In this exciting episode of the IMPACT Women in Leadership Podcast we sit down with the remarkable Tabisa Taliwaku Kalisa, Chief of Business Operations in the Office of Procurement at NASA. Tabisa is not only a leader in her field but also an inspiration for women aspiring to break barriers in STEM.
Join us as Tabisa shares her journey from her early career to her pivotal role at NASA, highlighting the challenges she faced and the lessons learned along the way. She’ll discuss the critical importance of diversity and inclusion in the aerospace industry and how cultivating a strong team can drive innovation and success.
We’ll also dive into the world of procurement at NASA—an essential component that supports groundbreaking missions and exploration. Tabisa’s insights will illuminate how strategic decision-making impacts the future of space exploration and the vital role women play in shaping that future.
Whether you’re a budding leader, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the intersection of leadership and space, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Tune in and discover how Tabisa is making an impact and paving the way for the next generation of leaders!
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Ms. Tabisa “Tabi” Taliwaku Kalisa currently serves as the Chief of Business Operations
in the Office of Procurement (OP) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa leads a
multidisciplinary team that provides business operations support to the OP executive
leadership and over 780 acquisition professionals across NASA’s 10 centers, executing
a $22 billion annual spend through more than 35,000 actions. Her leadership ensures
operational excellence and alignment with the NASA OP mission and vision.
Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa previously served as the inaugural OP Executive Officer from 2021
to 2022, providing strategic guidance to NASA’s Senior Procurement Executive (SPE),
Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, and Assistant Administrator for Procurement. In this
role, she led the execution of high-priority initiatives and advanced matters of special
interest to the SPE, translating complex priorities into targeted strategies that supported
NASA’s overarching mission. Since joining the Office of Procurement in 2019, she has
spearheaded the development of the OP communications strategy, significantly
enhancing the visibility and influence of the OP brand. In 2021, while also serving as the
Communications Manager, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa was appointed as the NASA Industry
Liaison to the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
In this dual capacity, she elevated the agency’s standing through strategic partnerships,
stakeholder engagement, and effective advocacy.
Since 2010, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa has been a dedicated public servant. From 2010 to
2019, she served in various roles in the NASA Office of Small Business Programs
(OSBP). As Program Manager of OSBP, she managed high-impact programs, including
the Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zones,
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. She also
managed the NASA Mentor-Protégé Program, driving its growth and expanding the
number of eligible protégé categories to the highest in the federal government.
Additionally, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa served as the Outreach Manager and oversaw the
creation of the first small business application, OSBP Mobile, which streamlined
communication and resources for small businesses. Throughout this time, she served
as the Small Business Program Manager for Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight
Research Center, Glenn Research Center, Langley Research Center, and the Kennedy
Space Center.
Before beginning her federal service, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa started her professional
career in Uganda, where she held various roles, culminating as a Financial Controller
for the Pan Africa Insurance Company. After relocating to the United States, she
transitioned to industry supporting the Department of the Army, Office of Small Business
Programs Mentor-Protégé Program. From 2004 to 2006, she served as a Program 2
Analyst in the Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs, where she
supported the Indian Incentive and Mentor-Protégé Programs, in addition to the office
budget.
Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa’s remarkable accomplishments have been honored with two NASA
Exceptional Achievement Medals, the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal, the
NASA Partnerships Award, and with the NASA Headquarters Honor Award, among
others.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Taliwaku Kalisa is a dedicated and proud
“Boy Mom” to her son, Zachary. They reside in Haymarket, VA.
