Gregory Robinson is a 33-year NASA veteran and the former director of the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (Webb)—one of the most significant achievements in NASA's history and a breakthrough in astronomical exploration. With 100 times more power than its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb is capturing unprecedented images and providing insights into the origins of the universe.

Robinson’s leadership was pivotal in transforming the Webb program, turning it around from an over-budget, delayed initiative into a high-efficiency success, raising its efficiency from 55% to 95%. His unique approach to leadership—marked by a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and innovation—helped streamline communication between multiple stakeholders, including Congress, the White House, international space agencies, and aerospace contractors. His calm, collaborative style earned him praise across the board, especially for motivating and managing a team of nearly 20,000 scientists, engineers, and support staff in 29 countries and 14 U.S. states.

Today, the Webb telescope is one million miles from Earth, transmitting groundbreaking images and revealing galaxies being born, largely due to Robinson's quiet, effective leadership. Over its 20-year lifespan, Webb is set to change our understanding of the universe.

Robinson’s extraordinary accomplishments were recognized in 2022 when he was named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and EBONY’s Power 100 lists. He was also honored with the TIME100 Impact Award, named Federal Employee of the Year, and received the prestigious 2022 Distinguished Presidential Rank Award. Additionally, Columbia University recruited him to teach at their School of Professional Studies, where he lectures on information and knowledge strategy and leading complex, large-scale projects.