Captain Christopher J. Cassidy, USN (Ret.) is a decorated Navy SEAL, accomplished NASA astronaut, and national civic leader whose career spans elite military operations, pioneering space exploration, and institution-building of lasting significance.
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CAPT Cassidy’s talks explore the habits of effective leaders and how they can motivate their teams to overcome the obstacles in front of them, foster a high-performing culture of trust, and thrive in clutch moments when everything is on the line. With a talent for storytelling and well-timed humor, he shares his inspiring journey from the U.S. Naval Academy to becoming NASA’s 15th Chief Astronaut — motivating audiences to develop a never-quit mindset to accomplish their goals, and help others along the way.
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Keynote Speaker
Captain Chris Cassidy
NASA Astronaut,
U.S. Navy Seal
Sponsored by ACT 1
Biography
Cassidy served 11 years in the SEAL Teams before his selection as a NASA astronaut in 2004. A combat-proven leader, he graduated as Honor Man of BUD/S Class 192 and earned two Bronze Stars—including one with Combat “V”—as well as a Presidential Unit Citation for commanding a high-profile mission along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border in the aftermath of 9/11. His military decorations also include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Legion of Merit, recognizing exceptional leadership at the highest levels of joint and naval service.
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Over three spaceflights, Cassidy spent 377 days in orbit and completed 10 spacewalks, flying aboard both the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Russian Soyuz. He launched for his final six-month mission in 2020 at the onset of the global pandemic. From 2015 to 2017, he served as NASA’s 14th Chief Astronaut, overseeing astronaut training, crew assignments, and operations during a period of major organizational change. Cassidy is a 1993 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree in ocean engineering from MIT in 2000. He also holds honorary doctorates from Husson University (2015) and the University of Maine at Augusta (2021).
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In 2021, Cassidy became President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, where he led the successful effort to build the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, and launch a national leadership institute and monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. His leadership united bipartisan support and secured the funding to bring the vision to life.
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Cassidy’s contributions have been recognized with some of the nation’s highest honors, including NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal (twice), the Great American Patriot Award, and the Living Legends of Aviation Award, and selection as a Distinguished Graduate Awardee of the U.S. Naval Academy.