Leanne Caret

Leanne Caret
Name	Leanne Caret
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	Leadership at Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Leanne Caret is an American business executive known for her tenure as president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. She has been associated with major aerospace programs and corporate governance, working with prominent companies and institutions in the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors. Caret's career spans program management, engineering leadership, and executive oversight across large-scale projects and multinational operations.

Early life and education

Caret was raised in the United States and completed undergraduate studies in Aerospace engineering at Wichita State University before earning a master’s degree in engineering management from Purdue University. During her academic development she engaged with programs linked to NASA and regional industry partners such as Textron and Spirit AeroSystems. Her formative training connected her with professional networks including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and ties to institutions like Air Force Institute of Technology and United Service Organizations through campus outreach and cooperative education.

Career

Caret began her professional career in the aerospace and defense industry with roles that integrated systems engineering and program management on platforms related to Boeing and legacy companies such as McDonnell Douglas and contractors like Rockwell Collins. She advanced through positions involving programs for USAF platforms, collaborating with organizations including Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and Lockheed Martin on avionics, sustainment, and modernization efforts. Her portfolio encompassed work on rotorcraft and fixed-wing projects that interfaced with programs like CH-47 Chinook, F-15, KC-46, and satellite initiatives in concert with Intelsat and commercial carriers such as United Airlines.

Throughout her career Caret held executive and senior management roles addressing supply chain challenges with firms including Honeywell International, GE Aerospace, and Safran. She participated in multinational program negotiations with governments and defense ministries, interacting with entities like the Department of Defense, UK Ministry of Defence, and allied suppliers in France, Germany, and Japan.

Leadership and roles at Boeing Defense, Space & Security

As president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Caret oversaw business units that managed programs such as Boeing P-8 Poseidon, AH-64 Apache sustainment partnerships, SLS interfaces, and work on the ISS commercial cargo and crew initiatives. She directed operations across sites tied to St. Louis, Seattle, El Segundo, and Tucson, coordinating with program teams on the KC-46 Pegasus, satellite payloads for SES S.A., and integration efforts with subcontractors like Ball Aerospace and L3Harris Technologies.

Caret led corporate responses to major industry events involving regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Congress of the United States oversight hearings, and she engaged with industry associations including the Aerospace Industries Association and National Defense Industrial Association. Her leadership encompassed financial stewardship with interactions involving investors, rating agencies, and partners like Boeing Capital Corporation and global customers in regions including Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Board memberships and affiliations

Caret has served on boards and advisory councils connected to academic, nonprofit, and corporate entities such as ASD, regional economic development organizations, and university advisory boards at institutions like Wichita State University and Purdue University. She has been affiliated with professional organizations including Society of Women Engineers, Women in Aviation International, and leadership initiatives tied to United Service Organizations and veteran support groups such as Fisher House Foundation.

Her governance roles included collaboration with corporate boards, industry consortia, and trade delegations that engaged with ministries and agencies like U.S. Department of Commerce, EXIM Bank, and multinational contractors in strategic forums alongside representatives from Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings, and Thales Group.

Awards and recognition

Caret's recognitions reflect industry and civic honors from organizations such as Fortune (magazine), Aviation Week, and regional business journals. She has been cited by trade groups including the Aerospace Industries Association and received awards from educational partners like Purdue University alumni associations and local chambers of commerce in Kansas and Washington (state). Her leadership earned inclusion in lists profiling influential executives alongside peers from General Dynamics, BAE Systems, and Honeywell.

Personal life and philanthropy

Caret is involved in philanthropic activities supporting veterans, STEM education, and regional community initiatives, working with nonprofits such as United Service Organizations, Fisher House Foundation, and STEM outreach programs linked to FIRST Robotics Competition and university scholarship funds. She has participated in charitable events alongside corporate partners, foundations, and civic leaders from organizations like United Way and state economic development agencies.

Category:Living people Category:American chief executives Category:Women corporate executives Category:People associated with Boeing