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Dan Goldin

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  • NASA'S Longest-Tenured Administrator (1992-2001)
  • Founder of Cold Canyon, an Innovation Advisory Company
  • Senior Advisor to Cerberus Capital Management

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During his tenure as NASA’s longest-serving Administrator, The Honorable Dan S. Goldin transformed America’s aeronautics and space program. He is credited with the re-emergence of NASA after the Cold War. Despite lower budgets, his “faster, better, cheaper” approach enabled the Agency to deliver programs of high value to the American public without sacrificing safety. Prior to his tenure at NASA, Mr. Goldin served as a leading national security executive, producing systems of high national priority. As the founder of Cold Canyon, an innovation advisory company, and as a senior advisor to Cerberus Capital Management, his career spans space exploration and science, aeronautics, air traffic management, national security systems, semiconductors, advanced sensors, hypersonic, communications, and artificial intelligence. With his accumulated experience, Mr. Goldin is a highly sought-after leader in advancing American technologies and businesses. Mr. Goldin has recently spoken at SXSW, the Space Symposium, Purdue University, the International Aviation Women’s Association, and many more.

Mr. Goldin is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Astronautical Society, and an Honorary Board Member of the Explorers Club.  Mr. Goldin has received the Goddard Memorial Trophy, the premier award from the National Space Club and Foundation, and the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Space Foundation. Mr. Goldin holds 18 Honorary Doctorates from the world’s great universities. As a deep tech champion, Mr. Goldin brings firsthand expertise to the stage, empowering audiences to navigate and harness cutting-edge technologies for transformative business growth and innovation. 

 


Dan Goldin headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • SXSW
  • Space Symposium
  • Purdue University
  • International Aviation Women’s Association
  • MIT
  • Milken Institute
  • Future Investment Initiative
  • International Museum of Surgical Science
Rave Reviews About Dan Goldin
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Dan Goldin is one of those rare transformational leaders that crosses industries, disciplines, and literally continents. He has no reservations in challenging assumptions and status quo if it means getting to the next level and isn’t that where we all want to be? The next level.

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More rave reviews

"I had the pleasure of hearing Dan Goldin speak when he provided a guest speaker appearance in our online course, Cosmic Opportunities: Technologies for Sustained Presence in Space. Tailored for government officials, business leaders, and space enthusiasts alike, Goldin provided valuable insights into the pressing global security concerns of space. He spoke passionately and with great knowledge of the topic, weaving in relevant examples to underscore his assertions. Notably, Goldin’s discussion on the recent news of Russia's threat to deploy a nuclear weapon in space was both timely and sobering. However, rather than inciting fear, Goldin’s delivery instilled a sense of urgency and empowerment, compelling our audience to action. His ability to navigate such a weighty topic with poise and conviction undoubtedly will leave a lasting impression on all those who take our course."

-Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue

"Dan Goldin stands out as a speaker not just for his storied career but for his ability to deeply engage and enlighten our audience. Dan doesn't just recount history; he provides a critical lens through which we can view space and defense. Listeners gain not only a richer understanding of where we've been but also where we're headed. This is particularly noteworthy given the sophisticated nature of our industry audience."

-Payload Space, Ignition

"Brilliant people often do not make good public speakers. After all, it’s not easy to translate high-level thinking into words that 'regular' people can understand. Dan Goldin is a notable exception. A visionary with more than 60 years of experience in space, defense and aviation, some of it at the highest levels of the U.S. government, Dr. Goldin regularly addresses extremely complicated topics in an articulate, down-to-earth manner, sprinkled with anecdotes that make them even more engaging."

-Aviation Week

"I had the pleasure of inviting, hosting and introducing Dan as a keynote speaker at the annual IAWA conference gala. Dan enthusiastically provided insightful and thought provoking remarks on some additional ways that we can further foster innovation, and the important roles and opportunities women have in the second century of the aerospace industry. The International Aviation Womens Association provides a forum to share views on matters of importance to the industry, as well as to women in general and will play an influential role in the future of the industry."

-AE Industrial Partners
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Dan Goldin for the Space Symposium - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Dan Goldin
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Space-Tested Principles to Achieve the Impossible

Insights from NASA’s longest-serving Administrator DAN GOLDIN's 60-year career, journeying through case studies of pioneering space tech. This compendium distills decades into insights for deep tech entrepreneurs. A treasure trove of wisdom beyond Earth's atmosphere, providing a toolkit for pushing ...

Insights from NASA’s longest-serving Administrator DAN GOLDIN's 60-year career, journeying through case studies of pioneering space tech. This compendium distills decades into insights for deep tech entrepreneurs. A treasure trove of wisdom beyond Earth's atmosphere, providing a toolkit for pushing boundaries.

Sensible Paths to Using AI to Unleash a Deep Tech Revolution

Slicing through the AI hype with a razor-sharp critique, DAN GOLDIN offers a no-nonsense guide for harnessing AI's raw power to fuel genuine technological upheaval. It's a manifesto for the discerning innovator, challenging the status quo and revealing how strategic AI will change the future. ...

Slicing through the AI hype with a razor-sharp critique, DAN GOLDIN offers a no-nonsense guide for harnessing AI's raw power to fuel genuine technological upheaval. It's a manifesto for the discerning innovator, challenging the status quo and revealing how strategic AI will change the future.

How to Get Hard Things Done in Under 10 Years, Not Decades

DAN GOLDIN revisits Apollo's swift triumph, debunking the myth that grand achievements demand endless timelines. A roadmap for today's pioneers, Mr. Goldin’s insights offer a masterclass in innovation acceleration, showcasing strategic foresight and collaboration. ...

DAN GOLDIN revisits Apollo's swift triumph, debunking the myth that grand achievements demand endless timelines. A roadmap for today's pioneers, Mr. Goldin’s insights offer a masterclass in innovation acceleration, showcasing strategic foresight and collaboration.

Accelerating Astrophysics in the 21st Century

Through DAN GOLDIN's 60-year career, this theme showcases strategic vision and innovation accelerating discovery, paving the way for next-gen space observatories. Goldin's legacy inspires daring dreams within constraints. ...

Through DAN GOLDIN's 60-year career, this theme showcases strategic vision and innovation accelerating discovery, paving the way for next-gen space observatories. Goldin's legacy inspires daring dreams within constraints.

Technological Needs in National Security

In an era where tech defines security, DAN GOLDIN's analysis opens audiences' eyes to the defense sector's critical needs and challenges. Drawing from studies, it outlines the pivotal role of advanced tech, from cyber defense to surveillance, essential for a strategic edge. Serving as a roadmap for ...

In an era where tech defines security, DAN GOLDIN's analysis opens audiences' eyes to the defense sector's critical needs and challenges. Drawing from studies, it outlines the pivotal role of advanced tech, from cyber defense to surveillance, essential for a strategic edge. Serving as a roadmap for policymakers, Mr. Goldin provides his perspective on advancing critical technologies that enable us to explore, thrive, and sleep safely at night.

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Speaker News

NASA Administrator Dan Goldin has cross-sector experience

NASA’s longest-serving Administrator DAN GOLDIN's experience leading a major government agency through significant technological advancements and challenges provides valuable lessons in leadership, management, and strategic planning. As the founder of Cold Canyon, an innovation advisory company, and as a senior advisor to Cerberus Capital Management, his career spans space exploration and science, aeronautics, air traffic management, national security systems, semiconductors, advanced sensors, hypersonic, communications, and artificial intelligence. With a wealth of stories and experiences from his time at NASA and beyond, Mr. Goldin can captivate audiences, making complex topics accessible and engaging.

Watch Dan Goldin's keynote at the Space Symposium >>

Watch Dan Goldin in conversation with Payload >>

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Press & Media
Former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin Joins Accion Systems' Board of Directors - PR Newswire
Will NASA Use Nuclear Propulsion For Faster Crewed Mission Transport? - Aviation Week
Keep 5G Safe From Chinese Domination - Wall Street Journal
Recalculating: GPS, L-band and the Pentagon’s untenable position on 5G - C4ISRNET
Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue Hosts Inaugural Tech Freedom Awards - Business Wire
Bolder than Webb? ‘You’ll never know unless you go!’ - Aerospace America
Podcast: On Its 25th Birthday, Was The International Space Station Worth It? - Aviation Week
Live from Austin, with Dan Goldin (Former NASA Administrator) [podcast] - Payload
Monetising AI is new space frontier - LinkedIn
Space industry races to put AI in orbit - Axios
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Ideas for the Meeting Planner
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Biography

The Honorable Daniel S. Goldin is an entrepreneurial and scientific visionary, with the distinction of serving as NASA’s longest-tenured Administrator from April 1992-November 2001 reporting to three U.S. Presidents. He is credited with the re-emergence of NASA after the Cold War, as he diplomatically fostered east-west international cooperation and oversaw the redesign, construction, and initial operation of the $120B International Space Station, as well as guided the initial concept of the James Webb Space Telescope to assure it would see back to the beginnings of creation. As the founder of Cold Canyon, an innovation advisory company, and as a senior advisor to Cerberus Capital Management, his career spans space exploration and science, aeronautics, air traffic management, national security systems, semiconductors, advanced sensors, hypersonic, communications, and artificial intelligence. With his accumulated experience, Mr. Goldin is a highly sought-after leader in advancing American technologies and businesses. 

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