The People of NASA: Meet Krystine Bui, Institutional Procurement Office Deputy Manager

by Sumer Loggins | 2023-07-19

Krystine Bui has worked on many programs in her 35 years at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, including Orion, International Space Station, and space shuttle. Bui is a founder and advisor of Johnson’s Asians Succeeding in Innovation and Aerospace Employee Resource Group and one of the original facilitators for the Johnson Inclusive Leadership Champions.

Bui graduated from two agencywide leadership programs, the Mid-Level Leader Program and Leveraging Agency Supervisory Excellence and Resilience. She provides comprehensive support to Johnson, including facilities, logistics, security, custodial services, and grounds management. Her team serves as a training ground to prepare employees for more complex program procurements.

Official portrait of Krystine Bui, Institutional Procurement Office deputy manager. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

“If you have a dream, focus on that and find a way to mitigate and overcome obstacles. Any time we work on a new project or program, there will always be challenges. If it were easy then why would we do it, right? We are entrepreneurs and the explorers of frontiers, so we have to find a way to overcome everything.”

Having arrived in America as a Vietnamese refugee at the age of 11, Bui encourages perseverance, urging individuals to find ways to be persistent and continue striving. She views pursuing new projects and programs as essential to exploration and believes success requires determination and patience.

*Bui (center) sitting next to her dad (left) and little sister (right) in 1979 before immigrating to America.*

Bui is committed to helping others in their roles, offering guidance and support. “Anything they need, I’m here for them,” she said. Working at NASA has taught her strength, negotiation, attention to detail, collaboration, and giving back through teaching. Bui emphasizes the importance of working with diverse individuals and knowing how to manage and lead them while also recognizing the value of being a follower.

Bui's experience with the shuttle program shutdown profoundly impacted her. "Many people have dedicated their lives to the program, it was like their heartbeat,” she said. “When we shut it down, it was like taking their breath away.” Witnessing tears shed, Bui and her team had the responsibility of explaining that ending the Space Shuttle Program was necessary to secure funding for new missions and ensure the continuation of the space station. Proper budget allocation was crucial for sustained operations.

Krystine Bui receiving a certificate of appreciation during an Honor Awards Ceremony on Aug. 2, 2011, in the Teague Auditorium at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford — Bui receives a certificate of appreciation during an Honor Awards Ceremony on Aug. 2, 2011, in the Teague Auditorium at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford

Reflecting on her early days at NASA, Bui highlights the need to step out of comfort zones. She recognizes the importance of embracing change, as stagnation is not an option in a rapidly advancing industry. Bui believes being vigilant, observant, and constantly learning is essential for growth. She emphasizes the importance of investing in the younger generation and reigniting their enthusiasm for space exploration. “We have a collective responsibility in promoting NASA and shaping public perception,” she said. "The more we educate the public about what we do, the more they will see the value of it." By doing so, Bui is certain NASA will continue to stay at the forefront of innovation and inspire future generations.

While significant changes have been made to agency programs in recent years, the progress should not halt. “We have to be very vigilant and observe and learn constantly. Learning is the key,” she said. “In the leadership journey, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. We can hold hands and get there together.” Bui advocates for combining hard work with smart work. She asserts that building alliances and partnerships is important, as success cannot be achieved alone at the top.

Bui believes a leader must possess empathy and decisiveness and be able to defend and support their team. “Comfort breeds complacency, but a leader with an innovative mindset drives progress,” she said. “True leadership emerges during times of crisis. By fostering trust and open communication, we can navigate challenges together.”

Before undertaking a project, Bui takes the time to assess the current state and strategize the path to the next level. She strives to train and empower her team so they can seamlessly take over when she retires. “I’m always soliciting ideas from my people as well as submitting ideas,” she said. “The minute you stop thinking and contributing, that’s when the organization will become stagnant.” Bui actively encourages her team to contribute and recognize that continuous learning and innovation are essential for growth.

*Bui pictured with her family in summer 2023.*

Bui is dedicated to developing her team, creating opportunities for growth, and ensuring they see the value they bring to the organization. She believes that NASA should prioritize outreach efforts to attract diverse talent. Bui acknowledges the significance of NASA as an agency and appreciates the fulfilling work environment it provides.

Reflecting on her own journey, Bui emphasizes the importance of perseverance, hard work, and finding a job that one loves. Collaboration and a clear vision are key components of the leadership journey. Balancing work and personal life are important to Bui. She recognizes the need to invest time in family and advises young professionals to find the right balance by setting boundaries and devoting time to their priorities.