A former corporate banking analyst who once modelled airline bankruptcies, Alycia now manages the money behind Space X, one of the most closely watched rocket start-ups in the United States. Her focus is simple: make sure the engineers always have enough runway to get it right.
Alycia studied economics at a state university before spending a decade in corporate banking, much of it analysing struggling airlines. That work taught her how quickly a business with huge fixed costs can run out of money, a lesson she brought with her when she joined Space X in 2021 as head of financial planning. At the time the company had fewer than 60 employees and a single engine on a test stand. She was promoted to senior investment broker two years later.
Colleagues describe her as cautious by temperament. She pushed Space X to sign customer contracts before building a second rocket, and insisted that the company's $420 million funding round in March 2026 come mostly from long-term institutional investors rather than fast-moving funds. Above her desk she keeps a single sheet listing every major test before the first orbital launch, with the weeks of cash the company will have left at each one. She also speaks regularly at university events about careers in space finance, reminding students that the industry needs accountants and analysts as much as engineers.
Key moments in Space X's growth under Alycia's financial leadership.
Funding round, March 2026Mostly from long-term institutional investors
Customer contracts signed firstSecured before building a second rocket
Next milestone, Summer 2026First full-duration firing of the first stage
Planned for later in 2026Pending a successful first-stage test
From airline credit analysis to running the finances of a rocket company.
Space X2023 - Present
Space X2021 - 2023
Airline & transport sector coverage2011 - 2021