Gwynne Shotwell
Born 1963 · Age 63
American engineer and business executive; President and COO of SpaceX, responsible for day-to-day operations, customer and strategic relations, and company growth.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Gwynne Shotwell and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Evanston, Illinois
Born Gwynne Rowley in Evanston, Illinois; middle of three daughters.
Watched Apollo 11 broadcast as a child
At age five watched Apollo 11 TV broadcast with family (later recalled it as 'boring').
Early interest in engines sparked
As a child (third grade) her mother bought her a book about engines; early curiosity in how machines worked shaped later engineering interest.
Graduated Libertyville High School
Graduated from Libertyville High School; excelled academically and in athletics (varsity basketball and cheerleading).
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern
Received BS in Mechanical Engineering (with honors reported by some sources) from Northwestern University (McCormick School).
Joined Chrysler management training program
Took a job in the automotive industry at Chrysler's management training program after college; initially enjoyed the role but later left.
IBM interview on Challenger disaster day
Had an interview with IBM on the day of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster (Jan 28, 1986); the event disturbed her and she did not receive a job offer.
Joined The Aerospace Corporation (El Segundo)
Started working at The Aerospace Corporation's El Segundo research center doing technical work on military space R&D contracts; worked in thermal analysis and systems engineering.
Master of Science, Applied Mathematics, Northwestern
Returned to Northwestern and earned an MS in Applied Mathematics (with honors reported by some sources).
Worked on STS-39 project
One of the early projects she contributed to at The Aerospace Corporation was STS-39 (a Shuttle mission); work included thermal analysis and related systems engineering tasks.
Promoted to Chief Engineer of an MLV-class satellite program
During her tenure at The Aerospace Corporation she was promoted to Chief Engineer on an MLV-class satellite program and managed major studies for FAA and NASA policy analysis.
Managed FAA landmark study on commercial space transportation
Led a landmark study for the Federal Aviation Administration on commercial space transportation while at The Aerospace Corporation.
Left The Aerospace Corporation; joined Microcosm Inc.
Left after ~10 years at The Aerospace Corporation to become Director of the Space Systems Division at Microcosm Inc. (small rocket company), serving on the executive committee and leading business development.
Joined SpaceX as Vice President of Business Development
Introduced to Elon Musk via former colleague Hans Koenigsmann; persuaded Musk to hire a dedicated business development hire and joined SpaceX two weeks after meeting, becoming VP of Business Development (one of the company's very early employees, reported as the 7th).
Elected to California Space Authority Board of Directors
Shotwell was elected to the California Space Authority Board and served on its executive committee (election reported in 2004).
CRS / NASA contract awarded (value reported)
NASA awarded SpaceX a multi-hundred-million to multi-billion-dollar contract (commonly reported in sources as roughly $1.6 billion for development and resupply under COTS/CRS programs) enabling cargo delivery to the ISS.
Falcon 1 first successful orbital launch (fourth attempt)
SpaceX's Falcon 1 achieved orbit on its fourth flight (Sept 28, 2008), a critical technical milestone that set the stage for commercial contracts.
Promoted to President & COO of SpaceX
Promoted in December 2008 after playing a leading role negotiating the first Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA; took responsibility for day-to-day operations and company growth.
Raised substantial funds for STEM scholarships (cumulative)
Through corporate and external programs she led fundraising that raised over $350,000 for the Frank J. Redd Student Competition (in six years) and totals reported for STEM programs range from $1.4M to $1.8M across her leadership efforts.
World Technology Award (Individual Achievement in Space)
Received the World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space.
Inducted into Women in Technology International (WITI) Hall of Fame
Recognized for leadership and achievement in technology and engineering with induction into the WITI Hall of Fame.
Named Fellow of AIAA
Elected to the grade of Fellow with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Participated in Frank J. Redd scholarship fundraising committee
Led a committee that raised over $350,000 in scholarships for the Frank J. Redd Student Competition over six years (reported as a significant STEM education contribution).
Authored numerous technical papers and studies
Over her career Shotwell authored dozens of papers on space-related subjects and led policy/technical studies for FAA and NASA while at The Aerospace Corporation.
TEDx Talk at TEDxChapmanU
Gave a TEDx talk (June 2013) on the importance of STEM and her outlook on engineering and space.
Appointed to U.S. Export-Import Bank Advisory Committee & FAA Management Advisory Council
Appointed to two federal advisory roles in 2014 reflecting industry/government leadership.
Served on Northwestern McCormick Advisory Council / Trustee roles
Serves/served on Northwestern University's McCormick School advisory council and as a university trustee in various capacities (date-range: ongoing; role cited in multiple institutional biographies).
Talk at 'Captains of Industry' series (Brent Scowcroft Center)
Spoke on private entrepreneurial accomplishments in advancing spaceflight technology (June 2014).
First successful orbital first-stage recovery (program milestone)
Under her operational leadership, SpaceX achieved the first successful recovery/landing milestones for orbital-class rocket first stages (mid-2010s), enabling reusability.
Via Satellite Satellite Executive of the Year (first time)
Named Satellite Executive of the Year (Via Satellite) in 2017.
Awarded ASME Ralph Coats Roe Medal (reported 2018 by some sources)
Reported recipient of the ASME Ralph Coats Roe Medal around 2018 timeframe; recognition for contributions to engineering and public service (dates vary by source).
First relaunch of a previously flown orbital-class booster (SES-10)
SpaceX executed the first reflight of an orbital-class Falcon 9 first stage (SES-10 mission, Mar 30, 2017); a major reusability milestone overseen by Shotwell.
Forbes America's Top 50 Women in Tech (2018)
Listed by Forbes among America's Top 50 Women in Tech; Business Insider also named her the most powerful female engineer in 2018.
Fortune ranking and other recognitions around 2018
Fortune placed her among the World's 50 Greatest Leaders (e.g., #42 in 2018 by some reports); Business Insider named her most powerful female engineer in 2018.
TED interview at TED main conference
Appeared at TED 2018 (May) interviewed by Chris Anderson about SpaceX plans including high-speed Earth travel ideas.
Grace Hopper Celebration keynote/talk
Delivered 'Launching Our Future' talk at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, emphasizing aerospace advances and diversity.
Appointed to Polaris Industries Board (announcement)
Polaris Industries announced Shotwell would join its Board of Directors in March 2019 (announcement Feb 6, 2019).
Time 100: One of the 100 most influential people
Named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People (2020).
Via Satellite Satellite Executive of the Year (second time)
Named Satellite Executive of the Year again (2020).
Elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering
Elected to the National Academy of Engineering 'for bringing affordable, commercially competitive space transportation to NASA and the US National Security Space Launch.'
First private company to launch astronauts to Earth orbit (Demo-2)
SpaceX launched NASA astronauts to orbit (Demo-2) on May 30, 2020; SpaceX became the first private company to send astronauts to the ISS — an achievement under Shotwell's operational leadership.
Public allegations about SpaceX workplace sexism and harassment (media coverage)
December 2021: Former employees and interns published allegations about sexism and harassment at SpaceX; Shotwell and company response were covered widely in the press.
Led negotiations for Starlink service to Ukraine (initial donation)
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Shotwell led SpaceX negotiations to provide Starlink internet services (initially donated) to Ukraine for communications and humanitarian use.
Forbes: 28th Most Powerful Woman; Fortune: 54th Most Powerful Woman (2023)
Listed #28 on Forbes' Most Powerful Women in the World (2023) and #54 on Fortune's Most Powerful Women (2023).
Shotwell limited Starlink uses for weaponized drones (public statement)
In early 2023 she publicly stated SpaceX implemented measures to prevent Starlink from being used to control combat drones in Ukraine, and said some uses were outside the original donation agreement.
Starlink Pentagon / DoD contract for Ukraine (formalized)
DoD contract reported (June 1, 2023) to buy Starlink for Ukraine, formalizing prior donation arrangements that Shotwell negotiated.
Public praise from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson for leadership
Bill Nelson publicly praised Shotwell's 'phenomenal' leadership as SpaceX developed Falcon 9 into a launch workhorse; Nelson reported being reassured by meetings with Shotwell regarding company operations after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter.
SpaceX corporate manifest milestone (manifest / revenue growth)
Public statements and profiles over time credit Shotwell with building the Falcon manifest: sources variably report >50 launches / $5B revenue (earlier) and later >70–100 launches representing $10–15B in business (figures updated as program matured).
Recognized as a billionaire in some profiles (Net worth ~ $1.2B, May 2025)
Profiles and reporting in 2024–2025 attribute roughly a 0.3% stake in SpaceX to Shotwell and estimate her net worth at about $1.2 billion as SpaceX's valuation reached hundreds of billions.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Gwynne Shotwell and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Jerry Yang
Born 1968 · Age 58
Taiwanese-born American computer programmer, internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist; co‑founder and former CEO of Yahoo! Inc.; founding partner of AME Cloud Ventures; philanthropist.
Preet Bharara
Born 1968 · Age 58
Indian American lawyer and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (2009–2017); later academic, author, podcast host, and partner at WilmerHale.
Daphne Koller
Born 1968 · Age 58
Israeli-American computer scientist, Stanford professor, pioneer in probabilistic graphical models, co-founder of Coursera and Engageli, founder & CEO of insitro, MacArthur Fellow and recipient of multiple top computing awards.
James Altucher
Born 1968 · Age 58
American hedge-fund manager, entrepreneur, author, podcaster and investor; founded or co-founded 20+ companies, author of 20+ books, podcaster and investor in tech, crypto and AI.
Susan Wojcicki
Born 1968 · Age 58
American technology executive; early Google employee who led development of AdWords/AdSense, persuaded Google to acquire YouTube (2006) and served as YouTube CEO (2014–2023).
Caitlin Long
Born 1968 · Age 58
Wall Street veteran turned crypto-banking pioneer; founder & CEO of Custodia Bank (formerly Avanti). Key architect of Wyoming's blockchain-friendly laws and long-time advocate for integrating digital assets with the traditional banking system.