and related fields.
“The things that I think are most critical is providing hands-on, project-based opportunities at the right times for students to get them interested and excited about STEM. All the research shows that the perfect age to do this is middle school age, you know, 12-14 years old. This is where students really start to self-identify, this is where we lose girls, this is where we lose students of color, this is where we lose a lot of students who don’t have role models, who don’t really understand how they could pursue a STEM course or career,” said Monson.
The IGL places a large value on diversity, and is excited to see that our alum not only continue to do the same, but also excel in their fields. As Monson said during her interview, “....the things that we’re trying to do are hard and if you don’t have the best of everyone you’re not going to be successful.”
Katherine Monson is the CEO of KSAT Inc. for Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT). KSAT is a world-leading provider of ground station services for satellites, rocket launchers, and experimental spacecraft – supporting over 96% of commercial satellites launched into NGSO during the last two years. With over 50 years of experience, KSAT’s network today spans over 180 antennas at 20 ground station locations across the globe (including Pole to Pole coverage from Antarctica to the Arctic), and is constantly expanding. KSAT is proud to be the behind-the-scenes bridge back to earth, supporting the vast majority of space companies, agencies, and start-ups. Katherine began her career in aerospace as an early member of Spire Global. During her tenure at Spire, Katherine led the Ground Station department, building out a global network of infrastructure to download data from the constellation of over forty spacecraft. Katherine is an avid hiker and enjoys learning new languages and exploring new places. She lives in Boulder County, Colorado.
Lauren Milord is Director of Programs at DreamUp, where she believes that a learner’s early educational experiences can make or break their pathway to a STEM Career. Lauren works with a range of international space agencies and focuses on expanding access to space-based educational opportunities, including microgravity experiments, and the DreamKit and DreamCoder product lines. Prior to joining DreamUp, Lauren was Community Engagement Specialist in the Office of Engagement at Boston Public Schools where she engaged all sectors of the BPS community in conversations about district policy changes and ensured that community-based and faith-based organizations partnered successfully with BPS schools. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in International Security at Tufts University. When she’s not inspiring dreamers, you can find Lauren Irish dancing wherever a good wooden floor can be found.Lauren Milord is Director of Programs at DreamUp, where she believes that a learner’s early educational experiences can make or break their pathway to a STEM Career. Lauren works with a range of international space agencies and focuses on expanding access to space-based educational opportunities, including microgravity experiments, and the DreamKit and DreamCoder product lines. Prior to joining DreamUp, Lauren was Community Engagement Specialist in the Office of Engagement at Boston Public Schools where she engaged all sectors of the BPS community in conversations about district policy changes and ensured that community-based and faith-based organizations partnered successfully with BPS schools. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in International Security at Tufts University. When she’s not inspiring dreamers, you can find Lauren Irish dancing wherever a good wooden floor can be found.