Tara Ruttley
From NASA to Blue Origin, Tara Ruttley shows leaders how to embrace change through neuroscience and space-inspired strategies.
Why book Tara Ruttley for your next event
- Tara Ruttley has shaped science strategy at the highest levels of space exploration, first at NASA for the International Space Station and now as Chief Scientist at Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef. With two decades of leadership in human spaceflight, she brings organizations cutting-edge insights on innovation, systems thinking, and navigating complexity at scale.
- As a former NASA engineer who designed critical human research tools for astronauts aboard the ISS, Tara Ruttley is an expert in high-stakes innovation. She translates that experience into practical strategies for companies looking to build agile, problem-solving teams that perform under pressure.
- With advanced degrees in neuroscience, mechanical engineering, and anthropology, Tara Ruttley uniquely connects brain science, technology, and human behavior. Her keynote equips audiences with actionable mindset tools to embrace novelty, lead change, and foster cross-functional creativity across departments.
Non-binding request for Tara Ruttley
Rewire Your Brain for Change and Innovation
Book keynote speaker Tara Ruttley to empower your organization with the proven tools of space science and neuroscience. Drawing on two decades at NASA and her role as Chief Scientist at Blue Origin, she delivers captivating keynotes that help leaders and teams rewire their thinking, embrace novelty, and perform under pressure.
Keynote Speaker Tara Ruttley, PhD, is internationally recognized for transforming complex science into powerful leadership and innovation strategies that inspire organizational growth. With over 20 years of experience at NASA and now serving as Chief Scientist at Blue Origin, she is uniquely positioned to help organizations navigate change, embrace innovation, and lead with resilience in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Ruttley brings together her deep expertise in neuroscience, human space exploration, and engineering to deliver compelling keynotes that engage, inform, and empower. She is known for making brain science both fun and actionable, giving audiences the tools to rewire their thinking, increase cognitive agility, and thrive in times of uncertainty.
Her sessions are packed with real-life insights from her work on the International Space Station, NASA leadership, and pioneering science for the future of commercial spaceflight. Whether you're looking to boost innovation, build resilient teams, or future-proof your leadership strategy, Tara offers proven techniques rooted in space-tested science and cutting-edge research.
Organizations that book Tara Ruttley for their event walk away with lasting impact, equipped with mindset tools, leadership insights, and the confidence to tackle any challenge. If you want a keynote speaker who will inspire bold thinking and deliver value beyond the stage, book Tara Ruttley for your event and elevate your next conference or leadership summit to new heights.
Keynotes
Keynote by Tara Ruttley:
Leadership Principles from Spaceflight
Tara gets asked pretty often: how do NASA leaders do the hard things? There are five specific characteristics of NASA leaders that create the culture of safety, integrity, excellence, teamwork, and inclusion in the space family. Tara shares these characteristics along with stories and examples from her 20+ years working in the International Space Station program, where resource management and collaboration are fundamental to this successful international endeavor.
Keynote by Tara Ruttley:
Student Motivation Keynote Speaker
Tara grew up in southern Louisiana and was the first in her family to graduate college. As an undergraduate, she stumbled upon the McNair Scholar program, who took her in and taught her how to compete for entry to graduate school. Now she enjoys speaking to university students and young women and girls in STEAM who are looking for someone who can motivate them to push through the adversity, obtain that degree and land that dream career. Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year is going to come no matter what! What will that look like for you?
Keynote by Tara Ruttley:
Adaptability in Complex Environments:
Tara shares a bit of fun brain science and lessons from her NASA experiences to inspire leaders to be highly adaptable in the most complex environments. For the sake of survival, humans are designed to prefer predictable, stable conditions, but this isn’t how things work in life and in business. The good news is that our brains are designed to get better at adjusting to novel situations! Tara shares stories, science, and examples of how to rewire your brain daily in the context of creating highly adaptive leaders.
Get To Know Tara Ruttley
Watch Tara Ruttley in action!
