Renee King, serving as the Deputy Director of Equal Opportunity at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the space agency maintains an inclusive and equitable environment for all its employees. King oversees various programs within the Equal Opportunity (EO) framework, including managing complaints, reasonable accommodations, Affirmative Employment, and special emphasis programs. Her efforts are integral to Goddard’s dedication to fostering a diverse and talented workforce.
Professional Path and Educational Background
King’s professional journey at NASA began after being attracted to the agency’s top-ranking reputation for workplace quality. With a bachelor’s degree in business administration, King has a passion for equality and fairness, and she joined Goddard as an EEO specialist before ascending to her current leadership role in 2022.
Strategic Goals and Data-Driven Change
King’s goals for the EO programs at Goddard include recognizing and supporting underrepresented groups by understanding and utilizing data to effect change. Through strategic outreach and partnerships with diverse institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and tribal universities, King aims to increase the diversity of Goddard’s talent pool. Moreover, she manages the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which cover a wide range of demographics, each contributing to the center’s culture and community.
King’s role involves consulting and advising senior management on all matters of equal opportunity, ensuring that Goddard’s EO programs are recognized as an essential part of the organization. Through regular bi-weekly meetings with the management, King ensures the continuous support and attention to the EO program’s needs.
Inspired by her mother’s strength and resilience, King’s personal story is characterized by the legacy of strong women in her family. Outside of her professional pursuits, King enjoys shopping, home decorating, and planning family events, reflecting her balanced personal and professional life.
Her six-word memoir encapsulates the essence of her character: “Resilient. Loyal. Diligent. Professional. Kind. Supportive.” These traits not only define her professional ethos but also her contribution to NASA’s mission of inclusivity and diversity.
