Chandra Donelson is a leader whose work spans the highest levels of government and the pages of children’s books. As the Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the United States Space Force, Donelson is driving the future of data and AI with purpose. Beyond her role in shaping national defense strategy, she champions creativity and accessibility, including through her books The Data Detective at the Carnival and The Data Detective at the Airport, which introduces kids to the wonder of data in everyday life. The RECF is honored to collaborate with Donelson as she brings her expertise, advocacy, and storytelling to spark curiosity and prepare the next generation for a data-driven world.
Your leadership blends service across multiple branches of our government with STEM advocacy. What lessons from defense, such as discipline, data ethics, or mission-first thinking, translate most powerfully to robotics and STEM education?
The biggest lesson is mission-first thinking. In defense, every decision is tied to protecting lives, and that same clarity applies in STEM: keep the mission front and center, whether it’s solving a coding challenge or designing a robot. When students learn to anchor their creativity in purpose, their work becomes unstoppable.
You wrote The Data Detective at the Carnival, bringing data literacy to young readers through storytelling. How did writing and sharing this book shape your perspective on the importance of introducing STEM concepts to students early?
As a mom, I firmly believe that teaching children about data at an early age is crucial. Our kids are growing up in a world flooded with information. Think about it: every time they ask Alexa a question, go to the crafting table in Minecraft, or watch a YouTube video recommended “just for them,” they’re interacting with data-driven systems. So, the question isn’t if they’ll use data. It’s when we’ll start teaching them how to read, write, analyze, communicate, and reason with data effectively from where they are.
With your background in data and AI, how do you see robotics shaping the future of problem-solving, whether in space exploration, defense, or everyday life?
Robotics will play a central role in solving the problems of the future. Whether it’s sending a rover into space, protecting our families here on Earth, or simply making the small things in life easier, robots will be an integral part of the story. What excites me most is that young people learning robotics today are really preparing themselves to tackle the most challenging problems of tomorrow.
What is the most exciting adventure you’ve had because of your work in STEM?
The most exciting adventure was visiting a rocket-building facility and watching firsthand how rockets are assembled, and seeing the incredible teamwork that goes into making them.
If you had a STEM “superpower” such as instantly solving any puzzle or building anything in seconds, what would it be?
I love solving problems, so I’d choose Cognitive Max, which allows me to tap into 100% of my brain, enabling me to solve problems faster.
