Sharon L. Thomas is the respected risk manager of the Johnson Space Center, Leadership Risk Management at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she has been a key figure since 2009. Over the years, Ms. Thomas has cultivated a distinguished career in her field, particularly at the strategic level, guiding projects critical to ongoing missions at NASA. Her career has seen her rise to chair the Agency Risk Management Working Group, integrating and applying risk management principles across various projects and missions.
Ms. Thomas’ impressive academic background has been the foundation of her risk management and leadership career. She earned a Master of Business Administration in engineering management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she developed the managerial and technical skills essential for her future leadership roles. Beforehand, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics with a focus on pre-law from the University of Maryland. While initially intending to pursue a career in law, Ms. Thomas discovered a greater passion for technical fields, ultimately leading her to NASA and her work in risk management.
Throughout her career, Ms. Thomas has consistently focused on risk management’s broader, strategic applications rather than the technical specifics of probability analysis. Her expertise lies in guiding teams through risk-informed decision-making, a skill she has honed over decades in project management and leadership. She works closely with NASA’s mission support teams, ensuring that critical resources, such as information technology, facilities, and personnel, are effectively managed and available for NASA’s complex space missions. In her role as risk manager, Ms. Thomas is also responsible for considering internal and external stakeholders when making decisions and implementing risk mitigations. She finds great satisfaction in mentoring others within the organization, guiding them to understand and apply risk management principles.
Ms. Thomas attributes her success to dedication, hard work, and the collaborative environment at NASA. Her career has been marked by numerous achievements, including NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal and the Space Flight Awareness Award, two prestigious honors that recognize her significant contributions to the agency. However, Ms. Thomas is particularly proud of her role in developing NASA’s institutional risk management approach, which has become a model for other centers within the agency. She also takes great pride in being part of the International Space Station transition team, contributing to the long-term sustainability and success of the station.
Although Ms. Thomas initially considered pursuing law school, her career took a different trajectory. After transitioning from technical editing to technical writing, her work quickly evolved into more senior roles, including publications engineer. Her talent and expertise caught NASA’s attention, leading to her eventual recruitment. At NASA, she became involved with the International Space Station, and her risk management skills and leadership became instrumental in guiding various missions and projects.
Ms. Thomas’ work extends beyond NASA’s technical missions. She also contributes to the agency’s broader organizational objectives, particularly in areas related to institutional mission support. Her responsibilities include balancing resources and addressing budgetary challenges, ensuring that NASA’s critical infrastructure and resources are managed efficiently. While Ms. Thomas enjoys problem-solving, her greatest fulfillment comes from mentoring others and helping them navigate complex risk management scenarios. She finds joy in seeing others succeed and believes her role is as much about guiding the next generation of professionals as managing risk.
As she reflects on her career, Ms. Thomas believes that resilience and persistence have been key to her success. She has faced numerous challenges, particularly as a woman in a mostly male field, but she has always remained steadfast in her convictions. She recalls moments when colleagues challenged her decisions, yet she consistently stood her ground, adapting her approach as necessary while focusing on achieving the right outcomes. Her ability to balance assertiveness with diplomacy has earned her the respect of her colleagues and allowed her to thrive in her role.
Ms. Thomas’s leadership has been shaped by the guidance of several notable figures, even though she did not always have formal mentors. Early in her career, she learned valuable lessons from individuals like John Aaron, known for his role in resolving the Apollo 13 power issue, and Terry Wilkott, a former chief of safety mission assurance and military pilot. More recently, she has received substantial support from NASA leadership, including Vanessa Wyche, the first Black female director of the Johnson Space Center. Although she had to navigate many challenges independently as a minority female in a technical field, these figures gave her the insight and encouragement necessary to advance her career.
Ms. Thomas has considered teaching and is preparing for a phased retirement in the coming years. Recently turning 70, she has decided not to retire fully but to remain connected to her work while transitioning into a less demanding role. Her primary focus is on maintaining her health and that of her colleagues to ensure they can continue their important work. Ms. Thomas has informed NASA of her intention to retire by the end of March 2025, but she remains open to new ventures and opportunities.
Ms. Thomas’s journey is deeply influenced by her family, particularly her father, who worked as a naval architect and project manager for the Department of the Navy. His contributions, including his work on the Battleship New Jersey during the Vietnam War and his expertise in modernizing destroyer ships, left a lasting impression on Ms. Thomas. His achievements, which earned him recognition internationally, especially in Germany and Australia, served as a source of inspiration for her own risk management and leadership career.
As Ms. Thomas reflects on her career, she recalls her early ambitions as a career-focused feminist with dreams of global travel and professional success. While she has achieved these goals and enjoyed many adventures, she now questions whether she may have been too single-minded. After facing two life-threatening illnesses, she has come to recognize the importance of balancing professional aspirations with personal fulfillment and relationships. Her experiences have led her to counsel others to consider their long-term futures and the role of work-life balance in achieving lasting happiness and success.
Ms. Thomas encourages young professionals to adapt their skills and expertise to the evolving demands of their fields. She advises them to recognize that unique challenges and opportunities will shape their experiences and to focus on cultivating the knowledge and skills necessary for success in today’s environment. Her story serves as a reminder that resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to mentor others are key components of a successful and fulfilling career.
As Ms. Thomas prepares for the next phase of her life and career, her legacy at NASA will remain one of leadership, mentorship, and strategic foresight. Her contributions to risk management and dedication to guiding the next generation of professionals will continue to impact the agency long after her retirement.