CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, center director Bob Cabana poses with current and former interns. From the left are Joy Burkey, Robert Hubbard, Carla Koch, Cabana, LaKeesha Flowers, Michael Miller and Michael Masters. A former U.S. Marine Corps aviator and NASA astronaut, Cabana was honored at the gala Debus Award Dinner. Named for the spaceport’s first director, the Debus Award was created to recognize significant achievements and contributions made in Florida to American aerospace efforts. The Debus Award was created by the space club's Florida committee to recognize significant achievements and contributions made in Florida to American aerospace efforts. Photo credit: NASA_Jim Grossmann

Dana Hutcherson, a deputy manager in the Commercial Crew Program, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Allison Tankersley, NASA Communications, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Kayla Smith speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Brittany White, with Safety and Mission Assurance, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Jennifer Kunz, Kennedy Space Center’s associate director, technical, is the keynote speaker during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Kristina Irastorza, with the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, is a speaker during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Juan Miller Escandon, with Exploration Ground Systems, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Jennifer Kunz, Kennedy Space Center’s associate director, technical, is the keynote speaker during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Dana Hutcherson, a deputy manager in the Commercial Crew Program, delivers closing remarks during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Tim Dunn, NASA Launch Director with the Launch Services Program, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Lakesha Flowers, Human Resources representative, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 2, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Caitlin Dunlap, with the Engineering Directorate, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Jonathan Baker, Chief Financial Officer’s office, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.

Steven Gilmore, NASA community planner, speaks to participants during an internal knowledge sharing program hosted by Launching Leaders at the Kennedy Learning Institute on May 3, 2023. Launching leaders is an employee resource group that works to identify opportunities to engage emerging professionals at Kennedy Space Center to stimulate the growth of leadership skills, increase overall employee satisfaction, and enhance retention.