Ms. Jaya Bajpayee brings nearly 10 years of executive leadership experience in science, technology and program/project management. In her current capacity as the Deputy Director of Exploration Technology Directorate at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Ms. Bajpayee provides executive leadership and strategic direction for a diverse portfolio of NASA’s most critical technical domains including NASA’s advanced supercomputing, human systems integration, intelligent systems, and entry systems & technologies.  

Throughout her tenure Ms. Bajpayee has had the privilege of serving in numerous high-impact positions that utilized her skills to formulate and direct strategic initiatives; build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams; and bridge the gap between high level scientific goals and operational execution. Her leadership style is defined by a commitment to technical excellence and a forward-thinking approach to program management.

Beyond her technical and executive responsibilities, Jaya is a dedicated mentor and a passionate advocate for equity and fairness in the workplace. By mentoring talented individuals and championing organizational transparency, she works to ensure that the science, technology, engineering and project management fields remain accessible and equitable for all.