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Leaders in Defence: Leanne Caret, a former CEO of Boeing Defence, Space & Security

Updated: Sep 17, 2023

Leanne Caret is a former CEO of Boeing Defence, Space & Security, a division of Boeing that specialises in defence and aerospace products and services. She served as CEO from 2015 to 2020, and during her tenure, she was responsible for leading the division's strategy and operations, as well as driving growth and profitability.




Under Caret's leadership, Boeing Defence, Space & Security experienced significant growth and expansion. During her tenure, the division secured several major contracts, such as the $4.9 billion contract to provide T-X trainer jets to the U.S. Air Force and the $2.1 billion contract to provide the U.S. Navy with P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Caret also made efforts to increase the division's international presence, with an emphasis on expanding into the Asia-Pacific market. This helped to diversify the division's revenue stream and to tap into new markets, which helped to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations in the U.S. Additionally, Caret led the division to expand its services to include cyber security and intelligence, which helped to strengthen the division's overall offerings and competitiveness.


Caret's tenure as CEO of Boeing Defence, Space & Security was not without its challenges, however. She faced criticism and scrutiny over the division's handling of the 737 MAX crisis, which resulted in the grounding of the aircraft model following two deadly crashes. Despite this, Caret remained committed to ensuring the safety of the 737 MAX and worked to regain the trust of customers and regulators. Caret also had to navigate the division through the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on the aerospace industry. In 2022, Caret announced her retirement from the position.


One of the key aspects of Caret's leadership style is her emphasis on innovation. As CEO, she prioritised the development of new technologies and products to stay ahead of the competition.

She also fostered a culture of innovation within the division by encouraging employees to think creatively and take risks. This helped to drive the division's growth and expansion during her tenure.


Caret is also known for her collaborative leadership style. She fostered a culture of teamwork and cooperation within the division, and she encouraged employees to work together to achieve common goals. She was also known for her strong relationships with customers and suppliers, which helped to build trust and collaboration. Additionally, Caret was known for her transparency and open communication with employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders, which helped to build a sense of trust and accountability within the organisation.




Another feature of Caret's leadership style is her ability to lead under pressure. Caret faced criticism and scrutiny over the division's handling of the 737 MAX crisis and had to navigate the division through the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on the aerospace industry. Her ability to lead under pressure, her focus on innovation and collaboration, and her commitment to transparency and open communication were hallmarks of her leadership style.


The recent announcement from Leanne Caret is she has recently joined the Board of Directors of the Raytheon Board. This move highlights her expertise and experience in the industry, and her ability to provide valuable insights and guidance to the company.

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