In a news release today, Axiom Space has announced the appointment of Normanique Preston as the Vice President of People and Culture. The role will see Preston shaping the company’s people strategy, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving employee engagement and development. As an integral member of the executive management team, she will be responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to support Axiom Space’s ambitious goals.
Matt Ondler, President of Axiom Space, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointment. “We are thrilled to welcome Normanique to Axiom Space as our first-ever vice president of people and culture,” said Ondler. “Her proven track record in fostering a positive work environment and driving diversity and inclusion initiatives aligns perfectly with our vision to build a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. Normanique’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping a culture of collaboration and empowerment, ensuring our team reaches new heights as we expand humanity’s footprint in low-Earth orbit.”
Preston brings over two decades of experience in the energy industry, where she has managed a wide range of human resources functions. Most recently, she served as the chief human resources and diversity officer at Cleco. She joined Cleco in 2018 as the vice president of human resources. During her tenure, Preston spearheaded the creation of a diversity and inclusion (D&I) council and introduced the Power of a Promise Scholarship Program. This initiative, in partnership with a local community college, supports economically disadvantaged female and minority students in pursuing higher education. Additionally, Preston oversaw corporate communications, talent acquisition, learning and organizational development, workforce planning, labor relations, and payroll at Cleco.
“I am honored to join Axiom Space as the vice president of people and culture,” said Preston. “My passion lies in ensuring an inclusive and thriving work environment where employees can excel. Together, we will shape a culture that emboldens our team, where everyone can achieve their full potential.”
Prior to her role at Cleco, Preston was the vice president of human resources at Dynegy. She also served as a strategic human resources business partner at Williams Companies Gas Pipeline Transco division until 2003, with further roles at Williams Companies Communication Solutions division, Chase, Blockbuster, and Xerox.
Preston’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge and completion of the executive management program at Rice University in Houston.
Preston’s extensive experience and leadership in human resources will be invaluable as Axiom Space continues to promote a collaborative and positive workforce dedicated to expanding access to space.
Axiom Space’s work calendar is full, as the company is currently involved in several high-profile contracts with NASA. Axiom’s current projects include building the Axiom One Space Station, which, as the world’s first commercial station, will eventually replace the ISS. Additionally, Axiom is working on the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit as part of the Artemis program. The suit size-adjustable suit will allow astronauts to live and work long-term in the lunar environment.
Axiom also currently provides Commercial Crew services in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA, allowing foreign national and private astronauts to travel to the ISS to conduct scientific research.
Additionally, Axiom is developing an Orbital Data Center and will begin testing the new technology on the ISS later this year.
