Sara Schwartzman

Sara Schwartzman is Chief of the Policy Branch in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD). She leads the team conducting policy analysis and strategic planning for the agency’s science leadership and maintains SMD’s working relationships with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Science and Technology Policy staff.

Ms. Schwartzman is a recognized leader in public policy and government operations. At NASA since 2022, she has served as Deputy Chief of the Policy Branch, Policy Analyst, and Program Support Specialist. Her experience includes managing SMD’s Executive Office of the President and congressional communications, legislative review, and emerging international partners and strategy. 

Prior to joining NASA, Ms. Schwartzman directed a fast-paced, nonpartisan congressional office as the United States Senate Bill Clerk. She served in the U.S. Capitol for more than 13 years, where she conducted roll call votes and advised U.S. Senators and staff on the Senate floor. Her policy experience spans a wide range of domestic and international issues.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Political Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from The George Washington University. In 2025, Ms. Schwartzman will earn a Master of Business Administration from Boston University. She is a Delegate to the Australian American Leadership Dialogue’s Young Leadership Dialogue and a Senior Executive Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government. As an undergraduate, she completed internships at the U.S. Senate, the Embassy of Australia, and the U.S. Departments of Defense, Treasury, Labor, State, and Justice.