A seasoned engineering leader who developed strategies for missions to Mars and pioneered clean energy solutions on Earth, Maggie Scholtz is now bringing her purpose-defined strategy development to the social sector. Drawing from her extensive experience at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and as a co-founder and VP of Engineering of the strategic consulting and clean tech company First Mode, she is helping non-profit, government, and other mission-driven organizations grow the effectiveness of their impact by applying a rigorous, problem-solving approach to their greatest challenges.

Throughout her career, from developing drilling systems for the Mars Curiosity Rover to building a team that developed a 2MW hydrogen-powered haul truck to decarbonize the mining industry, Scholtz has honed a "systems engineering approach." This methodology begins with a deep, first-principles understanding of the core problem to architect a comprehensive and effective solution. This problem-first mindset proved instrumental in solving some of the most complex technical challenges on and off the planet.

Now, Scholtz is translating this powerful framework to engineer lasting social change. Guided by the belief that her work should solve important problems for humanity, she equips social sector organizations with the strategic tools to navigate complexity, optimize resources, and ultimately, deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes. Her unique background offers a fresh perspective on how to architect a better future and empower those dedicated to creating it.

Her commitment to building a better future extends into her volunteer work. In Los Angeles, she spent multiple years running the regional FIRST Tech Challenge competitions, dramatically expanding its reach from supporting 12 high school teams to over 100. Today, her community focus continues in Seattle, where she serves on the board of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). In her spare time, Maggie embraces the trial-and-error learning loop that comes from cooking new foods and growing a vegetable garden, and loves spending time with her husband and dog while day hiking through the Issaquah Alps and Cascades.