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NASA attorney Dawn Oliver '97 got an inside look at the U.S. Government as part of the prestigious White House Leadership Development Program.
It’s never too late to appreciate the complexities of governance. For Dawn Oliver ’97, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allowed her to not only observe the inner workings of the nation’s capital, but to play an active role in it.
The lead attorney for commercial partnerships at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, she was one of a select few to participate in the White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP). The yearlong opportunity to live in Washington, D.C., attend unique leadership training sessions, and work at the center of government was exactly the kind of personal-professional experience Oliver desired.
“I’ve worked for NASA for 24 years, and I have only worked for NASA, so this was not only an opportunity for me to stretch myself outside of NASA, but also outside the legal profession,” said Oliver. “I wanted to get some experience leading teams, being a part of teams, and learn more about how the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) operates. Being in Texas, I’m so far removed from Washington D.C., I was not completely aware of how NASA or other agencies interacted with this part of the government, so that was what I was seeking in addition to enhancing my leadership skills.”
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