Kathy Warden
M.B.A. ’99
Business Executive
Monumental Achievement: Kathy Warden’s vision and leadership skills are put to use in her work as chairman, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman Corporation, addressing issues in space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace. Before joining Northrop Grumman in 2008, Warden held leadership roles at General Dynamics and the Veridian Corporation, was a principal in a venture internet firm, and spent nearly a decade with the General Electric Company. She has been named by the Washingtonian magazine as one of the most powerful women in Washington, D.C. In 2020, she ranked number 20 and number 77, respectively, on the Fortune and CEOWORLD Magazine lists of most powerful women.
"I am proud to be a part of the GW community. My M.B.A. provided me with a practical framework for operating in the global business landscape."
Biography
Kathy Warden is chairman, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman Corporation. She was elected chairman of the Northrop Grumman Board of Directors in 2019, and has served as CEO and president since January 1, 2019. She was elected to the company’s board of directors in 2018.
Prior to becoming CEO and president, Warden served as president and chief operating officer, responsible for the operational management of the company’s four sectors as well as its enterprise services organization. She also led the integration of Northrop Grumman’s Orbital ATK acquisition.
Previously, she served as corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman’s mission systems and information systems sectors.
Warden has extensive experience in operational leadership and business development in government and commercial markets. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman in 2008, Warden held leadership roles at General Dynamics and the Veridian Corporation, was a principal in a venture internet firm, and spent nearly a decade with the General Electric Company working in commercial industries.
Warden earned a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree in business administration from the George Washington University. She currently serves on the board of directors of Merck & Co., Inc. and Catalyst, as the chair of the Aerospace Industries Association, as the vice chair of the Greater Washington Partnership and on the James Madison University board of visitors. She is also a member of the Business Roundtable.