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Sian Proctor is an inspiring trailblazer, educator, and astronaut who has become a sought-after female motivational speaker for audiences around the world. Best known for making history in 2021 as the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft, she took part in SpaceX’s ground-breaking Inspiration4 mission — the first all-civilian journey into space. Her story is one of resilience, curiosity, and breaking barriers, making her an exceptional choice for events seeking a speaker who can ignite ambition and spark confidence. Sian’s blend of scientific expertise, pioneering achievements, and passion for education resonates deeply with audiences from corporate teams to students.
Her career began with a strong academic foundation, earning a BSc in Environmental Science at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, followed by a master’s degree in Geology and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction: Science Education from Arizona State University. She first stepped into education as a Geology Field School Graduate Teaching Assistant, a role that paved the way for over two decades as a Geoscience and Sustainability Professor at South Mountain Community College. Recognised for her exceptional teaching ability, she received the NISOD Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010–2011. Alongside her academic career, she cultivated her passion for exploration through roles with NASA, the National Science Foundation, and various research and outreach projects, all of which prepared her for her eventual leap into space.
In recent years, Sian has built an extraordinary portfolio of achievements. In addition to her historic Inspiration4 mission, she has completed four analogue astronaut missions, simulating life on Mars and the Moon in challenging, isolated environments. Her accomplishments have been recognised widely, including a front cover feature on Time magazine in 2021, an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2022, and an appointment to the National Space Council’s User Advisory Group the same year. Her leadership roles — from CEO of Flight Ready Systems to Vice President of Education for Star Harbor — demonstrate her commitment to advancing science, technology, and human spaceflight.
Event organisers hire Sian because she embodies what it means to dream big and act boldly. She draws on her rich experiences as a scientist, educator, and astronaut to deliver engaging, relatable, and deeply motivating talks. Whether discussing innovation, overcoming obstacles, or embracing change, she inspires audiences to see themselves as explorers in their own lives, ready to take their next giant leap.
Dr Sian Proctor is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Dr Sian Proctor has presented at Scottsdale Community College’s TechTalks event on three occasions. Her presentations are engaging and always well-aligned with the theme of our event. Dr Proctor has a strong stage presence and is relatable to a wide array of audiences from students, to teachers, to scientists, she is able to pique their interest, hold their attention and inspire them.”
“Sian has made such an impact on our program in such a short amount of time! My students, age 50+, immediately fell in love with her presentation style and personality and they could not get enough of her classes. She is intelligent and motivational; she makes learning fun at any age. Aside from her excellent teaching skills, she is a pleasure to work with before and after the event. She responds quickly to all correspondence during the planning stages, arrives early for class, and is prepared with informative and well-thought-out discussion topics. I will hire her again and again!”
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