Dr. Kathryn Sullivan has been shortlisted for a 2026 Global Recognition Award.

First name

Kathryn

Last name

Sullivan

Industry

Oceanography, Environmental Science

Area of excellence

Leadership, Service

Scale of impact or excellence in your field

International

Vision and strategy implementation

5

Addressing global challenges

5

Impact on community or industry

5

Scale and reach of service initiatives

5

Ethical decision-making and integrity

5

Ability to inspire and motivate others

5

Originality or innovation in research or its methodology

5

Supporting evidence to showcase achievements

As a geologist, former NASA astronaut, U.S. Naval Reserve Captain, and NOAA Administrator, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding and protecting our planet from both outer space and under the sea. I made history as the first American woman to walk in space and later became the first woman to reach the deepest point in Earth’s ocean, the Challenger Deep. 

From 2014 to 2017, I served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of NOAA, overseeing the agency’s critical work in weather prediction, climate science, fisheries management, and coastal resilience. In this role, I championed the importance of gathering and disseminating geospatial data about our natural world, highlighting opportunities for urgent action against climate change to bolster societal and economic resilience. My extensive oceanographic research spans the floors of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, contributing fundamental knowledge about Earth’s geology and ocean systems. 

I previously served as NOAA’s Chief Scientist and held command of a U.S. Navy unit of oceanographers and meteorologists. My unique perspective—having viewed Earth from space and explored its deepest ocean trenches—informs my advocacy for science-based environmental policy and climate action, making significant contributions to global understanding of our planet’s interconnected systems and the urgent need for sustainability.