Elaine P. Ho

Elaine P. Ho is NASA’s Associate Administrator for STEM Engagement. She oversees NASA’s strategic direction to engage millions of America’s students, educators, and institutions in NASA’s missions that will prepare the next generation to enter the space workforce. Previously, she held the role of Associate Administrator for Equal Opportunity, Deputy Associate Administrator for STEM Engagement, and Senior Advisor for STEM Transformation. 

Experience

Ms. Ho’s career is marked by several White House appointments. She was selected for the inaugural class of the White House Leadership Development program, serving as a Senior Policy Advisor for former First Lady Michelle Obama’s global “Let Girls Learn” initiative. She also served in pivotal leadership roles including Chief of Staff of the United States Digital Service, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Senior Policy Advisor for the National Space Council in the Office of the Vice President.

Prior to her work at NASA, Ms. Ho was the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where she was instrumental in overseeing the operational performance and management of a global workforce of 85,000 employees. Her extensive experience in federal service also includes senior leadership positions at the Department of Agriculture, where she focused on organizational change, talent management, and employee engagement. 

In addition to her civil service, Ms. Ho is a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserves, Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, currently serving as a Senior Advisor to the Director of the JAG Corps Professional Development Directorate. She received her officer commission through the Air Force ROTC program and served on active duty as a criminal prosecutor and in various leadership roles, including Chief of Litigation and Chief of Civil Law.

Education

Ms. Ho earned her law degree from the University of Florida and her undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Duke University. She also holds a master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Force’s Air University, and executive certificates in Strategic Management from Georgetown University and The New Space Economy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.