The National GEM Consortium Announces the Appointment of Steve Isakowitz as Chairman of the Board

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - July 22, 2024 - PRLog -- The National GEM Consortium (GEM), one of the premier organizations for the best and brightest underrepresented minority STEM talent in the country, today announced the appointment of Steve Isakowitz as Chairman of its Board of Directors.  Mr. Isakowitz succeeds Dr. Johney Green Jr., PhD, who served as Chairman since 2022.

"Advancing cutting-edge technologies and delivering innovation that moves our nation forward requires a strong, vibrant workforce.  Through its fellowship program and robust network of mentors and alumni, The National GEM Consortium provides critical opportunities to promising STEM talent from underrepresented groups," Isakowitz said. "I feel strongly that innovation and diversity are closely intertwined, and that we do our best work when bring people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives together.  I am honored to join The National GEM Consortium and am eager to help carry out its mission as we shape the next generation of technical leaders."

Brennon Marcano, CEO of The National GEM Consortium, echoed those comments as well.  "Leadership transitions can be tricky.  GEM has been fortunate to have had Dr. Green at the helm for the past two years and we believe that we are equally fortunate to have Steve Isakowitz take over not only because of the wealth of experience that he brings to the table but also because of his proven commitment to scientific impact and the role that diversity can play it advancing innovation.  We are excited to continue to grow with Steve."

Steve Isakowitz currently serves as the President and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect for the nation's space programs, where he heads up efforts to outpace threats to the country's national security while nurturing the innovative technologies needed to further a new era of space commercialization and exploration. With his guidance, Aerospace's national workforce of more than 4,600 employees provides objective technical expertise and thought leadership to solve the hardest problems in space and assure mission success for space systems and space vehicles.  He is also a driving force behind Space Workforce 2030, a collaborative effort launched in 2022 bringing together nearly 30 companies to advance diversity and representation across the space industry.

Over the course of his more than 30-year career, Isakowitz has made impactful contributions across a number of prominent roles, including at Virgin Galactic, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Isakowitz earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

About GEM
The National GEM Consortium (http://www.gemfellowship.org) is a 44-year-old national non-profit whose vision is scientific impact.  The organization supports that vision through its mission which is to enhance the value of the nation's human capital by increasing the participation of underrepresented groups (African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanic Americans) at the master's and doctoral levels in engineering and science.  We identify technical leaders for advanced careers in industry, academic and government agencies by preparing and selecting highly qualified GEM Fellows to complete a program of graduate study and internships through our University and Corporate Members, Alumni, and other strategic partners.  GEM develops funding to award Fellowships, create collaborative research opportunities and builds networks to support Fellows in achieving academic and professional success.