Who she is: Irani Rael, a.k.a. Nova Prime
Her power: No superpowers, but leader of the Xandarian Nova Corps.
Her story: As shown in Guardians Of The Galaxy, Irani Rael is the head of Nova Corps on planet Xandar, where she has brokered a peace treaty with the Kree empire. However, renegade Kree Ronan The Accuser continues to attack Xandarian outposts throughout the galaxy, which obviously doesn’t sit too well with her. Soon, however, she is contacted by Peter Quill (through his Nova Corps arresting officer Rhomann Dey), and learns Ronan is planning to attack Xandar directly. She agrees to work together with the Guardians to defeat Ronan, and after they succeed, Quill gives her the orb containing an Infinity Stone for safekeeping.
Played by: Glenn Close
Currently, Irani Rael is: Still the head of Nova Corps.
Where will we see her next? Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, due out May 5, 2017.