Naeher will oversee Aerospace’s business-enabling operations and the execution of corporate priorities. In her role as COO, she will lead multiple divisions including People Operations, Finance, Information Technology (IT), Security, Safety, Facilities, and Communications.
“In today’s complex operating environment, delivering seamless capabilities that enable our team to collaborate, solve hard problems and maximize our impact for our customers is more important than ever,” said Steve Isakowitz, Aerospace president and CEO. “Kathleen brings the proven ability to integrate across business functions and drive the adoption of advanced technologies that will enable us to deliver on our mission at this critical time in space.”
Naeher joins Aerospace with more than 30 years of experience in senior executive roles leading global security and IT organizations. She will succeed Ed Swallow, who held the dual roles of COO and chief financial officer (CFO) for the past three years and will now focus solely on his CFO responsibilities following a transition period.
Her key leadership positions include serving as vice president of Digital Enablement and Collaboration at Leidos, where she oversaw the implementation of cutting-edge technologies and led organizational improvements that enhanced contract performance and client relationships. As chief operating officer of Leidos’ Civil Group, Naeher managed a diverse portfolio spanning NASA, the Department of Justice, and the FAA, achieving significant revenue growth and operational excellence.
Prior to that role, Naeher worked at the Central Intelligence Agency where she spearheaded the transformation of one of the most sophisticated and secure IT infrastructures in the world and drove advancements in cloud adoption, data science and artificial intelligence. She also led critical initiatives to integrate cybersecurity and data management into streamlined C-suite structures, improving efficiency and collaboration across the organization.
Naeher will begin working at Aerospace on Feb. 3, 2025.
About The Aerospace Corporation
The Aerospace Corporation is a national nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center and has more than 4,600 employees. With headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia; a technology campus in El Segundo, California; and major locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Aerospace addresses complex problems across the space enterprise and other areas of national and international significance through agility, innovation, and objective technical leadership. For more information, visit www.aerospace.org. Follow us on LinkedIn and on X: @AerospaceCorp.