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award winning scientist, lawyer & educator, speaker
Resilience Expert, Space Industry Leader, and Author of The Launchpad Effect
Kim Ellis Hayes is a resilience expert, space industry leader, and the inspiring author of The Launchpad Effect: Career Reboot! From a devastating job loss to becoming a Commercial Astronaut Candidate and award-winning scientist, educator & innovator, Kim’s journey exemplifies the power of reinvention. Kim is a sought-after speaker for audiences seeking to overcome setbacks and achieve extraordinary goals.
In 2008, Kim faced a life-altering redundancy from her role as a research scientist at BHP-Billiton in Newcastle, Australia, just as she was re-entering the workforce after years as a stay-at-home mum. As the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, she had been thrilled to secure a permanent position—until a company restructure ended the role abruptly. Facing a tough job market, gender biases as a mother, and criticism from her partner, Kim turned a pivotal question—“What would you do if you could do anything?”—into her launchpad, answering, “Rocket Scientist,” and setting the course for an extraordinary career.
Today, Kim is a Scientist & International Attorney, specialising in Aerospace Compliance for cross border research & space operation, and has completed Spaceflight training as a researcher for the POSSUM research program (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) . As Swinburne University’s Program Manager for undergraduate Space Education, Kim led the design and development of Australia’s first multidisciplinary space education program and is an Associate Professor in Space Research & Law. An award-winning leader and the CEO of Hayes Group LLC, a US small business, Kim works on developing adaptive compliance frameworks for international space research. Her book, The Launchpad Effect, offers a practical mission plan for anyone facing career setbacks or dreaming of bold new paths.
Kim’s keynotes and workshops blend inspiration with actionable strategies, drawing on her journey of overcoming adversity, breaking barriers as a woman in STEM, and leading in the space sector. She speaks globally on resilience, career reinvention, leadership, and the future of space, captivating audiences from corporate teams to academic institutions and space enthusiasts. Kim’s story of turning rock bottom into a stellar career resonates deeply, making her a dynamic speaker who motivates others to build their own launchpads to success.
Note: Pictured in Final Frontier Design IVA Spacesuit at FIT
keynote speaker, workshop development /presentation, consulting, coaching and leadership training en
Keynote/workshop Topics - Kim Ellis Hayes
From Redundancy to Rocket Science: Igniting the Future of STEM Innovation
Kim shares her journey from a devastating job loss to becoming a space industry leader and astronaut candidate, offering actionable strategies to overcome setbacks, foster resilience, and drive innovation in science and technology.
Building Your Launchpad: Turning Setbacks into Stellar Success
Drawing on her book The Launchpad Effect, Kim inspires audiences to transform career challenges into opportunities, sharing the mindset and tools that propelled her from redundancy to pioneering Australia’s first multidisciplinary space education program, perfect for professionals facing uncertainty.
The Explorer’s Mindset: How to Thrive in Uncharted Career Territory
Kim’s adventures—hiking the Inca Trail, serving in the Australian Army Reserve, and pivoting from mining to space—inform this dynamic talk on embracing fear, taking risks, and charting bold new paths, ideal for audiences seeking inspiration to reinvent their careers.
Leadership Beyond the Stars: Lessons from the Space Industry
Kim reveals how her experiences in the high-stakes space sector—training as a commercial astronaut, leading space education and compliance for innovative space research programs at multiple Universities—translates into powerful leadership lessons for corporate teams, emphasizing adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and visionary thinking.
Space Law - It's not Rocket Science (or is it?)
Ever wondered about what a Space Lawyer actually does? Did you know that this specialist category of lawyers existed worldwide? In this fascinating talk, Kim will take you on a journey around the world from the United Nations, to the launchpad, to the in's and out's of sending human teeth, mushrooms, seeds and yoghurt into orbit on the International Space Station and beyond. Answering the question; why do we need lawyers in space and why a rocket scientist just won't do!
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Let's elevate the conversation together!
The topics outlined are just to start the conversation. They are designed to appeal to a variety of audiences while leveraging Kim's unique journey, expertise in STEM, space industry leadership, and career transformation insights. They convey universal themes like resilience, leadership, and innovation, with a focus on Kim’s inspiring story and actionable takeaways.
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