Susie Perez Quinn's Biography

Early Career and Education

Susie Perez Quinn embarked on her professional journey after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminology at the University of South Florida, followed by a Master of Arts in Political Management from The George Washington University^{1 2}. Her early career was marked by her role as a Legislative Assistant at the Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington, where she honed her skills in government relations and policy advocacy¹.

Ascending the Ranks in Government

Quinn's career trajectory took a significant turn when she joined the office of United States Senator Bill Nelson. Starting as a Staff Assistant in March 2002, she quickly moved up to become a Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant for Energy and Appropriations, Deputy Legislative Director, and eventually Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy¹. During her tenure with Senator Nelson, Quinn developed a robust expertise in federal government operations, strategic communications, and policy advocacy, particularly in areas related to appropriations, public policy, and external relationships¹.

Leadership Roles in Government Relations

In September 2010, Quinn was appointed as an Assistant to the Director at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and contributed to the development of a new regulatory framework for offshore wind energy^{1 2}. Her career continued to flourish as she took on the role of Director of Government Relations at the National Governors Association in November 2019, where she led federal policy agenda execution for the nation's governors and played a key role in securing COVID-19 response relief and recovery funds^{1 2}.

Chief of Staff at NASA

In May 2021, Susie Perez Quinn was appointed as the Chief of Staff at NASA, where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of NASA Headquarters and helped set the strategic direction of the space agency alongside NASA Administrator Bill Nelson^{3 4 5}. Her tenure as Chief of Staff was marked by significant contributions to policy and program oversight, strategic planning, and the execution of federal policy agendas³.

Senior Advisor at NASA

As of January 2024, Quinn has been serving as a Senior Advisor at NASA, where she continues to leverage her passion for climate policy and her deep understanding of federal, state, and local government to guide NASA's strategic initiatives^{1 2}. Her instrumental role in making NASA's Earth science data more accessible and her contributions to various priorities, including the Earth Information Center, underscore her commitment to public service and her impact on national science and technology policy².

Throughout her career, Susie Perez Quinn has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to public service, making her a valuable asset to NASA and the broader government community.

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