Mastering Calculated Risks And The Art Of The Possible With Suzi McBride

What happens when calculated risks pay off? You’re about to find out! This week, we welcome ‘satellite queen’, Suzi McBride, a true powerhouse and leading figure in the industry. As the COO and board member at Iridium, Suzi brings a wealth of technical expertise, having started her career building satellites at Motorola and making significant waves ever since. Join us as Suzi discusses her transition from management consultant to a prominent leader in the satellite world, sharing how her early passion for math and science, influential experiences in shop class, and initial consulting work paved the way for her extraordinary career.

Suzi reflects on her bold and pivotal decision to join Motorola's satellite program. She explores the unique challenges and triumphs she encountered as a woman in engineering and leadership roles and offers valuable insights into prioritizing quality over speed in aerospace, especially for long-term satellite missions. She unpacks the calculated risks she embraced and the innovative strategies that drove her success, including a critical partnership with SpaceX. Suzi also discusses the balance between innovative technology and solid business cases, and addresses the generational dynamics within the workforce today. Further key points throughout include:

• Finding the perfect passion fit in a Motorola-sponsored master's program
• The impact of supportive role models in male-dominated spaces
• Working for Motorola’s iridium program and the challenge of building a satellite a week
• Collaborating across cultures: Motorola's partnership with Lockheed and Raytheon
• The power of a badgeless environment: Fostering teamwork and smart trades for success
• Comparing wireless networks and aerospace: Key differences in industry dynamics
• Calculated career risks: Joining Iridium amid company’s financial struggles
• Taking a bold leap with Space X
• How analyzing worst-case scenarios can make risk-taking less intimidating
• Balancing Innovation with Business Viability: The importance of ongoing market snalysis
• The Rebelle Rally: The role of reliable technology in extreme conditions
• Navigating gender and generational shifts in the space industry

"You've got to have a business case, that the product's going to sell, you're going to sell to the right markets and you're going to know how to get in there, because cool technology is just cool technology if it's not growing the business." –  Suzi McBride

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