Speakers

Dr. Christyl C. Johnson is Co-Founder and General Partner of Andromeda Ventures. She recently retired from NASA as a distinguished senior executive and systems engineer with 35 years of experience leading large-scale technology portfolios, mission-critical innovation, and complex organizational transformation at the highest levels of government. At Andromeda Ventures, Dr. Johnson applies this systems-level judgment to evaluating frontier technologies, governance risk, and long-cycle innovation as they transition from public-sector missions into venture-backed companies.

Most recently, Dr. Johnson served as Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this role, she provided executive leadership, strategic vision, and operational oversight for the Agency’s space technology enterprise—directing the planning, coordination, and execution of a broad portfolio of programs spanning early-stage research through flight-ready systems. Her responsibilities included full budget formulation and execution, cross-agency coordination, and representation of NASA’s technology strategy to senior officials within the Agency and across Capitol Hill.

Previously, Dr. Johnson supported the Office of the NASA Administrator as Executive Architect, where she spearheaded a transformative agency-wide technology initiative focused on digital modernization in preparation for our journey to the Moon and Mars. Her work was critical for integrating artificial intelligence, strengthening cybersecurity posture, and modernizing enterprise data management systems to improve decision-making, resilience, and operational efficiency. She also led the Agency Front Door initiative, creating a streamlined platform to expand and accelerate NASA’s public-private partnerships and external engagement.

Earlier, as Deputy Director for Technology and Research Investments at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Johnson oversaw a $5 billion annual budget, a workforce of approximately 10,000, and a diverse portfolio of more than 130 advanced technology initiatives spanning Earth science, space science, and applied research.

Dr. Johnson has also served at the intersection of science, technology, and national policy. As Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Council at the White House, she helped shape federal R&D priorities across the executive branch, including basic science, energy, environment, natural resources, and national and homeland security. In prior roles at NASA Headquarters, including Assistant Associate Administrator and Deputy Chief Engineer, she oversaw agency-wide programmatic operations and shaped the restructuring of NASA’s engineering organization following the Columbia accident. Earlier in her career, she served as a strategic architect for NASA Earth Science missions and built enduring international partnerships.

Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Lincoln University. Her honors include the Presidential Rank Award, induction into GWU’s Engineering Hall of Fame, and a nomination for the Presidential National Medal for Technology and Innovation.