Gregory Robinson is a 33-year veteran of NASA, and the former director of the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope. Robinson is credited with revitalising an over-budget program that faced numerous setbacks, significantly boosting its efficiency from 55% to 95%. His innovative leadership style and commitment to challenging the status quo have earned him accolades for radically improving communication with various stakeholders, including members of Congress, aerospace contractors, and international space agencies.
Robinson’s ability to foster collaboration and transparency has greatly motivated teams while easing political tensions. His calm and effective communication has been pivotal in overseeing nearly 20,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff across 29 countries and 14 US states.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Robinson has been named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022 and EBONY’s 2022 Power 100 lists, and he is a recipient of the TIME100 Impact Award. He also received the 2022 Federal Employee of the Year title and the prestigious Distinguished Presidential Rank Award, one of the highest honors for senior executives in the US government.
Prior to his role at Webb, Robinson led 114 missions for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Columbia Shuttle accident, overseeing the subsequent shuttle launches. Robinson’s extensive experience at NASA includes positions such as Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, responsible for numerous science missions, and Deputy Center Director at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. He has also held key leadership roles at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In addition to his degrees from Howard University and Virginia Union University, Gregory Robinson holds an MBA from Averett University and is a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard. He has also lectured at George Washington University in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering and Columbia University where he lectures on information and knowledge strategy, as well as leading large, complex projects.
