About Sheila Xu
Sheila is an oral and signing Deaf woman who aspires to be a deaf astronaut. She is currently a dual-degree public policy and business administration student at Harvard and Wharton, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After making history as one of the first deaf commercial analog astronaut trainees and first deaf Asian female pilot, she’s on a mission to champion for inclusion of astronauts with disabilities in human space exploration missions. With a rich background that intersects STEM, disability, policy, technology, and business, Sheila is a fierce advocate for the inclusion and recognition of the leadership potential and talents of the deaf and hard-of-hearing people and people with disabilities in all spheres of lives.
Speaking Topics
- Accessible Space For All: Venture into the heart of space exploration with a unique perspective that champions inclusivity and accessibility for all. Join Sheila as she highlights the critical importance of making human spaceflight and exploration accessible to diverse populations, including people with disabilities. Drawing from groundbreaking initiatives like AstroAccess and leveraging insights from the space sector on the benefits of human space exploration, she delves into why space should be seen as a domain for everyone. Learn about her aspirational journey towards becoming a deaf astronaut, weaving personal experiences with the broader vision of space exploration’s benefits for humanity.
Sheila illustrates how embracing accessibility in the space sector (and any industries) can spur technological and societal advancements. She would like to invite leaders and teams to explore how lessons from space can catalyze a culture of innovation and inclusion, where designing for accessibility drives success and ensures that the future—both in space and on Earth—is built for everyone.
- Redefining Leadership: The Deaf Perspective: In a world where leadership is often measured by one’s ability to be heard, how do those who communicate differently make their impact? Sheila delves into the untapped leadership potential within the deaf and disabled communities, challenging the prevailing stereotypes that frequently overlook their capabilities. Drawing from her personal leadership challenges and research, she unveils the unique ways in which deaf individuals and people with disabilities lead and inspire change. Sheila is eager to share stories, including a memorable week spent on a 42-foot sailboat in the British Virgin Islands. Accompanied by six hearing individuals unfamiliar with sign language, and faced with limited supplies and resources without making landfall for the whole week, she assumed the captain’s role for a day. This experience highlighted the challenges and triumphs of being a deaf leader guiding a team of non-signers through a highly-demanding situation. Join Sheila as she shares her perspective on leadership.
- Grits and Gumption: In the face of adversity, it’s not the loudest voice but often the most persistent that forges paths of change. Deaf individuals and those with disabilities navigate a world filled with unique challenges that test their resilience daily. From the fundamental barrier of lack of awareness to difficulties in accessing needed services and facing social isolation, these challenges demand extraordinary levels of grit and gumption. Sheila’s story of enduring a grueling 1.5 days of Marines basic training at Quantico, VA, as part of her leadership development training through her graduate school program highlights this example of grits and gumption. As the first and only deaf participant, she demonstrates extraordinary determination, not just meeting but exceeding the expectations of both her hearing peers and drill instructors. Through her experience and stories from the deaf and disabled communities, we gain valuable insights into the resilience that defines and unites us as humans.
Videos of Sheila Xu
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