Bio Nebraska and Nebraska Cures announced today that NASA astronaut Colonel Eileen Collins will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Nebraska Women in STEM Conference. The conference will be held March 26 and 27, 2026, at Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista, Neb.
“We are thrilled to have Col. Eileen Collins join us for our fourth annual conference,” said Nebraska Cures Executive Director Amanda McGill Johnson. “Col. Collins will share her encouraging perspective and insight on the leadership skills needed to break barriers and become a successful pioneer in your field.”
One of America’s most admired women, Col. Collins became the first female to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight in 1995, and the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia shuttle flight. In 2005, NASA tapped Col. Collins to command the space shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight” mission, NASA’s first piloted flight following the loss of space shuttle Columbia in 2003.
While logging 872 hours in space, Col. Collins earned a reputation for coolness under pressure. With that same calm demeanor, she shares how her career as an astronaut took shape, from her early years in the U.S. Air Force to her ground-breaking experience with NASA. Her memoir, Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars, was published in 2021.
In addition to the keynote address from Col. Collins, the conference schedule will feature opportunities for women to develop their personal and professional identity, as well as build networks of support to help them achieve their goals.
“Every year, the Nebraska Women in STEM Conference grows. We’ve fostered an inspiring, fun and encouraging environment where women and allies feel supported and heard,” said McGill Johnson.
Conference sponsorships are available here. Conference registration will open in September. Early-bird registration will be $200 and run until December 31. Starting January 1, 2026, registration will be $250.