Kathleen Karika

Kathleen Karika is an experienced professional in the aerospace and defense sectors, currently serving as the Director of Research Operations at Virgin Galactic since July 2022. Prior experience includes roles at Maxar Technologies, where Kathleen was a Senior Manager leading business operations for the Space Capture team and managing international government relations for major projects. Previous positions encompass Senior Manager of Strategic Growth, where long-range company strategies were developed, and Sr Product Manager at both Maxar and DigitalGlobe, where key high-value satellite solutions were established. Kathleen's extensive background also features a role at Lockheed Martin as the Middle East Regional Sales and Capture Manager, overseeing significant campaigns, and internships with NASA and the U.S. House of Representatives. Kathleen holds a Master of International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Texas A&M University, along with experience at Corvinus University of Budapest.