Her Story
About Krista
Krista Gustafson is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Falcon AeroLab and Falcon FlightPath in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she works at the intersection of marketing, business development, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and aerospace education. Through these organizations, she helps create educational opportunities for students beginning at approximately age six, introducing them to STEM, aviation, aerospace, and potential career pathways. Her work includes developing partnerships, expanding community reach, increasing enrollment and visibility, cultivating donor and sponsor relationships, and helping transform ideas into programs that directly benefit students.
Gustafson brings a diverse professional background spanning sales, marketing, business development, events, community engagement, and nonprofit initiatives. She began her career in sales and later spent more than three years with the Better Business Bureau, where she developed experience in marketing, events, retention, and relationship building. She subsequently operated a client-based digital marketing business and became Sales and Marketing Manager at iFLY Colorado Springs, where she gained additional experience in partnerships, group sales, events, promotions, and community outreach. She joined Falcon AeroLab in 2024 and later became Director of Business Development and Stakeholder Engagement for Falcon FlightPath. One of her notable achievements has been helping launch and develop Falcon FlightPath's private-pay model in response to changes in state funding and regulations.
Gustafson earned an Associate Degree from Pikes Peak State College, formerly Pikes Peak Community College, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Marketing from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 2021, graduating Cum Laude. She also completed the Leadership Pikes Peak program and holds a HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification. Her community involvement includes the SOAR Project under the New Horizons Foundation, Falcon FlightPath fundraising initiatives, the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs' Remodelers Council, and youth ministry service. Gustafson credits perseverance, adaptability, mentorship, relationship building, and a commitment to creating opportunities for others as important elements of her professional journey. She remains focused on expanding aerospace education, strengthening community and donor partnerships, and helping young people discover pathways into STEM, aviation, and aerospace careers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krista
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, adaptability, relationship building, and a willingness to step into whatever needs to be done. My career has taken a nontraditional path, beginning with sales and marketing and eventually leading me into aerospace education and nonprofit program development. I have learned from mentors such as Paul Myers Bennett and Dr. Dennis Natale, who have provided valuable guidance in business, relationship building, event planning, education, and professional growth. I also believe my willingness to learn, solve problems creatively, and focus on creating meaningful opportunities for others has been central to my success.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in aerospace education is adapting to changes in state funding, regulations, and enrollment while continuing to provide students with meaningful educational opportunities. These changes have also created opportunities to develop new models for delivering programs and expanding access. At Falcon AeroLab and Falcon FlightPath, I have helped navigate these changes by supporting the transition of certain programs to a private-pay model supported by families and donors. This has allowed us to continue creating opportunities for students to explore STEM, aviation, aerospace, and potential career pathways.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the biggest challenges in aerospace education is adapting to changes in state funding, regulations, and enrollment while continuing to provide students with meaningful educational opportunities. These changes have also created opportunities to develop new models for delivering programs and expanding access. At Falcon AeroLab and Falcon FlightPath, I have helped navigate these changes by supporting the transition of certain programs to a private-pay model supported by families and donors. This has allowed us to continue creating opportunities for students to explore STEM, aviation, aerospace, and potential career pathways.
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