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| nationality  = American
| nationality  = American
| occupation  = Business executive
| occupation  = Business executive
| education    = [[Wichita State University]] (MBA)
| known_for    = Former president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security; former executive vice president of Boeing
| alma_mater  = [[Kansas State University]] (BS)
| education    = [[Kansas State University]] (BS)<br/>[[Wichita State University]] (MBA)
| known_for    = Former President and CEO of [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security]]
| title        = Former Executive Vice President, [[Boeing]]
| spouse      = Steve Caret<ref name="bizj40"/>
| spouse      = Steve Caret<ref name="bizj40"/>
| title        = Former executive vice president, [[Boeing]]
| awards      = ''Fortune'' Most Powerful Women list
| awards      = ''Fortune'' Most Powerful Women list
}}
}}


'''Leanne G. Caret''' (born November 18, 1966) is an American business executive who served as president and chief executive officer of [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security]] (BDS) and as executive vice president of [[The Boeing Company]] from 2016 until her retirement in 2022. Over the course of a career spanning more than three decades at Boeing, Caret rose through the company's ranks from an entry-level position in its Wichita, Kansas operations to the leadership of one of the world's largest defense and aerospace enterprises. She was recognized by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine on its Most Powerful Women list<ref name="fortune">{{cite web |title=Leanne Caret |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221246/http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/leanne-caret-23/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> and has served on the boards of directors of several major corporations, including [[Raytheon Technologies]] and [[Deere & Company]]. Following her retirement from Boeing, Caret has continued to be active in the aerospace and defense sector, joining the Board of Trustees of [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] and providing consulting services. She also serves on the board of governors of the [[United Service Organizations]] (USO).
'''Leanne G. Caret''' (born November 18, 1966) is an American business executive who served as president and chief executive officer of [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security]] (BDS) and as executive vice president of [[The Boeing Company]] from 2016 until her retirement in 2022. Over the course of a career spanning more than three decades at Boeing, Caret rose through a series of progressively senior leadership positions in finance, operations, and general management within the company's defense and commercial divisions. She was recognized by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine as one of the Most Powerful Women in business.<ref name="fortune">{{cite web |title=Leanne Caret |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221246/http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/leanne-caret-23/ |publisher=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Following her retirement from Boeing, Caret has continued to serve in prominent roles in corporate governance and higher education, including board positions at [[Raytheon Technologies]], [[Deere & Company]], and [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]].


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Leanne Caret was born on November 18, 1966.<ref name="bizj40"/> Details regarding her family background and childhood remain largely private. She grew up in Kansas and pursued her education in the state, attending [[Kansas State University]] for her undergraduate studies before later earning a graduate degree from [[Wichita State University]].<ref name="bizj40"/> Her early years in Kansas would prove formative, as the state's deep ties to the aviation and aerospace manufacturing industry — particularly through Boeing's significant operations in Wichita — helped shape the trajectory of her professional career.
Leanne Caret was born on November 18, 1966.<ref name="bizj40"/> Details about her early childhood and family background prior to her education remain limited in publicly available sources. She grew up during a period of significant expansion in the American aerospace and defense industry, and her career trajectory would ultimately lead her to the highest levels of one of the sector's most prominent companies. Caret was recognized early in her professional life as a rising talent in the Wichita, Kansas, business community, where she was named to the ''Wichita Business Journal'''s "40 Under 40" list, a distinction that highlighted young professionals who had demonstrated exceptional achievement and leadership potential in the region.<ref name="bizj40"/>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Caret earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree from [[Kansas State University]].<ref name="bizj40"/> She subsequently obtained a [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) from [[Wichita State University]].<ref name="bizj40"/> Her educational background in business administration provided a foundation for her rise through the financial and operational management ranks at Boeing.
Caret earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree from [[Kansas State University]].<ref name="bizj40"/> She later obtained a [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA) from [[Wichita State University]].<ref name="bizj40"/> Both institutions are public universities in the state of Kansas, and Caret's educational background in business provided the foundation for her subsequent career in aerospace manufacturing and defense contracting. Her advanced degree in business administration proved instrumental as she advanced through increasingly complex financial and operational roles at Boeing and its predecessor entities.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Career at Boeing (1988–2015) ===
=== Early Career at Boeing (1988–2015) ===


Caret joined Boeing in 1988, beginning what would become a 34-year career with the company.<ref name="bizj40"/><ref name="defenseone">{{cite web |title=Boeing Defense CEO Retires After Six Turbulent Years |url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/03/boeing-defense-ceo-caret-retires-after-turbulent-six-years/363724/ |work=Defense One |date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She started in the company's operations in Wichita, Kansas, which at the time served as a major hub for Boeing's manufacturing activities. During her early career at Boeing, Caret was recognized for her professional achievements when the ''Wichita Business Journal'' named her to its "40 Under 40" list, highlighting her as one of the area's rising business leaders.<ref name="bizj40"/>
Leanne Caret began her career at Boeing in 1988, a tenure that would ultimately span 34 years.<ref name="defenseone">{{cite news |title=Boeing Defense CEO Retires After Six Turbulent Years |url=https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/03/boeing-defense-ceo-caret-retires-after-turbulent-six-years/363724/ |work=Defense One |date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her early years at the company were spent in the Wichita, Kansas, area, where Boeing maintained significant manufacturing operations. During this period, she built expertise in finance and program management, rising through a succession of leadership positions within the company's defense-related business units.


Over the years, Caret held a series of progressively senior positions across Boeing's defense and commercial operations. Her career trajectory encompassed roles in finance, program management, and business operations, giving her broad exposure to the company's diverse portfolio. She developed expertise in the defense sector in particular, working across programs that spanned military aircraft, space systems, and related technologies.
Over the course of nearly three decades, Caret held roles of increasing responsibility across multiple divisions of Boeing. Her career path included leadership positions in both the defense and commercial sides of the business, giving her broad operational experience that distinguished her among the company's senior leadership cadre. The ''Wichita Business Journal'' recognized her achievements early in her career by naming her to its "40 Under 40" list, signaling her emergence as a notable figure in the Kansas business community.<ref name="bizj40"/>
 
Caret's steady ascent through Boeing's organizational hierarchy reflected the company's tradition of developing leaders internally. By the mid-2010s, she had accumulated sufficient experience and credibility within the organization to be considered for one of its most significant leadership positions.


=== President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (2016–2022) ===
=== President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (2016–2022) ===


In late 2015, Boeing announced that Caret would assume leadership of its Defense, Space & Security division, the St. Louis–based unit responsible for the company's military, space, and security-related programs.<ref name="stltoday">{{cite news |title=Boeing names Leanne Caret to head St. Louis-based defense unit |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/boeing-names-leanne-caret-to-head-st-louis-based-defense/article_411d717f-19d5-577b-84a5-7a592ce5ab08.html |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="palmetto">{{cite web |title=Caret takes leadership post at Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division |url=https://palmettobusinessdaily.com/stories/510700703-caret-takes-leadership-post-at-boeing-s-defense-space-and-security-division |publisher=Palmetto Business Daily |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She formally took the role of president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) and was simultaneously named an executive vice president of The Boeing Company, placing her among the most senior executives in the corporation's leadership structure.<ref name="palmetto"/>
In 2016, Caret was appointed president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), one of the three major business units of The Boeing Company, and simultaneously became an executive vice president of the parent corporation.<ref name="stltoday">{{cite news |title=Boeing names Leanne Caret to head St. Louis-based defense division |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/boeing-names-leanne-caret-to-head-st-louis-based-defense/article_411d717f-19d5-577b-84a5-7a592ce5ab08.html |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="palmetto">{{cite news |title=Caret Takes Leadership Post at Boeing's Defense, Space and Security Division |url=https://palmettobusinessdaily.com/stories/510700703-caret-takes-leadership-post-at-boeing-s-defense-space-and-security-division |work=Palmetto Business Daily |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The BDS division, headquartered in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], was one of the largest defense contractors in the United States, responsible for military aircraft, satellites, weapons systems, and related technologies and services.
 
As head of BDS, Caret oversaw a vast portfolio of defense and space programs serving the [[United States Department of Defense]], [[NASA]], and international military customers. The division's product lines included fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned systems, satellite systems, and various defense electronics and network systems. Leading this division placed Caret among the most senior women in the American defense industry and among the highest-ranking executives in the broader aerospace sector.
 
Caret's tenure at the helm of BDS was marked by both significant achievements and considerable challenges. ''Defense One'' characterized her six years leading the division as "turbulent," a reflection of the operational and programmatic difficulties that affected several major BDS programs during this period.<ref name="defenseone"/> The defense and space unit faced cost overruns and technical challenges on a number of fixed-price development programs, issues that drew scrutiny from both government customers and financial analysts.
 
Despite these challenges, Caret maintained her position as one of the most prominent executives in the defense industry throughout her tenure. Her role required managing relationships with senior military and government officials, overseeing tens of thousands of employees, and navigating the complex regulatory and procurement environment that defines the American defense industrial base.
 
''Fortune'' magazine recognized Caret's stature in the business world by including her on its annual Most Powerful Women list, where she was ranked 23rd.<ref name="fortune"/> This recognition placed her alongside some of the most influential female executives in American business and underscored the significance of her role within both Boeing and the broader defense industry.
 
=== Retirement from Boeing (2022) ===


As head of BDS, Caret oversaw one of the largest defense contractors in the United States. The division's portfolio included major programs such as fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, satellite systems, missile defense, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity services. BDS served as a primary contractor to the [[United States Department of Defense]], [[NASA]], and allied governments worldwide.
On March 28, 2022, Boeing announced that Caret would retire from the company, effective later that year, after a career spanning more than three decades.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |title=Boeing appoints Ted Colbert as CEO of defense, space business |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/boeing-appoints-ted-colbert-ceo-defense-space-business-2022-03-28/ |work=Reuters |date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="defenseone"/> Her successor as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security was Ted Colbert, who had previously led Boeing Global Services. Colbert's appointment was noted as historically significant; ''Defense One'' reported that he became the only Black chief executive among the top 50 U.S. defense firms.<ref name="defenseone"/>


Caret's tenure at the helm of BDS was described as spanning a turbulent period for the division.<ref name="defenseone"/> During her six years leading the unit, BDS faced a number of significant challenges. The division contended with cost overruns and technical difficulties on several high-profile programs, competitive pressures from rival defense contractors, and the broader operational and financial strains that affected Boeing as a whole during this period. Despite these challenges, Caret led the division through a time of continued large-scale program execution and competition for major defense contracts.
Caret's departure from Boeing marked the end of a 34-year career at the company, during which she had risen from an entry-level position to the executive vice president level. Her retirement was part of a broader leadership transition at Boeing during a period when the company was addressing multiple operational and reputational challenges across its business units.


During her time as BDS president and CEO, Caret was recognized on ''Fortune'' magazine's Most Powerful Women list, which ranked her among the most influential female executives in American business.<ref name="fortune"/> The listing reflected her position as one of the most senior women in the aerospace and defense industry, a sector historically dominated by male leadership.
=== Post-Boeing Consulting ===


=== Retirement from Boeing ===
Following her formal retirement from Boeing, Caret maintained a connection with the company through a consulting arrangement. In December 2022, it was reported that Caret would provide recruitment-related consulting support to Boeing through a consulting firm, assisting the company with talent acquisition efforts.<ref name="govconwire">{{cite news |title=Leanne Caret to Help Boeing With Recruiting via Consulting Firm |url=https://www.govconwire.com/articles/leanne-caret-to-help-boeing-with-recruiting-via-consulting-firm |work=GovCon Wire |date=2022-12-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This arrangement allowed Boeing to continue benefiting from Caret's extensive knowledge of the company and the defense industry while she transitioned into the next phase of her career.


On March 28, 2022, Boeing announced that Caret would retire from the company after 34 years of service.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-03-28 |title=Boeing appoints Ted Colbert as CEO of defense and space business |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/boeing-appoints-ted-colbert-ceo-defense-space-business-2022-03-28/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="defenseone"/> Her successor as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security was Ted Colbert, who had previously led Boeing Global Services. Colbert's appointment was noted as making him the only Black chief executive among the top 50 U.S. defense firms at the time.<ref name="defenseone"/>
=== Corporate Board Service ===


Following her formal retirement, Caret continued to support Boeing in an advisory capacity. In late 2022, it was reported that she would provide recruitment-related consulting support to the company through a consulting firm, assisting Boeing with talent acquisition efforts during a period when the aerospace and defense industry was facing significant workforce challenges.<ref name="govcon">{{cite web |title=Leanne Caret to Help Boeing With Recruiting via Consulting Firm |url=https://www.govconwire.com/articles/leanne-caret-to-help-boeing-with-recruiting-via-consulting-firm |publisher=GovCon Wire |date=2022-12-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
After leaving her operational role at Boeing, Caret took on several prominent corporate board positions that reflected her standing in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.


=== Post-Retirement Board Service and Activities ===
In November 2021, while still serving as an executive at Boeing, Caret was elected to the board of directors of [[Deere & Company]] (NYSE: DE), the multinational agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturer. The announcement described her as "a leading manufacturing executive," highlighting the transferability of her leadership experience to the broader manufacturing sector.<ref name="deere">{{cite news |title=Boeing Executive Leanne Caret Joins Deere Board of Directors |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-executive-leanne-caret-joins-deere-board-of-directors-301412818.html |work=PR Newswire |date=2021-11-01 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


After leaving Boeing, Caret took on a series of corporate board positions and advisory roles that reflected her standing in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.
In January 2023, shortly after her retirement from Boeing, Caret was elected to the board of directors of [[Raytheon Technologies]] (NYSE: RTX), one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies. The announcement described her as "an experienced aerospace and defense industry leader."<ref name="rtx">{{cite news |title=Raytheon Technologies Appoints Leanne G. Caret to Board of Directors |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-technologies-appoints-leanne-g-caret-to-board-of-directors-301722801.html |work=PR Newswire |date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="washexec">{{cite news |title=Leanne Caret Elected to Raytheon Technologies' Board |url=https://washingtonexec.com/2023/01/leanne-caret-elected-to-raytheon-technologies-board/ |work=WashingtonExec |date=2023-01-17 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her appointment to the Raytheon Technologies board was notable given that the company was a major competitor to Boeing in numerous defense and aerospace markets, and it reflected the common practice in the defense industry of recruiting board members with deep sector expertise regardless of prior corporate affiliations.


In January 2023, [[Raytheon Technologies]] (now [[RTX Corporation]]) announced the election of Caret to its board of directors.<ref name="rtx">{{cite web |title=Raytheon Technologies Appoints Leanne G. Caret to Board of Directors |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-technologies-appoints-leanne-g-caret-to-board-of-directors-301722801.html |publisher=PR Newswire |date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="washexec">{{cite web |title=Leanne Caret Elected to Raytheon Technologies' Board |url=https://washingtonexec.com/2023/01/leanne-caret-elected-to-raytheon-technologies-board/ |publisher=WashingtonExec |date=2023-01-17 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The appointment placed her on the board of one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, a peer competitor to Boeing in many market segments. Raytheon Technologies described her as "an experienced aerospace and defense industry leader" in announcing the appointment.<ref name="washexec"/>
=== Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees ===


Caret had also joined the board of directors of [[Deere & Company]] in November 2021, while still serving as a Boeing executive. Deere & Company, the manufacturer of [[John Deere]]-branded equipment, elected her to its board and described her as "a leading manufacturing executive."<ref name="deere">{{cite web |title=Boeing Executive Leanne Caret Joins Deere Board of Directors |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-executive-leanne-caret-joins-deere-board-of-directors-301412818.html |publisher=PR Newswire |date=2021-11-01 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In April 2024, [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] announced that Caret had been appointed as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. The university described her as a "longtime CEO and Fortune 100 director" and noted that she brought decades of experience to the board.<ref name="erau1">{{cite web |title=Embry-Riddle Welcomes Aviation Business Veteran Leanne Caret to Board of Trustees |url=https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-aviation-business-veteran-leanne-caret-to-board-of-trustees |publisher=Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |date=2024-04-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="erau2">{{cite web |title=Embry-Riddle Welcomes Two Aviation Business Leaders to Board of Trustees |url=https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-two-aviation-business-leaders-to-board-of-trustees |publisher=Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |date=2024-04-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Caret was announced alongside Kenn Ricci, another figure in the aviation industry, as part of an effort by the university to strengthen its governance with leaders from the aviation and aerospace sectors.<ref name="erau2"/>


In April 2024, [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] announced that Caret had been appointed to its Board of Trustees. The university described her as a "longtime CEO and Fortune 100 director" and noted that she brought decades of experience in the aviation industry to the board.<ref name="erau">{{cite web |title=Embry-Riddle Welcomes Aviation Business Veteran Leanne Caret to Board of Trustees |url=https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-aviation-business-veteran-leanne-caret-to-board-of-trustees |publisher=Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |date=2024-04-05 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="erau2">{{cite web |title=Embry-Riddle Welcomes Two Aviation Business Leaders to Board of Trustees |url=https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-two-aviation-business-leaders-to-board-of-trustees |publisher=Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |date=2024-04-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She joined the board alongside Kenn Ricci, another prominent aviation industry figure.<ref name="erau2"/>
Embry-Riddle is one of the foremost institutions of higher education specializing in aviation and aerospace, and Caret's appointment to its Board of Trustees reflected her extensive experience in the aerospace and defense industry and her continued engagement with the sector following her retirement from operational roles.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Caret is married to Steve Caret.<ref name="bizj40"/> She maintains a relatively private personal life outside of her professional activities. In addition to her corporate board service, she serves on the board of governors of the [[United Service Organizations]] (USO), the nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to members of the United States military and their families. Her involvement with the USO reflects the close connection between her professional career in the defense industry and support for military service members.
Leanne Caret is married to Steve Caret.<ref name="bizj40"/> Limited additional information about her personal life is available in publicly documented sources, consistent with her general approach of maintaining a relatively low public profile outside of her professional activities.
 
Caret has served on the board of governors of the [[United Service Organizations]] (USO), a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to members of the United States military and their families. This board service reflected her long professional engagement with the defense community and the military through her leadership of Boeing's defense business unit.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Caret received recognition throughout her career for her achievements in business and the aerospace and defense industry. Among the most notable:
Caret received several notable recognitions during and after her career at Boeing. ''Fortune'' magazine included her on its annual Most Powerful Women list, ranking her 23rd, a placement that reflected her significant role as head of one of the largest defense businesses in the United States.<ref name="fortune"/>


* She was named to the ''Wichita Business Journal'' "40 Under 40" list early in her career, recognizing her as one of the top young business professionals in the Wichita, Kansas area.<ref name="bizj40"/>
Earlier in her career, while based in Wichita, Kansas, Caret was recognized by the ''Wichita Business Journal'' as a member of its "40 Under 40" class, which highlighted young professionals who had demonstrated notable achievement in the region's business community.<ref name="bizj40"/>
* She was ranked on ''Fortune'' magazine's Most Powerful Women list, which placed her at number 23 among the most powerful women in American business.<ref name="fortune"/>
* She was described as "a leading manufacturing executive" by Deere & Company upon her election to that company's board of directors.<ref name="deere"/>
* She was characterized as "an experienced aerospace and defense industry leader" by Raytheon Technologies upon her appointment to its board.<ref name="rtx"/><ref name="washexec"/>
* Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University described her as a "longtime CEO and Fortune 100 director" when announcing her appointment to the university's Board of Trustees.<ref name="erau"/>


Her career trajectory from an entry-level position in Boeing's Wichita operations to the executive vice presidency of one of the world's largest aerospace companies made her one of the most prominent women to lead a major U.S. defense business unit.
Her post-retirement appointments to the boards of major corporations and institutions—including Raytheon Technologies, Deere & Company, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—further attested to the regard in which she was held within the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.<ref name="rtx"/><ref name="deere"/><ref name="erau1"/>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Leanne Caret's career at Boeing is notable for both its duration and the level of leadership she attained within a sector historically characterized by limited representation of women in senior executive roles. As president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, she led a business unit with tens of thousands of employees and billions of dollars in annual revenue, overseeing programs that spanned military aviation, space exploration, missile defense, and cybersecurity.
Leanne Caret's 34-year career at Boeing, culminating in her leadership of one of the company's three principal business units, placed her among the most senior women to have led a major American defense enterprise. Her rise through the ranks of Boeing from an entry-level position in 1988 to executive vice president and head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security represented a notable career arc in an industry that has historically had limited representation of women in its uppermost leadership positions.


Her six-year tenure at the helm of BDS coincided with a period of significant challenge for Boeing, and her leadership was tested by programmatic, financial, and reputational pressures across the company's defense portfolio.<ref name="defenseone"/> The transition of leadership to Ted Colbert upon her retirement marked a generational shift in BDS's executive ranks.<ref name="reuters"/><ref name="defenseone"/>
Her tenure as head of BDS coincided with a period of significant challenge for Boeing's defense and space business, and her leadership during this time was subject to both industry recognition and scrutiny. Following her retirement, her rapid appointment to multiple corporate boards and a university board of trustees demonstrated the breadth of her professional reputation and the value that major organizations placed on her industry expertise and leadership experience.


Following her retirement, Caret's selection for board positions at Raytheon Technologies, Deere & Company, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University reflected the breadth of her expertise and the regard in which she was held across the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing sectors.<ref name="rtx"/><ref name="deere"/><ref name="erau"/> Her post-retirement consulting work with Boeing on recruitment matters further underscored her continued engagement with workforce development issues in the defense industry.<ref name="govcon"/>
Caret's post-Boeing career, including her roles at Raytheon Technologies and Deere & Company, illustrated the increasing fluidity of executive talent across the defense and broader industrial sectors, as well as the growing demand for board members with deep operational experience in complex, regulated industries.
 
Her career path — from Kansas State University and entry-level work in Boeing's Wichita facilities to the executive suite of one of the world's largest defense contractors — represents a trajectory spanning the full hierarchy of a major American corporation over more than three decades.


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Boeing people]]
[[Category:Boeing people]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:Kansas State University alumni]]
[[Category:Kansas State University alumni]]
[[Category:Wichita State University alumni]]
[[Category:Wichita State University alumni]]
[[Category:American women in business]]
[[Category:American aerospace businesspeople]]
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[[Category:American corporate directors]]
[[Category:Deere & Company people]]
[[Category:People in the defense industry]]
[[Category:Raytheon Technologies people]]
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Latest revision as of 06:15, 24 February 2026


Leanne Caret
Caret in 2018
Leanne Caret
Born18 11, 1966[1]
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive
TitleFormer executive vice president, Boeing
Known forFormer president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security; former executive vice president of Boeing
EducationKansas State University (BS)
Wichita State University (MBA)
Spouse(s)Steve Caret[1]
AwardsFortune Most Powerful Women list

Leanne G. Caret (born November 18, 1966) is an American business executive who served as president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) and as executive vice president of The Boeing Company from 2016 until her retirement in 2022. Over the course of a career spanning more than three decades at Boeing, Caret rose through a series of progressively senior leadership positions in finance, operations, and general management within the company's defense and commercial divisions. She was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the Most Powerful Women in business.[2] Following her retirement from Boeing, Caret has continued to serve in prominent roles in corporate governance and higher education, including board positions at Raytheon Technologies, Deere & Company, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Early Life

Leanne Caret was born on November 18, 1966.[1] Details about her early childhood and family background prior to her education remain limited in publicly available sources. She grew up during a period of significant expansion in the American aerospace and defense industry, and her career trajectory would ultimately lead her to the highest levels of one of the sector's most prominent companies. Caret was recognized early in her professional life as a rising talent in the Wichita, Kansas, business community, where she was named to the Wichita Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list, a distinction that highlighted young professionals who had demonstrated exceptional achievement and leadership potential in the region.[1]

Education

Caret earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University.[1] She later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Wichita State University.[1] Both institutions are public universities in the state of Kansas, and Caret's educational background in business provided the foundation for her subsequent career in aerospace manufacturing and defense contracting. Her advanced degree in business administration proved instrumental as she advanced through increasingly complex financial and operational roles at Boeing and its predecessor entities.

Career

Early Career at Boeing (1988–2015)

Leanne Caret began her career at Boeing in 1988, a tenure that would ultimately span 34 years.[3] Her early years at the company were spent in the Wichita, Kansas, area, where Boeing maintained significant manufacturing operations. During this period, she built expertise in finance and program management, rising through a succession of leadership positions within the company's defense-related business units.

Over the course of nearly three decades, Caret held roles of increasing responsibility across multiple divisions of Boeing. Her career path included leadership positions in both the defense and commercial sides of the business, giving her broad operational experience that distinguished her among the company's senior leadership cadre. The Wichita Business Journal recognized her achievements early in her career by naming her to its "40 Under 40" list, signaling her emergence as a notable figure in the Kansas business community.[1]

Caret's steady ascent through Boeing's organizational hierarchy reflected the company's tradition of developing leaders internally. By the mid-2010s, she had accumulated sufficient experience and credibility within the organization to be considered for one of its most significant leadership positions.

President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (2016–2022)

In 2016, Caret was appointed president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), one of the three major business units of The Boeing Company, and simultaneously became an executive vice president of the parent corporation.[4][5] The BDS division, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, was one of the largest defense contractors in the United States, responsible for military aircraft, satellites, weapons systems, and related technologies and services.

As head of BDS, Caret oversaw a vast portfolio of defense and space programs serving the United States Department of Defense, NASA, and international military customers. The division's product lines included fighter aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned systems, satellite systems, and various defense electronics and network systems. Leading this division placed Caret among the most senior women in the American defense industry and among the highest-ranking executives in the broader aerospace sector.

Caret's tenure at the helm of BDS was marked by both significant achievements and considerable challenges. Defense One characterized her six years leading the division as "turbulent," a reflection of the operational and programmatic difficulties that affected several major BDS programs during this period.[3] The defense and space unit faced cost overruns and technical challenges on a number of fixed-price development programs, issues that drew scrutiny from both government customers and financial analysts.

Despite these challenges, Caret maintained her position as one of the most prominent executives in the defense industry throughout her tenure. Her role required managing relationships with senior military and government officials, overseeing tens of thousands of employees, and navigating the complex regulatory and procurement environment that defines the American defense industrial base.

Fortune magazine recognized Caret's stature in the business world by including her on its annual Most Powerful Women list, where she was ranked 23rd.[2] This recognition placed her alongside some of the most influential female executives in American business and underscored the significance of her role within both Boeing and the broader defense industry.

Retirement from Boeing (2022)

On March 28, 2022, Boeing announced that Caret would retire from the company, effective later that year, after a career spanning more than three decades.[6][3] Her successor as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security was Ted Colbert, who had previously led Boeing Global Services. Colbert's appointment was noted as historically significant; Defense One reported that he became the only Black chief executive among the top 50 U.S. defense firms.[3]

Caret's departure from Boeing marked the end of a 34-year career at the company, during which she had risen from an entry-level position to the executive vice president level. Her retirement was part of a broader leadership transition at Boeing during a period when the company was addressing multiple operational and reputational challenges across its business units.

Post-Boeing Consulting

Following her formal retirement from Boeing, Caret maintained a connection with the company through a consulting arrangement. In December 2022, it was reported that Caret would provide recruitment-related consulting support to Boeing through a consulting firm, assisting the company with talent acquisition efforts.[7] This arrangement allowed Boeing to continue benefiting from Caret's extensive knowledge of the company and the defense industry while she transitioned into the next phase of her career.

Corporate Board Service

After leaving her operational role at Boeing, Caret took on several prominent corporate board positions that reflected her standing in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.

In November 2021, while still serving as an executive at Boeing, Caret was elected to the board of directors of Deere & Company (NYSE: DE), the multinational agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturer. The announcement described her as "a leading manufacturing executive," highlighting the transferability of her leadership experience to the broader manufacturing sector.[8]

In January 2023, shortly after her retirement from Boeing, Caret was elected to the board of directors of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), one of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies. The announcement described her as "an experienced aerospace and defense industry leader."[9][10] Her appointment to the Raytheon Technologies board was notable given that the company was a major competitor to Boeing in numerous defense and aerospace markets, and it reflected the common practice in the defense industry of recruiting board members with deep sector expertise regardless of prior corporate affiliations.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees

In April 2024, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced that Caret had been appointed as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. The university described her as a "longtime CEO and Fortune 100 director" and noted that she brought decades of experience to the board.[11][12] Caret was announced alongside Kenn Ricci, another figure in the aviation industry, as part of an effort by the university to strengthen its governance with leaders from the aviation and aerospace sectors.[12]

Embry-Riddle is one of the foremost institutions of higher education specializing in aviation and aerospace, and Caret's appointment to its Board of Trustees reflected her extensive experience in the aerospace and defense industry and her continued engagement with the sector following her retirement from operational roles.

Personal Life

Leanne Caret is married to Steve Caret.[1] Limited additional information about her personal life is available in publicly documented sources, consistent with her general approach of maintaining a relatively low public profile outside of her professional activities.

Caret has served on the board of governors of the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to members of the United States military and their families. This board service reflected her long professional engagement with the defense community and the military through her leadership of Boeing's defense business unit.

Recognition

Caret received several notable recognitions during and after her career at Boeing. Fortune magazine included her on its annual Most Powerful Women list, ranking her 23rd, a placement that reflected her significant role as head of one of the largest defense businesses in the United States.[2]

Earlier in her career, while based in Wichita, Kansas, Caret was recognized by the Wichita Business Journal as a member of its "40 Under 40" class, which highlighted young professionals who had demonstrated notable achievement in the region's business community.[1]

Her post-retirement appointments to the boards of major corporations and institutions—including Raytheon Technologies, Deere & Company, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—further attested to the regard in which she was held within the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.[9][8][11]

Legacy

Leanne Caret's 34-year career at Boeing, culminating in her leadership of one of the company's three principal business units, placed her among the most senior women to have led a major American defense enterprise. Her rise through the ranks of Boeing from an entry-level position in 1988 to executive vice president and head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security represented a notable career arc in an industry that has historically had limited representation of women in its uppermost leadership positions.

Her tenure as head of BDS coincided with a period of significant challenge for Boeing's defense and space business, and her leadership during this time was subject to both industry recognition and scrutiny. Following her retirement, her rapid appointment to multiple corporate boards and a university board of trustees demonstrated the breadth of her professional reputation and the value that major organizations placed on her industry expertise and leadership experience.

Caret's post-Boeing career, including her roles at Raytheon Technologies and Deere & Company, illustrated the increasing fluidity of executive talent across the defense and broader industrial sectors, as well as the growing demand for board members with deep operational experience in complex, regulated industries.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "40 Under 40: Leanne Caret".Wichita Business Journal.https://web.archive.org/web/20140814031151/https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/feature/40under40/leanne-caret.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Leanne Caret".Fortune.https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221246/http://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/leanne-caret-23/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Boeing Defense CEO Retires After Six Turbulent Years".Defense One.2022-03-28.https://www.defenseone.com/business/2022/03/boeing-defense-ceo-caret-retires-after-turbulent-six-years/363724/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Boeing names Leanne Caret to head St. Louis-based defense division".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/boeing-names-leanne-caret-to-head-st-louis-based-defense/article_411d717f-19d5-577b-84a5-7a592ce5ab08.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Caret Takes Leadership Post at Boeing's Defense, Space and Security Division".Palmetto Business Daily.https://palmettobusinessdaily.com/stories/510700703-caret-takes-leadership-post-at-boeing-s-defense-space-and-security-division.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Boeing appoints Ted Colbert as CEO of defense, space business".Reuters.2022-03-28.https://www.reuters.com/business/boeing-appoints-ted-colbert-ceo-defense-space-business-2022-03-28/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Leanne Caret to Help Boeing With Recruiting via Consulting Firm".GovCon Wire.2022-12-28.https://www.govconwire.com/articles/leanne-caret-to-help-boeing-with-recruiting-via-consulting-firm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Boeing Executive Leanne Caret Joins Deere Board of Directors".PR Newswire.2021-11-01.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-executive-leanne-caret-joins-deere-board-of-directors-301412818.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Raytheon Technologies Appoints Leanne G. Caret to Board of Directors".PR Newswire.2023-01-16.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-technologies-appoints-leanne-g-caret-to-board-of-directors-301722801.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Leanne Caret Elected to Raytheon Technologies' Board".WashingtonExec.2023-01-17.https://washingtonexec.com/2023/01/leanne-caret-elected-to-raytheon-technologies-board/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Embry-Riddle Welcomes Aviation Business Veteran Leanne Caret to Board of Trustees".Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.2024-04-05.https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-aviation-business-veteran-leanne-caret-to-board-of-trustees.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Embry-Riddle Welcomes Two Aviation Business Leaders to Board of Trustees".Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.2024-04-10.https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-welcomes-two-aviation-business-leaders-to-board-of-trustees.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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