Lakiesha Hawkins

Lakiesha Hawkins is the manager of the Human Exploration Development & Operations Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Appointed to the position in July 2026, Hawkins leads Marshall’s work to continue critical support to the International Space Station and NASA’s Artemis program and establish support for the agency’s Moon Base – including payload operations, environmental control and life support systems, habitats, and infrastructure.

Previously, Hawkins served as the acting deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C., sharing responsibility for leadership and management of human spaceflight development and operations for Artemis missions.

Hawkins began her career in the commercial space sector as a systems and test engineer developing turbomachinery for the space shuttle main engines. She joined Marshall in 2010 as a lead systems engineer and technical expert in liquid engine component and systems development, providing technical direction for propulsion dynamic loads and data analysis as the team lead.

In 2016, she accepted a detail in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, where she developed strategic plans for in-space transportation and provided critical support to the agency’s Mars Study and Future Capabilities teams.

Hawkins returned to Marshall in 2017 as chief of the Avionics Systems Integration Branch for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Then, from 2018 to 2019, she served as deputy manager of the Habitation Systems Development Office, providing program and project leadership for the Gateway Habitation Element.

In 2019, Hawkins served as manager of the Human Landing System (HLS) Program Office’s Program Planning and Control Office before being appointed to deputy manager of the HLS Program Office, where she led the acquisition and development of landers that will carry both humans and cargo to the Moon.

She served as deputy of ESDMD’s Moon to Mars Program Office in beginning in 2023, building the team, providing strategic insight, and driving collaboration among NASA’s commercial partners toward a successful human mission around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Hawkins holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of South Florida. She was awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Exceptional Achievement Medal, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumni by the FAMU-Florida State University College of Engineering.