Mallory Carbon Portrait

“I feel that my larger purpose at NASA, which I've felt since I came on as an intern, is to leave NASA a better place than I found it. I know there are so many people who are just like myself, who have had this big, huge dream of being at NASA from some sort of spark in their childhood. I have a privilege as a well-spoken, affable, femme, white woman and I’m compelled to use this privilege for good — to advocate for others. I feel like this dream should be achievable for anyone who has the merit to be here without wondering 'Are my needs going [to] be met?' Or, 'If I'm a part of a particular community, will I be faced with any sort of backlash because of the culture?' As an Agency, we're trying to do incredibly hard things moving forward. And going forward, I choose to use the privilege of being at HQ and being very close to leadership as a vessel for progress to help ensure we get closer to everybody having the right to achieve their dream here." NASA Management and Program Analyst Mallory Carbon, poses for a portrait, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, outside the NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)