Dr. Wanda Peters

Dr. Wanda Peters has extensive professional experience working for the federal government and private industry. She has over 35 years of scientific, engineering, and programmatic experience, including approximately 25 years in leadership roles. Throughout her professional career, she has had the privilege of serving in numerous positions that utilized her leadership skills to lead high-performing teams and direct strategic initiatives. Dr. Peters is a member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States of America.

Presently, Dr. Peters serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters. She is responsible for overseeing and assessing SMD’s multi-billion dollar portfolio of over 100 missions. Previously, she served as the Deputy Director for Planning and Business Management in the Flight Projects Directorate (FPD) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, responsible for strategic planning, policy development, personnel management, and programmatic oversight of the FPD portfolio consisting of approximately 80 missions.

Prior to joining the NASA family, Dr. Peters worked at the Naval Research Laboratory as a research scientist. She started her career at NASA in January 1990 as a support contractor and converted into the government in 2005. At NASA, Dr. Peters has worked at the directorate, division, and branch levels, gaining valuable experience in the areas of program, project and business management, institutional operations, mechanical systems engineering, space technology development, and safety and mission assurance. Dr. Peters is a mentor and advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. She is a graduate and Senior Executive Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Peters received both a Ph.D. in systems engineering and a Master’s degree in engineering management from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. She is married and has two daughters.