"Houston, We Have Feelings: The Psychology of Challenge, Performance, & Mental Health in High-Performance Careers"

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking talk featuring Patricia “Patty” Ortiz, a trailblazing aerospace engineer and Acting Branch Chief for Space Projects & Partnerships at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. She plays a key role in the Artemis II mission, contributing to the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield instrumentation—vital for astronaut safety. Ortiz has built a remarkable career while championing access and opportunity for underrepresented communities through her global STEM initiative, Kids Need Space.

 

In this engaging talk, she will share insights from her own journey, exploring how resilience, community, and mental health practices are essential for navigating high-pressure careers and overcoming challenges such as imposter syndrome.