Early Life & Overcoming Adversity
Tinesha Ross’s journey begins with a story of resilience. Raised in Fairfield, Alabama, she faced unimaginable challenges early on, growing up in poverty and surviving the tragic loss of her mother in a fire at just nine years old. Despite these hardships, Tinesha never let her circumstances define her. With the love and support of her aunt and uncle, she found the strength to push through adversity and focus on her future, setting the stage for an extraordinary life.
Discovering Her Passion for STEM
From a young age, Tinesha’s brilliance in science and engineering began to shine. Her love for technology led her to excel academically, earning multiple degrees in electrical engineering and computer information systems. This early passion for STEM would soon catapult her into a groundbreaking career, proving that determination and hard work could overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
Career Highlights & Accomplishments
Tinesha’s career in aerospace engineering is nothing short of remarkable. She has worked with some of the most significant projects in the industry, including being instrumental in launching the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. As Senior Manager of Engineering Operations at United Launch Alliance, Tinesha is a leader who continues to break barriers, earning accolades such as the 2018 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Colorado and being named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by The Denver Business Journal.
Speaking & Leadership
Tinesha’s story isn’t just about personal success—it’s about giving back. As a captivating speaker, she inspires audiences across the country to dream big, regardless of their circumstances. Whether speaking to students, corporate teams, or community groups, Tinesha empowers people to believe in their potential and pursue their goals with passion and determination. Her leadership extends beyond the workplace, touching the lives of everyone she speaks to.
Personal Life & Continued Impact
Beyond her career, Tinesha remains deeply committed to her family and community. She is the proud mother of her son, Chris, who shares her love of music as a talented percussionist. As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and a role model for women in STEM, Tinesha continues to inspire future generations. Her personal story of overcoming tragedy and achieving greatness serves as a beacon of hope, proving that with resilience and vision, anything is possible.
Tinesha’s Story
What do you get when you combine unmatched intelligence, tragic opportunities, and peerless resilience? This formula can only produce a person like Tinesha Ross.
If there has ever been a story of an overcomer, Tinesha embodies it, and her story has fueled her dedication to seeing others experience their full potential.
Growing up, Tinesha and her family experienced abject poverty that left her unable to meet basic financial needs. Beyond her poverty, she was in a home that was filled with traumatic domestic violence. One night, when she was just 9 years old, she awoke to a tragic fire that tragically claimed the lives of her mother, while seriously injuring her brother.
In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, Tinesha struggled but never quit. She realized that in life, there is no testimony without a test. Through the loving sacrifice of her aunt and uncle, she was able to recover her childhood, experience responsibility, and reach her true potential as a young woman. Tinesha is living proof that with the right vision and determination, your wildest dreams can come true.
After she showed prodigious gifts in engineering in high school, Tinesha dedicated her life to the beauty of science. Within a short period of time, she excelled with multiple post-graduate degrees with high honors. Her fierce ingenuity translated to a groundbreaking career as a rocket scientist. Her accomplishments are extensive. She was named a 2018 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Colorado. Now serving as the United Launch Alliance’s Senior Manager of General Procurement, Construction, and Capital of Production and Launch Operations, she has also been recognized by The Denver Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 Honoree.
Most notably, Tinesha was instrumental in successfully launching the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover into space and onto the surface of the planet.
Design and technology were used by NASA to successfully complete this vitally important mission of exploration and discovery.
Tinesha’s mantra is that every person should “dream big”, and instead of looking at their circumstances, focus on their own potential. Through her inspirational story of success and determination, Tinesha has moved others to refuse to see themselves as a product of their environment and begin to change their environment for the better. Through her example, countless people have been inspired to be their best selves and elevate to the next level.
While no one could have predicted that a rocket scientist would come from humble beginnings in Fairfield, Alabama; Tinesha Ross has defied the odds to become a motivational icon. She has turned her circumstances into a powerful story of hope and resilience. This power is evident when she speaks to audiences about how she overcame her tragic circumstances. Tinesha regularly amazes audiences across multiple demographics with her life-altering advice.
Tinesha brings over twenty years of aerospace industry experience to her position at ULA, including ten years at ULA’s rocket factory in Decatur, Alabama as an electrical systems test engineer and 12 years of experience at her company’s headquarters located in Centennial, Colorado. She recently returned to the Decatur Rocket Factory in 2021.
She was also the commencement speaker at Fairfield High Preparatory School’s graduation ceremony for 2021, Recipient of a Resolution Presented during Council Meeting from the City of Fairfield in May 2021 (which was also featured on WVTM Channel 13 in Birmingham, Al). Additionally, during Women’s History month in 2022, she was recognized by the Birmingham Chapter of NOBLE as one of the “WOMEN of the Year National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
Ross is a graduate of Fairfield High School; in addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Alabama A&M University, a Master of Science degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in project management from American Continental University.
While at Alabama A&M, she was a member of the Marching Maroon and White Band, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She also has a son, Chis, an extremely talented percussionist studying at the University of Northern Colorado.
