Senior Leadership

Laurie Labra

Vice President / Exploration and Logistics, Space Exploration and Human Performance Division

Laurie Labra leads a diverse team of more than 2,750 employees, generating over $500 million in annual revenue and delivering world-class research, engineering and technology development, information systems, human health and performance, operations and mission solutions.

Space Exploration and Logistics Division (SEHP) is critical to NASA’s human spaceflight operations, spanning mission planning, training and execution. The organization also advances NASA’s commercial spaceflight vision by supporting private astronaut training and other commercial initiatives. SEHP actively serves the local community through participation in more than 30 outreach and service events each year.

Before her current role, Labra served as a program manager for both the Integrated Mission Operations Contract II (IMOC II) and the Mission Systems Operations Contract (MSOC) at Johnson Space Center (JSC).  On IMOC II, she managed a $1.3 billion contract and a workforce of more than 700 personnel, leading schedule, cost and technical performance for this 24/7/365 International Space Station (ISS) support program. Under her leadership, the contract achieved strong technical results, earned excellent award fee scores and exceeded all small business goals.

On MSOC, Labra oversaw a $1.13 billion contract and more than 500 personnel, delivering full life cycle support to the JSC Flight Operations Directorate Mission Systems. This included the Mission Control Center, the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility and training systems supporting all human exploration activities, including the ISS and exploration programs.

Labra began her career in 1988 as an astronaut instructor for the Space Shuttle program at JSC. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles with increasing responsibility and has led multiple large-scale contract transitions. On the Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC) program, she successfully merged two major contracts, transitioning 1,200 personnel, nine subcontracts and 30,500 assets while establishing two office facilities — all within 54 days. She accomplished this while maintaining 24/7/365 operations and supporting a shuttle launch. She also led the organization through the space shuttle transition and retirement.

A Houston-area native, Labra holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston. Her honors include the prestigious NASA Silver Snoopy Award, the NASA Star Award and the SGT President’s Award. She actively supports STEM outreach and serves on the Limitless Space Institute Board of Advisors and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Board of Directors