NASA Selects Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Program Team Members for Group Achievement Award (GAA)

NASA has recognized LMI’s Dr. Kim Barnette, Ruth Starr, Lakiesha Cooper, Ilana White, Tracy Urman, Tiffany Kelly, and Dr. Jade Singleton—all members of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Program team—with the Group Achievement Award (GAA).

This prestigious certificate is awarded to any grouping of non-government or government individuals that makes outstanding contributions to NASA’s mission. In addition to LMI’s program team members, the GAA recognized 83 other members of the SMD IDEA Working Group (WG), including SMD scientists, engineers, and support personnel. SMD’s IDEA WG was nominated in August 2022 for providing an outstanding, positive impact to the NASA mission by working to ensure the inclusion of the best and brightest minds from all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. As the founding architects behind this innovative program, LMI’s work has been impactful across SMD and the broader science community. The SMD IDEA WG was recognized for developing results-driven initiatives that delivered a positive impact on agency programs, facilitating team growth to increase capacity for future contributions, and developing innovative approaches and ways to use lessons learned when implementing IDEA strategies. 

This forward-leaning program has been noticed by other NASA Mission Directorates and Centers as the LMI team continues to evolve with Dr. Christopher Riddick, Brandy McCleary and CJ Tran providing additional expertise and support. This team of trusted innovators will continue to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and bring impactful mission success to the NASA enterprise.

This team of trusted innovators will continue to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and bring impactful mission success to the NASA enterprise.