Naimah Bhuruku

Program Specialist @ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

About

I’m a passionate change agent, TEDx speaker, and people strategist with 17+ years of experience in empowering individuals, inspiring courageous leadership, and reshaping organizational culture. My work lives at the intersection of empathy, equity, and impact. Rooted in my identity as a Haitian American Muslim woman and child of immigrants, I bring a lived understanding of exclusion and a deep commitment to belonging. This fuels my leadership purpose: to create brave spaces, amplify unheard voices, and guide people and organizations through uncertainty with empathy-filled empowerment. I specialize in change management, leadership and employee development, instructional design, and facilitation -- partnering with professionals across all levels, from early career to C-suite. I help organizations move from performative gestures to purpose-driven, sustainable action by: 🟢 Facilitating complex, healing-centered conversations on inclusion and belonging 🟢 Designing empathic learning opportunities that ignite behavior change 🟢 Challenging systemic barriers and fostering psychologically safe environments 🟢Coaching leaders to step into their authentic voice and lead with heart With a background spanning program management, DEIA strategy, and federal acquisition including work with NASA and other agencies, I apply a cross-functional, systems-level lens to every engagement. Whether spotlighting emerging talent, building leadership pipelines, or architecting culture change, I aim to create environments where people feel seen, heard, and equipped to lead. ✨✨Let’s connect! :)✨✨ Especially if you’re ready to lead with empathy, center humanity, and co-create change that sticks!

Country

United States

City

Lanham

Industry

Defense & Space

Skill

Equity, Organizational Effectiveness, Disability Management, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Disabilities, Disability Rights, Equality & Diversity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Entrepreneurship, Career Strategist, Career Development, Employee Training, Space Systems, Professional Mentoring, Organization Skills, Legislative Relations, Legislative Affairs, Public Policy, Community Organizing, Academic Coaching

Experience

Program Specialist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

2019-11 - Present · 6 yrs 11 mos

Greenbelt, Maryland, United States

Led enterprise-wide workforce development and culture initiatives with a focus on new and early career employees. Designed and executed high-impact learning initiatives using instructional design, data analysis, and strategic planning to enhance professional growth and drive organizational effectiveness. Collaborated across departments to address workforce challenges, increase engagement, and embed inclusion into the employee experience. Spearheaded large-scale training efforts, managed reasonable accommodations, and implemented policy-aligned initiatives that fostered a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and belonging.

Contracting Officer - Team Lead

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

2014-8 - 2019-11 · 5 yrs 4 mos

Space Sciences Division - Greenbelt, MD

Managed complex, high-value acquisitions throughout the full contract lifecycle, overseeing multimillion-dollar procurements and supporting negotiations to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate risk. Led and mentored junior acquisition specialists, fostering professional growth and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Served as a trusted resource to leadership and cross-functional teams, contributing to the refinement of acquisition strategies, optimization of procurement policies, and advancement of agency priorities through cost-effective, compliant solutions that advanced mission - critical space science initiatives.

Contract Specialist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

2012-6 - 2014-8 · 2 yrs 3 mos

Office of Mission Enabling - Greenbelt, MD

Provided end-to-end acquisition support for engineering and technology missions at NASA, managing complex procurements that enable cutting-edge research, development, and space exploration initiatives. Led the development of acquisition strategies, solicitation packages, and contract negotiations for high-value technical services and systems. Collaborated with engineers, scientists, and program managers to deliver timely, cost-effective, and FAR-compliant contracting solutions that advanced NASA’s mission in aerospace innovation and discovery.

Equal Employment Specialist | Reasonable Accommodation & Compliance

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2024-3 - 2025-3 · 1 yr 1 mo

Washington DC-Baltimore Area (Headquarters)

Advocate for equity and inclusion by managing reasonable accommodation requests in alignment with federal laws and agency policy. Collaborate with HR, legal, and management to ensure timely, compliant case resolution. Provide subject matter expertise on disability inclusion. Champion fair access to opportunity while upholding legal and ethical standards.

Contract Specialist

Marine Corps Systems Command

2009-8 - 2012-5 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Quantico, VA

Supported the full lifecycle of defense acquisitions at Marine Corps Systems Command, managing procurement planning, solicitation, negotiation, and contract administration for mission-critical systems and services. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, while advancing acquisition strategies that enhanced Marine Corps operational readiness.

Academic Advisor

University of Maryland Global Campus

2006-7 - 2009-8 · 3 yrs 2 mos

Adelphi, Maryland, United States

Guided the academic journey of a diverse student population of 700+, developing personalized learning pathways and driving successful outcomes. Applied data-driven insights to assess program effectiveness, enhance educational strategies, and support student achievement. Leveraged strong advisory, program management, and strategic planning skills to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver impactful, inclusive learning experiences.

Legislative Aide

The Maryland General Assembly

2006-1 - 2006-4 · 4 mos

Annapolis, Maryland, United States

Provided critical support during the Maryland General Assembly’s regular 90-day sessions, with readiness for potential 30-day extensions. Actively engaged in constituent advocacy by addressing concerns, facilitating communication, and ensuring responsive support. Collaborated closely with state and local officials, lobbyists, and delegates across Maryland to monitor and influence legislative initiatives. Conducted in-depth policy research, prepared legislative briefs, and tracked bills to support informed decision-making and effective lawmaking.