Tammy Viola
Vice President of People, BlackSky
Tammy Viola joined BlackSky in 2022 having spent the majority of her career adeptly navigating the complex environments associated with technology startups and government contracting organizations. With a proven track record of driving company growth by aligning HR practices with business goals, she has successfully built HR frameworks and policies from the ground up that balance innovation with compliance.
“At BlackSky we’ve created a place where your voice is heard,” Viola said. “Our efforts not only increase engagement and collaboration but also help create an environment where employees from all backgrounds genuinely feel valued, resulting in increased productivity and a more cohesive team.”
Chris Lin, BlackSky chief administrative officer and general counsel, said she’s very proud of the work Viola’s team has done to strengthen internal communications and drive employee engagement across BlackSky’s diverse and globally dispersed workforce.
“By establishing effective communication channels, implementing regular feedback systems, and developing programs that celebrate our diversity, we have been able to foster a sense of belonging within the company,” she added.
Why Watch
BlackSky’s top company value is people first. According to Viola, as BlackSky fulfills its vision to create a first-of-its-kind space-based intelligence system, a big focus for people operations is making sure team members have the tools and resources they need to be successful.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth,” Viola said. “So, you will see us continue to invest in onboarding, career path development and training so that the most important part of BlackSky ⏤ our employees ⏤ may grow with us for years to come.”
Another BlackSky core value is celebration, Viola said. The company rolled out its first employee recognition, “Out of this World,” which allows team members to nominate and celebrate their peers for extraordinary work during quarterly all-hands meetings.