Ms. Cunningham started ~38 years ago as the 1st set of KSC engineering new hires after the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident.

She’s held numerous KSC positions, including Orbiter Thermal Protection System (TPS) Systems and Project Engineer, Shuttle Upgrades & Exploration Project Manager, NASA/AF Joint Planning & Customer Service Office Deputy and Sr. Spaceport Manager, Business Development Manager, and Center Strategic Planning Manager. 

She currently works with NASA, Industry, Academic, and DoD leaders to research community & Center OCOMM issues/initiatives, determine KSC/Agency impacts, and collaborate on strategic approaches that synergize efforts/best utilize resources.

She’s the 1st Space Congress/SpaceCom Gov’t Chair. She works with a team to organize an annual conference with aerospace executives for 4,000 attendees. She invites National/International prominent speakers to present their initiatives.

She shares NASA’s missions with aerospace societies as NASA KSC’s liaison for the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA), National Space Club FL, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, American Space Museum & Walk of Fame. She was previously the Space Florida Liaison & a Board Advisory Member.

She’s worked with former & current NASA & Industry Executives, including retired Astronauts Bob Crippen, Roy Bridges, & Bob Cabana, and KSC Deputy Director, Kelvin Manning; and some groundbreaking female NASA leaders, including retired KSC Associate Director & only woman in firing room for Apollo 11, JoAnn Morgan; and KSC Center Director, Janet Petro. 

She’s active in outreach and mentoring. She educates others about NASA’s missions and “pays it forward”, sharing her career experiences and lessons-learned.  She’s also a singer and performs for NASA & other aerospace organizations at events and galas.  

She has a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla, and an MS in Space Systems Operations from Florida Tech. 

She’s received NASA’s Government Invention of the Year Award, Exceptional Achievement & Exceptional Service Medals, Center Director’s “Gold Dollar” Award, & NASA’s “You Make a Difference”. She’s an AIAA Associate Fellow. 

She resides in Merritt Island near the nation’s Spaceport with her husband Phil.