Faces of NASA: Advanced Exploration Systems Data Manager Michael Chandler

“There was a training class [at Johnson Space Center] that I went to about how to be an ally, and that's where I learned about the Out and Allied Employee Resource Group.

“I joined the group and became pretty active! My first year, I started out by helping organize a panel event about how to be an ally and create a safe workplace for everyone. We pulled in leadership, came up with questions, and it was very well attended. It turned out to be a very successful thing and something that we’ve started doing every year now. The next year, I was co-chair of the Pride Committee, which is our big event. There’s a parade and a festival in downtown Houston, Texas and NASA always has a booth where we pass out information, education and outreach, and a lot of swag. Pulling the event together and organizing it was a huge task, and that’s the year I received the Trailblazer Award for the work I did for Pride.

“Winning the Trailblazer Award was a big one for me.

“I’ve learned to be a lot more passionate about things I care about. I think people in their early careers are very focused on moving up the ladder — and that’s a good thing — but the more the years go by, you start thinking, ‘okay, so I’m pretty well established in my career. I’m really happy with what I’m doing and where I’m at. So, what else can I do to enrich not only my personal life, but my work life as well?’ NASA’s Out and Allied Employee Resource Group helped me do that at work, and that carried over to my life outside of work as well! Those have been some of the things that have made my life pretty fulfilled.”

— Michael Chandler, Advanced Exploration Systems, Configuration and Data Management, Johnson Space Center

Interviewer: NASA / Tahira Allen