Mary Denise Kerwin

Mary Denise Kerwin is Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Ms. Kerwin is responsible for advising the Administrator and his senior leadership on all matters pertaining to presentation of, and advocacy for, NASA’s annual budget requests to Congress, ensuring that NASA’s budget and programs are communicated effectively and consistently to Congress, securing appropriations outcomes that maximize the President’s program for NASA, communicating fully with Congress on the execution of enacted NASA budgets, and ensuring that NASA’s relationship with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations remains open and productive. Ms. Kerwin manages the development and implementation of NASA’s strategy for securing annual Agency budgets from Congress of approximately $18.5 billion annually in support of NASA’s science, aeronautics, space technology and human exploration programs.

Prior to her appointment as Deputy CFO for Appropriations, Ms. Kerwin served as NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs from 2006 to 2015. From 2004-2006, Ms. Kerwin served as Deputy Comptroller for Appropriations in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that assignment, Ms. Kerwin served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Legislative Affairs from 1999-2002. As the senior career manager for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ms. Kerwin has served as Acting Associate Administrator on three occasions during Presidential transitions prior to appointment of a Presidential appointee—in 1991, 2000, and 2009. From 1993-1999, Ms. Kerwin served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Legislative Affairs (Programs), and from 1988-1993, she served as Director of the Congressional Liaison Division in the Office of Legislative Affairs.

Ms. Kerwin is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service in 2009, and three Presidential Rank Awards for Meritorious Service, in 2006, 2001, and 1993, respectively. She is also the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal (2005), the NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1999), and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (1993), and is a Senior Executive Fellow of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. She earned a B.A. from Georgia State University, completed graduate study at the University of Chicago, and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.