Senior Vice President Strategic Communications & Marketing

Michelle Olson is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing for Space Foundation, where she leads strategy to advance the organization’s mission and expand its impact across the global space community.

Michelle brings more than 35 years of experience in public relations and integrated marketing, with expertise in corporate communications, issues management, aerospace and defense, and advanced air mobility. Prior to joining Space Foundation, she served as U.S. Chief Client Officer at LLYC, where she led the firm’s aerospace and defense and advanced air mobility practices and drove strategic growth and partnerships. She previously founded and led her own communications firm, which a New York advertising agency acquired in 2014.

Throughout her career, Michelle has led strategic communications campaigns for major aerospace and defense initiatives, including one that helped an aerospace and defense company secure the largest military contract in its history. She also helped launch an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at CES and Uber Elevate in 2019 and convened leaders for the inaugural Arizona Advanced Air Mobility Summit.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, with a minor in Business Administration, from Minnesota State University at Moorhead. She has been recognized throughout her career for her work and leadership in the communications profession, including being named to PR News’s Top Women in PR and Ragan’s Distinguished Women. She also received a Stevie Award for Thought Leadership. She is Accredited in Public Relations (APR), a member of the PRSA College of Fellows, and served as national chair of the Public Relations Society of America in 2021.