Karen Jones

Karen L. Jones is a senior project leader in the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, she works as a space economist and technology strategist, analyzing market trends and technologies that impact government missions, commercial space activities, and adjacent markets and infrastructure. In addition to developing policy papers and issue briefs, she has managed a variety of projects, including federal research grants, internal R&D projects, market assessments for new space capabilities (including remote sensing and communications), new space architectures for government customers, and portfolio management strategies for R&D and new investments.

Prior to joining Aerospace, Jones worked as a management consultant for IBM Global Services focusing on the telecommunications industry, and later e-business strategy for commercial companies and the federal sector. Prior to IBM, Jones joined a team at SRI International to commercialize a voice recognition technology based on artificial intelligence, which would later evolve into Apple’s virtual assistant, SIRI. Jones also worked as a management consultant with Arthur D. Little where she focused on international privatization projects, technology assessments and commercialization strategies, environmental consulting, and risk management.  

Jones has broad industry experience as a project manager and technology strategy consultant for diverse industries, including space and satellites; remote sensing; information technology; telecommunications; wireless technologies; environmental technology and services; oil and gas; and renewable energy. Jones specializes in technology strategy and policy, including technology assessments, portfolio management, economic and policy analysis, technology commercialization, regulatory impact analysis, and competitive strategy and market assessments. She is well versed in strategic approaches such as technology road mapping, benchmarking, value nets, gap analysis, lifecycle analysis, COTS assessments, total cost of ownership, analysis of alternatives, business process management, and risk management. 

Jones has recently published papers addressing game-changing technologies, space sector public-private partnerships, technology portfolio management, the Arctic infrastructure gap, space-based solar power, and space and airborne remote sensing to support climate change initiatives. 

Jones has a solid understanding and experience across the federal government landscape – including the Intelligence Community, NASA, White House – Office of Science and Technology Policy, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Department of State, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

EDUCATION

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Louisiana State University and a master’s in business administration from Yale University. 

AWARDS AND HONORS

Jones has earned several individual and team awards while at Aerospace. She received similar awards while at IBM and Arthur D. Little.