Kathryn Sullivan's impressive expertise spans the frontiers of space and sea. An accomplished oceanographer, she now serves as the Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations where she works to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. Prior to her work with oceans, Sullivan was one of the first six women selected to join the NASA astronaut corps in 1978 and holds the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space. She flew on three shuttle missions during her 15-year tenure, including the mission that deployed the Hubble Space Telescope.

Sullivan is the United States Co-chair of the Group on Earth Observations, an intergovernmental body that is building a Global Earth Observation System of Systems to provide environmental intelligence relevant to societal needs. Sullivan has also served on the National Science Board and as an oceanographer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.