Natalie Panek

Oftentimes the best way to learn is simply by doing, accompanied by an openness to possibilities. How do you structure your life to build in learning opportunities, and hold yourself accountable for growing? As an Aerospace Engineer, Natalie has worked on an array of projects that include building space robotics, repairing/servicing satellites, studying the effects of lunar dust on hardware, and even a Mars rover set to launch in 2020. Throughout these challenging projects, she understands that learning happens every day: from failure, from colleagues, or from new experiences.

In this talk she shares five pillars for learning and developing new skills and competencies:

• Perseverance
• Embracing Failure
• Working Outside Comfort Zones
• Optimism
• Peak Moments

Natalie provides audiences with a practical structure for implementing these pillars in their lives so that learning and the goals we choose to pursue will know no boundaries.

How can organizations build for something that does not yet exist or build something that seems unimaginable? Breakthrough technology solutions come about through future-focused planning and adapting for success along the way.
Whether it’s building space robots that need to perform in the extreme environment of space or building a Mars rover that will be operating on another planet, Natalie’s engineering experiences teach what to do if there is no existing road map for your ideas, or even for the execution of those ideas. Having a vision, the design process, decision making, teamwork, and mentorship are each navigational waypoints for helping get new ideas off the ground – for transforming an idea into reality. In this presentation, Natalie shows you the importance of each, and how to implement them within your organization.

Why change the ratio in STEM? Why focus and prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? The bottom line is that many industries are affected negatively when diverse perspectives are not included in the way we work; when differing points of view are not involved in problem-solving or the development of technologies that changes the way we live and work. Natalie’s experience as an Aerospace Engineer working in a male-dominated industry offers a unique perspective on how we can support people working in STEM through:

• Changing organizational culture
• Doing the hard work
• Lifting each other up

In this presentation, Natalie shares her experiences and lessons learned as a woman in the field to show audiences some practical ways we can break down barriers and ensure that we inspire, recruit, and retain women and minorities to pursue STEM careers.

We all encounter turning points – moments of decision-making that affect the outcomes of our lives. So how do we transition these into the best possible outcome? An avid adventurer, Natalie has explored areas of Greenland, Baffin Island, Patagonia, the Rockies, and Alaska, among other areas, often navigating by map and compass. Throughout her experiences, Natalie has learned just how leadership in the outdoors translates into leadership in life.

In this presentation, she shows audiences how utilizing patience, following the road less traveled, tapping into grace under pressure, having confidence, and taking the time to plan up front each provides the best chance of success. Whether exploring extreme environments here on Earth or building hardware to explore the extreme environments found in space, Natalie inspires audiences to take control of their decision-making process.