Michèle Flournoy Joins Astra Board of Directors

Former Under Secretary of Defense joins Astra board as chair of nominating and corporate governance committee

Alameda, California. August 11, 2021. Astra Space today announced that Michèle Flournoy has been appointed to Astra’s Board of Directors and will chair the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance committee, effective August 10, 2021.

Flournoy was the highest-ranking woman in the Department of Defense when she served President Obama as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to February 2012, acting as principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the formulation of national security and defense policy, and in National Security Council deliberations. She led the development of the Department of Defense’s 2012 Strategic Guidance and represented the Department in dozens of foreign engagements, in the media and before Congress.  Flournoy is also the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2000, and has authored various works on a broad range of defense and national security issues.

“Michèle is an extraordinary executive and uniquely qualified to provide guidance and insight on our aspiration to provide launch services to government and commercial customers.”

said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Astra.

“She is not only a respected and adept defense industry advisor but also possesses a genuine entrepreneurial spirit as co-founder of two respected and successful organizations.”

Flournoy served under President Clinton as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy as well as principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Threat Reduction.  Flournoy is the co-founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors, and serves on several non-profit boards including The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), CARE, The Mission Continues, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of The Leadership Council for Women in National Security. She is also a former member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, the CIA Director’s External Advisory Board, the Defense Policy Board, and is a Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

“Space is the ultimate high ground. I’m excited to help lead Astra’s effort to launch the next generation of space services and usher a new era of American innovation in space.”

said Flournoy.