Dr. Sian Leo Proctor is a poet, artist, and visionary futurist. In 2021, astronaut-explorer Dr. Proctor made history as the first artist selected to go to space on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She is the first woman commercial spaceship pilot and the only African-American woman to be a mission pilot.
Dr. Proctor is the founder and CEO of Space2inspire, an art and media entertainment company. Her nonprofit is the Proctor Foundation for Art and Science where she sends community college students and faculty to Space Camp. She is an international speaker and science communicator and has authored multiple books including the science book EarthLight. Dr Proctor believes humanity gets to actively strive for a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Space (J.E.D.I. Space) both here on Earth and off planet in order to ensure space is for everybody.
Dr. Proctor is currently a member of the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group and serves on the STEM Education subcommittee and Climate and Societal Benefits subcommittee. She is also the U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space.