Mike Leinbach, a name synonymous with resilience and innovation in the annals of NASA, has made indelible contributions to the space program. Renowned for his blend of technical expertise and exceptional human empathy, Leinbach’s journey in NASA is a narrative of groundbreaking achievements and critical learnings, especially during tumultuous times like the Columbia disaster. His human-centric approach to leadership fostered a culture of safety, transparency, and compassion, reshaping NASA’s operational ethos to strike a delicate balance between bold innovation and uncompromising safety.