Selina Salgado: Transforming NASA’s HR with Digital Innovation

In the ever-evolving world of Digital Transformation (DT), the emphasis often falls on technological advancements and cutting-edge innovations. However, behind every successful DT initiative lies a critical, yet frequently underestimated aspect: the human element. Selina Salgado, a Human Resource Business Partner at NASA Headquarters, exemplifies this crucial facet of DT through her dedication to enhancing interpersonal connections, fostering community, and championing digital upskilling.

Selina's journey at NASA began in 2019 as a Pathways intern. Her role as a mentoring coordinator for Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) marked the inception of her DT journey. During her tenure at MSFC, Selina spearheaded the development of an all-in-one automated system for job postings, a transformative tool that significantly reduced the agency’s time-to-hire and boosted visibility for open positions. This initial success laid the groundwork for her ongoing efforts to leverage technology to improve HR processes across NASA.

Currently part of the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), Selina and her team adhere to an 80-20 mentality, crafting tools and solutions that strike a balance between broad interoperability and specific customization. This approach ensures that their digital tools serve a wide range of organizational needs while still accommodating unique scenarios. Her ambition extends to enhancing inclusive teaming across NASA, making HR tools more accessible and interoperable across various centers.

Beyond her technical contributions, Selina is deeply invested in helping others understand and embrace digital transformation. In collaboration with Jess Deibert, the DT Digital Academy Lead, Selina co-created the Transformation Tips (TxTips) series. This initiative, which features tech-related tips from NASA employees, quickly gained traction, leading to requests for presentations from other NASA offices, including the Office of STEM Engagement. The series has become a vital resource for employees seeking practical guidance on integrating digital tools into their daily work.

Selina’s recent involvement in NASA’s Summer of AI upskilling campaign highlights her role as a key contributor to the agency’s digital initiatives. Her self-taught development skills have led to the creation of several tools and applications designed to streamline collaboration and data collection across the agency. Utilizing PowerApps, Power Automate, and Power BI integrated with SharePoint, Selina developed a dashboard that aids the Agency Chief AI Officer in briefing the Administrator on impact metrics from the Summer of AI campaign. Her creative flair was further demonstrated through the organization of the agency’s inaugural “Battle of the Bots” event, which saw unprecedented engagement. This Reddit-style “Ask Me Anything” event, featuring a showdown between ChatGPT and Microsoft CoPilot, provided employees with insights into large language models and became the most engaged asynchronous event of the campaign.

Selina’s educational background, including a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on human resource management and a master’s degree in education and student affairs, aligns seamlessly with her emphasis on connectivity and collaboration. Her interest in NASA’s internship and mentorship programs stemmed from her passion for fostering relationships and building networks. This connection-focused approach is central to her philosophy of Digital Transformation: “If you run into an issue, there’s a community of practice out there for you to reach out to and engage with…to build that network with other employees that are interested in and passionate about transformation.”

A significant influence on Selina’s approach to DT is her military background. Having grown up in a military household and served in the Navy, she brings a culture of efficiency and problem-solving to her work. “What drives my passion for processes and systems is that it’s transferrable to somebody else…I need to be able to pass that on to the next person,” Selina explains. Her enthusiasm for learning new tools and establishing procedures reflects her commitment to not only solving problems but also empowering others to build upon her work.

Selina’s achievements as a Digital Transformer underscore a powerful message: Digital Transformation is for everyone. “You don’t have to be in IT, you don’t have to have that background or technical [ability],” she asserts. “I mean, I’m in HR. Any field at NASA can utilize the digital landscape and digital transformation. Those principles and resources are available for everybody.”

Through her innovative solutions, commitment to community-building, and dedication to digital upskilling, Selina Salgado exemplifies the essence of Digital Transformation. Her work not only enhances HR processes but also inspires a broader understanding of how digital tools can be harnessed across diverse fields. Selina’s journey is a testament to the power of blending technology with a human-centered approach, making a significant impact on NASA and beyond.