Emily Smallwood

Services

Mentorship Plan

Not available

Emily is currently not available for mentorship. Put them on your watchlist to be notified when they are available again.
Save to wishlist

No spots left, but you can save the mentor to your wishlist to get notified about their open spots!

Book now
View all sessions

About

Hi, I’m Emily. I was recognized as one of Washingtonian’s Most Influential Under 35 in 2014 and named a WashingtonExec “Exec to Watch” in 2024. Over the past 16+ years in the aerospace and defense industry, I’ve built a career from the ground up — starting as a systems engineer at Orbital Sciences Corporation, serving in government, advancing through leadership at Northrop Grumman, and ultimately launching my own aerospace company.

I’ve experienced every phase of the journey: systems engineering, integration and test of satellites and launch vehicles, mission operations, navigating corporate dynamics, and becoming a Vice President before the age of 35. Along the way, I captured over $950M in DoD contracts as a capture manager, led a $2B business unit as an operations manager, and grew my own startup to $1.5M in contracts in under a year — all while raising three kids under three.

My mentorship style is practical, encouraging, and tailored to your goals. I focus on helping people see the bigger picture while breaking challenges into clear, actionable steps. I ask thoughtful questions, share honest feedback, and provide tools that build confidence and momentum — whether we’re tackling career moves, leadership growth, or personal balance.

Much of my success came from mentorship, networking, and champions who believed in me, and now I want to share that knowledge with others. Whether you’re a mom striving for work–life balance, a startup founder building a solid foundation, a high school student eager to chart a path forward, or an engineer learning to thrive in the corporate world, I’m here and genuinely happy to help.

It all starts with you taking that first step — book a session with me, and let’s unlock your potential together.

This is how real progress happens

Mentees who work with a mentor for 3+ months reach their goals 2x faster than those going it alone. Long-term mentorship means fewer false starts, more focused sessions, and support that builds week after week.

97% satisfaction across all mentors

Personalized feedback and growth plans

Trusted by thousands of mentees

Start your mentorship

Skills

Aerospace engineering Defense contracting Business development Startup strategy Proposal writing Leadership Career coaching Government contracting Women in STEM Career Growth Management Coaching