Nichole Pinkney

Nichole began her career at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) 25 years ago as an intern in the Cooperative Education Program in the Procurement Pricing Branch.  After graduating from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 1992, Nichole accepted a position as a Contract Specialist in the Institutional Procurement Office.  As a Contract Specialist, Nichole administered and awarded multi-million dollar institutional and project support services contracts.  In 1997, Nichole made a major career transition into the Office of Human Capital Management.  Nichole is currently the Chief for the Talent Cultivation Office.  As the Chief, Nichole leads and manages a team of expert Learning and Development Consultants in providing integrated strategies to develop and retain a vital and effective workforce that best aligns with NASA’s Vision.
 
Nichole has worked on developing and launching a number of innovative, transformative learning and development initiatives within the Agency that have frequently been benchmarked by other Federal Agencies. She played an instrumental role in establishing the Goddard Mentoring, New Employee Orientation, Onboarding, Career Development, and Leadership Development Programs, as well as made significant contributions to the developing the Agency’s first Business Coaching Strategy. Her most valued contributions have been leading and transforming a learning and development function that had existed for over five decades, into best in class program that is routinely sought out by clients, key stakeholders, and NASA, Federal, and Industry partners and playing an instrumental role in the NASA GSFC’s Office of Human Capital Management Organization shifting from being a transactional to a strategic business partner that has a “seat at the table.”

Nichole is devoted to helping others discover their passion for living and finding happiness within the environment that surrounds them.  She actively participates in the mentoring and coaching process.  Nichole uses her gifts and talents to inspire and help others recognize and reach their full performance potential through personal mission development, goal setting, identifying gaps and employee development strategies. 

Nichole’s credentials include a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development and a B.A. in Economics.  Nichole is also qualified to facilitate the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Assessment, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and Achieve Global Training Programs.

Nichole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, visiting art exhibits, going to the movies, jazz music, photography, traveling, physical exercise, and working on community development projects with her sorority.