Jessica PedersenSenior Director, American Rocketry Challenge & STEM Engagement

Jessica Pedersen is the Senior Director for American Rocketry Challenge and STEM Engagement at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where she leads national initiatives that advance STEM education through immersive engineering experiences. With more than 20 years in the aerospace and national security sectors, Pedersen combines technical knowledge with organizational strategy to expand STEM engagement, foster partnerships, and inspire the next generation of innovators and STEM professionals.

Most recently, Pedersen spearheaded strategic planning and technical initiatives at General Dynamics Mission Systems. Her work supported innovation and integration across space and cyber domains, helping drive technical advancements in high-performance, mission-critical systems.

Earlier in her career, Pedersen held multiple roles at Lockheed Martin. As Middle East and Africa Business Development Manager, she built and strengthened relationships with regional embassies, international organizations, and key partners. She also worked as Business Development Manager for the company’s international portfolio, supporting customer engagement with NATO, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Pedersen served as a Department of State Franklin Fellow in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), where she led the development and implementation of DRL’s first Functional Bureau Strategy, a three-year plan defining the Bureau’s highest priorities and goals.

Pedersen holds a BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Maryland.