Janet Grondin : Reaching the High Ground

We often think of groundbreaking innovation in terms of technology, spreadsheets, and complex engineering. But what happens when humanity's most ambitious moonshots—literally reaching for the stars and returning to the moon—depend entirely on the subtle, daily interactions of human connection and moral courage?

In this powerful episode, Chris Schembra sits down with Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions and former U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Janet shares her journey from a small town in Iowa to directing teams of top engineers and advisors on humanity’s most critical space and defense missions, including NASA's Artemis program. Together, they explore the tragedy that shaped her childhood, how to lead with moral courage through delayed gratification, why true leadership means helping every employee find their "dream job," and why human vision—not AI—will always be the ultimate driver of high-ground innovation.

10 Memorable Quotes

"You won't survive in our business if you don't work hard and have a solid ethical foundation." — Janet Grondin

"When you do see someone who could use a hand, reach out and take action. Don't walk by that problem." — Janet Grondin

"For you to operate maritime, terrestrial forces, really hold your nation secure, you do need the high ground of space." — Janet Grondin

"Processes don't build systems. Paper doesn't build systems... People build systems. People have visions." — Janet Grondin

"Very subtle, small human interactions can have outsized impact on the mission." — Janet Grondin

"If leadership is lonely, you’re doing it wrong." — Janet Grondin

"Mission success is paramount. People are paramount." — Janet Grondin

"The connection is through the question, and then you have to be ready for the answer because it's not always the answer you want." — Janet Grondin