Rachel Diane Morford (born March 7, 1985) is an American aerospace engineer and former president of the Society of Women Engineers.[1] She is known for her work on national security satellites.[2] She contributed to the production and launch of the Air Force’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellites.[2] She was recognized with Aerospace Woman of the Year and Aerospace Commitment to Our People Diversity and Inclusion award.[2]
Morford was born in Torrance, California to Linda and Larry Morford.[3] In 2007, Morford graduated USC Viterbi where she graduated with Bachelor’s and a Master’s degrees in electrical engineering.[1] As a freshman at USC, she joined the Society of Women Engineers and stayed involved in the organization for all four of her years at USC Viterbi.[1]
Morford is a principal director at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo and has worked on a variety of projects including launching satellites and helped the launch of one of the Air Force’s communication satellites.[4] Morford joined The Aerospace Corporation in 2008 as an MTS in the Launch Directorate in the National Systems Group.[4] In 2014 she transferred to the Systems Integration and Test Office in Engineering and Technology Group while often working with international clients.[4] In January 2020, Morford was promoted to principal director at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo.[4]
Morford continues to be very active in community outreach and educating students at science fairs, classrooms, and college campuses.[4] In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running, swimming, and refurbishing furniture.[2] She is married to Matthew Boatman and they have a daughter.[1]
Morford has been recognized with the Aerospace Woman of the Year, Aerospace Commitment to Our People Diversity and Inclusion Award, SWE Distinguished New Engineer, and We Local ELiTE Award.[2]