Pope’s tenure at Stellar Solutions follows a 21-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where she reached the position of Director of Program Management and Analysis at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Since transitioning to the private sector in 2008, she has remained a pivotal figure in space strategy, serving as a senior advisor for programs ranging from NASA’s Artemis moon-to-mars exploration to critical U.S. Space Force portfolios.

Beyond her technical contributions, Pope has prioritized mentorship as a core pillar of her professional life. Through her work with the Air and Space Forces Association and the AFCEA-LA Chapter, she has developed scholarship programs and networking forums designed to place women in senior technical leadership roles. Her commitment to STEM outreach dates back to her early efforts in elementary education, where she expanded science programs to reach hundreds of students. The award will be formally presented on December 10, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Virginia.