Our Executive Mentors

Nick Skytland

Nick is the Chief Technologist at the NASA Johnson Space Center and also Director of the Business Development and Technology Integration Office.  He is focused on helping NASA return to the Moon through technology development, strategic partnerships, open innovation, and technology transfer. Nick also advises organizations on how to navigate the future by developing forward leaning strategies, convening communities and developing missional technology. He is a passionate leader who has pioneered new ways of doing business in both government and industry for two decades. His best work is done at the intersection of technologists, change makers and explorers.

Nick is well known for launching and leading successful cutting-edge initiatives such as the Random Hacks of Kindness, the International Space Apps Challenge, the National Day of Civic Hacking, Indigitous Hack and Urbana's Hack4Missions. He created and led NASA’s Data Science, Open Innovation and Open Government programs, the 1958 Coworking Space, and many of NASAs social media accounts. He is the author of NASA’s Future of Work study and recently established the Agency’s Talent Marketplace. He is a gifted communicator and strategic leader who regularly speaks in technical and public spheres.

Outside of work, he is an avid adventurer, experienced diver, elder at Clear Creek Community Church and a dedicated triathlete who has completed 23 Ironman races. He lives in Houston with his wife and three kids.