Kathy Warden

Kathy Warden
Warden in 2024
Kathy Warden
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive
Title	Chair, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman
Known for	Chairman, CEO and President of Northrop Grumman
Education	George Washington University (MBA)
Awards	Federal 100 Award (2015), Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award (2018)

Kathy J. Warden (born 1970 or 1971) is an American business executive who serves as chair, chief executive officer, and president of Northrop Grumman, one of the largest defense and aerospace companies in the world. She assumed the role of CEO and president on January 1, 2019, succeeding Wesley Bush, and subsequently became chair of the board of directors in April 2019. Warden's career in the defense and technology sectors spans more than two decades, during which she held senior leadership positions at Northrop Grumman and previously at General Electric. Under her leadership, Northrop Grumman has overseen the development and production of major defense programs, including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Prior to becoming CEO, Warden served as the company's president and chief operating officer, where she played a central role in Northrop Grumman's acquisition and integration of Orbital ATK. She holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.

Early Life

Kathy J. Warden was born in approximately 1970 or 1971. Details about her early childhood and family background have not been extensively documented in public sources. She grew up and eventually pursued her undergraduate education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she studied business. Warden maintained close ties to James Madison University throughout her career, eventually serving on the university's Board of Visitors. Her connection to the institution was recognized in 2018 when the university's College of Business honored her with the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award.

Warden pursued her education with an orientation toward the intersection of business and technology, interests that would define the trajectory of her professional career. After completing her undergraduate degree, she went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University School of Business, further solidifying her credentials in business management and strategy.

Education

Warden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from James Madison University in Virginia, where she studied in the university's College of Business. She later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the George Washington University School of Business in Washington, D.C. When Warden was named CEO of Northrop Grumman in 2018, the George Washington University School of Business highlighted her appointment as a notable achievement by one of its graduates. Warden has remained engaged with both of her alma maters, serving on the Board of Visitors at James Madison University and being recognized by JMU's College of Business with its highest alumni honor.

Career

Early Career and General Electric

Before joining Northrop Grumman, Warden worked at General Electric, gaining experience in the technology and defense sectors. Her work at GE provided a foundation in large-scale program management and technology development that would later prove relevant in her roles at Northrop Grumman. Details of her specific positions and tenure at General Electric have not been extensively detailed in publicly available reporting.

Rise at Northrop Grumman

Warden joined Northrop Grumman and rose through the organization's leadership ranks. By 2015, she had achieved sufficient prominence in the federal technology and defense community to be recognized with the Federal 100 Award, an honor given by FCW (formerly Federal Computer Week) to individuals who have had a significant impact on the federal government's use of information technology. At that time, Warden was serving in a senior leadership capacity within Northrop Grumman's information systems sector, which handles cybersecurity, intelligence, and command-and-control systems for government clients.

In November 2015, Warden was named corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector, one of the company's major business divisions. In this role, she oversaw programs related to cybersecurity, C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), and other technology-intensive government contracts.

Warden's profile continued to rise within the defense industry and the broader Washington, D.C. business community. In 2016, the Capital Gazette featured her among notable business leaders in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. region. In 2017, Washingtonian magazine named her among the most powerful women in Washington.

President and Chief Operating Officer

Warden was elevated to the position of president and chief operating officer (COO) of Northrop Grumman following the company's announcement in July 2018 that then-chairman and CEO Wesley Bush would step down from his positions the following year. The transition plan, announced on July 12, 2018, called for Warden to succeed Bush as CEO and president effective January 1, 2019, with the chairmanship to follow later that spring.

The announcement drew attention across the defense industry and national media. Fortune noted that Warden's appointment would make her one of a small number of women leading Fortune 500 companies, and one of even fewer heading major defense contractors. Industry Week reported on the leadership transition, characterizing it as part of a structured succession plan within the company. Washington Technology similarly reported on the transition and Warden's background in technology-focused defense programs.

During this transitional period, one of Warden's notable responsibilities was overseeing the integration of Orbital ATK into Northrop Grumman. The acquisition of Orbital ATK, completed in June 2018, was a major strategic move that expanded Northrop Grumman's capabilities in rocket propulsion, missile defense, and space systems. The newly acquired business was renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and represented a significant addition to the company's portfolio.

CEO and Chair of Northrop Grumman

Warden officially became CEO and president of Northrop Grumman on January 1, 2019, and assumed the role of chair of the board of directors on April 1, 2019. As of 2026, she continues to serve in the triple role of chair, CEO, and president.

Under Warden's leadership, Northrop Grumman has continued to be a prime contractor on several of the United States' most significant defense programs. Among the most prominent is the B-21 Raider, a next-generation stealth bomber being developed for the United States Air Force. As of early 2026, Warden has publicly discussed the company's expectation to reach an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to accelerate production of the B-21 bomber. According to Aviation Week, Warden linked the potential acceleration of B-21 deliveries to a proposed increase in the program of record, suggesting that expanding production rates and expanding the total fleet size are interconnected objectives. Defense One reported that negotiations between the company and the Air Force were delayed in part by a government shutdown the previous year.

In December 2025, Warden discussed Northrop Grumman's involvement in Project Talon and the Golden Dome missile defense initiative, emphasizing the need for rapid development of military capabilities. These programs reflect the company's expanding role in integrated missile defense and advanced weapons systems under Warden's tenure.

Warden has also addressed Northrop Grumman's strategy regarding its solid rocket motor business, a capability that became part of the company through the Orbital ATK acquisition. In February 2026, she stated that the company was not seeking direct Department of Defense investment for its solid rocket motor production but acknowledged that suppliers in its chain might pursue such funding. Warden noted the "strategic synergy" within the company's portfolio as a reason for maintaining its current ownership structure of those capabilities.

In November 2025, Northrop Grumman announced a chief financial officer transition under Warden's leadership, with the board of directors electing John Greene as the company's new CFO.

Warden has represented Northrop Grumman at major financial and industry conferences during her tenure. In February 2026, she presented at Citi's Global Industrial Tech & Mobility Conference, discussing the company's strategy and outlook.

Personal Life

Warden has maintained a relatively private personal life. She has been involved in community and cultural organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She has served on the board of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a performing arts center in Virginia. She also serves on the Board of Visitors at James Madison University, her undergraduate alma mater.

As chair, CEO, and president of Northrop Grumman, Warden holds stock in the company. In February 2026, she sold 20,000 shares of Northrop Grumman stock, a transaction that was publicly reported through regulatory filings.

Recognition

Warden has received several awards and forms of recognition throughout her career. In 2015, she was named a Federal 100 Award recipient by FCW, an honor recognizing individuals who have had a significant impact on the federal government's use of information technology.

In 2017, Washingtonian magazine named Warden one of the most powerful women in Washington, D.C., reflecting her rising stature in the defense industry and the broader Washington business community.

In 2018, James Madison University's College of Business honored Warden with the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award, one of the college's most significant alumni recognitions. The award was presented in connection with her selection as the next CEO of Northrop Grumman. Also in 2018, she delivered a commencement-related address at JMU.

Her appointment as CEO and president of Northrop Grumman was covered by Fortune, which noted her status as one of a limited number of women leading Fortune 500 companies. The appointment was reported across major business and defense publications, including Bloomberg, The Washington Post, Defense News, Industry Week, and Washington Technology.

Legacy

As of 2026, Warden remains in her leadership role at Northrop Grumman and continues to shape the company's strategic direction. Her tenure has coincided with a period of heightened focus on great-power competition and modernization of the United States military's nuclear triad, of which the B-21 Raider is a central element. The integration of Orbital ATK, which she oversaw first as COO and then as CEO, expanded Northrop Grumman's capabilities in space launch, missile defense, and rocket propulsion, positioning the company as one of the most diversified defense contractors in the United States.

Warden's ascent to the leadership of one of the nation's largest defense firms has been noted in the context of increasing representation of women in senior executive roles within traditionally male-dominated industries. Fortune reported on this dimension of her appointment in 2018, and Washingtonian had previously identified her as among the most powerful women in the Washington region.

Her public remarks in 2025 and 2026 on topics including missile defense architecture, bomber production acceleration, and solid rocket motor supply chains reflect the breadth of strategic issues that Northrop Grumman addresses under her leadership.