Katherine Reilly

As the Strategic Partnerships Manager for NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, Katherine (Kathy) Reilly leads comprehensive partnerships, communications, outreach and education efforts to highlight the critical value of space technology investments to NASA’s exploration missions. In this role, she bridges the gap between complex space technology development to major stakeholders and the public, making the importance of cutting-edge science development easily understood and inspiring. Through strategic partnerships, multimedia, and innovative outreach, her work communicates the importance of NASA’s visionary missions and research, strengthening support for American leadership in space exploration.

Kathy has been instrumental in implementing strategic communications, fostering collaboration across mission directorates, and aligning with external partners. She created NIAC’s Inventive Genius Lecture Series: “From Science Fiction to Science Fact,” bringing NASA’s pioneering scientists to science and technology museums and universities nationwide. She also led a partnership with World Book, Inc., creating the “Out of This World” book series—a 24-book collection introducing students to early-stage space technologies and the innovators behind them, tackling NASA’s biggest challenges. The series earned a National Library Association award for its impact on science education, inspiring the next generation of American scientists, engineers, and explorers, and encouraging students to ‘change the possible’.

She develops and manages the NIAC Symposium, an annual public event that showcases groundbreaking aerospace concepts, fostering collaboration among American innovators. Additionally, her creative storytelling and video productions have earned two Telly Awards and a Davey Award, demonstrating her ability to inspire and engage audiences through impactful multimedia content.

Throughout her career, Kathy has championed initiatives that highlight the critical role of U.S. innovation in space exploration and promote STEM education. Her talent for translating complex science into simple, but compelling narratives enhances understanding to all stakeholders and fosters a deeper appreciation for how space technology strengthens America’s technological edge and ultimately benefits life on Earth.

In recognition of her contributions, she has also been recognized with NASA’s Excellence in Innovation Award, the Space Technology Mission Directorate Partnership Award, and NASA’s Crowdsourcing Contenders Award for Visions of the Future- Imagine Tomorrow.

Her background includes work at Yale University in technical research software management in molecular biology and physiology, and as a science advisor to major science and technology museums across the U.S. including Mission to Mars: An Urban/Rural Collaboration to Inspire NASA’s Next Generation. In her free time, she’s an author and an award-winning medical and scientific illustrator.

Email: hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov