NASA, Motherhood & Nonlinear Paths

Irene Chan is a Flight Planning Engineer supporting NASA’s International Space Station and Moon to Mars programs to coordinate safe and effective space missions. A first generation American raised by a single mother in East Los Angeles, Irene did not follow

a traditional path into aerospace. Irene holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a lifetime member of the Society of Women

Engineers, an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and an active advocate for STEM education and outreach. Her journey, shaped by resilience, curiosity, and community support, informs her passion for inspiring

girls, young women, and the parents who support them to confidently navigate STEM careers.