Years of Executive Impact
Career spans enterprise IT leadership, cybersecurity governance, digital transformation, portfolio management, manufacturing systems, and healthcare information technology.
Enterprise IT Strategy · Digital Transformation · AI & Cloud Modernization · Cybersecurity Architecture · TS/SCI Cleared
Maria
Henderson
// Senior IT & Cyber Director · Enterprise Digital Transformation Executive · $360M+ Portfolio · PMP · Defense & Aerospace
Visionary technology executive with 20+ years leading enterprise IT infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, digital transformation, and organizational redesign across defense, aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare environments. Maria currently leads classified IT solutions strategy at Northrop Grumman and brings a track record of aligning C-suite priorities with enterprise architecture, fiscal stewardship, compliance, and modern workforce development across a $360M+ combined portfolio and 2,100+ professionals.
20+ Years Leadership
$360M+ Combined Portfolio
2,100+ Professionals Led
30% Delivery Speed Gain
TS-SCI · Polygraph Cleared
20+
Years of executive leadership across enterprise IT, cybersecurity, digital transformation, manufacturing systems, and mission-critical operations
$360M+
Combined portfolio accountability spanning enterprise strategy, infrastructure investment, compliance, affordability, and operating performance
2,100+
Professionals led across classified solutions, IT operations, cybersecurity, program execution, and enterprise workforce development
30%
Program delivery speed gain achieved through AI, cloud, and next-generation automation in regulated environments
// 01
By the Numbers
Combined Portfolio
Leads enterprise and sector-level strategy, investment planning, compliance, and operational execution across a large-scale, mission-critical technology portfolio.
Professionals Led
Built and guided large, geographically dispersed technical organizations while strengthening leadership pipelines, accountability, and execution culture.
Delivery Speed Gain
Accelerated delivery through AI, cloud, automation, and enterprise operating model improvements without compromising security and compliance.
// 02
Operational Highlights
Redesigned Enterprise Classified IT Operating Models
Architected and led large-scale reorganizations that unified classified and unclassified operating structures, standardized governance, and strengthened enterprise agility across Northrop Grumman environments.
Org Design
Executive Strategy
Classified IT
Agile Execution
Modernized Mission Environments with Next-Gen Technology
Led integration of AI, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and automation into highly regulated environments, improving program delivery speed by 30% while preserving mission assurance.
AI
Cloud
Automation
HPC
Advanced Compliance Across High-Consequence Environments
Directed cybersecurity and compliance initiatives aligned to NIST 800-171, DFARS, RMF, JSIG, and related standards, enabling secure modernization without disrupting engineering, manufacturing, or program delivery operations.
NIST 800-171
DFARS
RMF
JSIG
Built Foundations for Smart Factory Transformation
Unified siloed technology organizations, advanced Factory of the Future initiatives, expanded data ingestion capacity, and standardized delivery across multiple manufacturing and engineering environments.
Smart Factory
Manufacturing IT
Data Platforms
Enterprise Integration
// 03
Experience
2023 — Present
Enterprise Strategy · Classified Solutions · Executive Leadership
Senior IT & Cyber Director | Classified IT Solutions Lead
Northrop Grumman · Space Systems Sector & Enterprise CIDO · McLean, Virginia
- Leads enterprise and sector strategy for classified IT solutions across a 2,100+ person organization and a $360M+ combined portfolio.
- Delivers enterprise-wide architecture, fiduciary management, and compliance frameworks that scale across complex, high-security environments.
- Drives AI, cloud, automation, and next-generation technology adoption to improve delivery speed and mission performance.
- Presents strategy to senior executives and board-level stakeholders while building talent pipelines and modern leadership culture.
2020 — 2023
Division IT & Cyber Leadership · Investment Strategy · Compliance
Enterprise Services Program IT Director | Division IT & Cyber Lead
Northrop Grumman · Space Systems Sector CIO · Linthicum, Maryland
- Spearheaded reorganization of enterprise classified IT and cyber operations, replacing siloed structures with a unified, sector-aligned delivery model.
- Established CIO investment strategy for NCTA and Capital planning across a $73.3M portfolio, aligning technology objectives with growth and affordability.
- Led division-wide cybersecurity overhauls to meet NIST 800-171 and DFARS requirements without disrupting engineering and manufacturing operations.
- Directed large teams of program managers and IT/security professionals while aligning roadmaps, funding, and technical execution with business priorities.
2018 — 2020
Infrastructure Modernization · Capital Management · Enterprise Alignment
Enterprise Services IT Manager | Division Deputy IT Director
Northrop Grumman · Mission Systems Sector CIO · Linthicum, Maryland
- Established division IT strategy aligned with enterprise services, corporate priorities, and financial commitments.
- Orchestrated complex architecture overhauls and data center migrations across heritage environments.
- Managed integrated planning, monitoring, and control activities across a $10.5M operating baseline.
- Partnered with executive leadership to accelerate digital transformation and enterprise alignment.
2015 — 2018
Manufacturing IT · Digital Transformation · Vendor Management
Sector Manufacturing IT Systems Manager | Deputy IT Director
Northrop Grumman · Mission Systems Sector Manufacturing · Linthicum, Maryland
- Unified three siloed organizations into one structure, enabling cross-functional collaboration across 11 manufacturing sites.
- Advanced Smart Factory and Factory of the Future initiatives through cross-sector technology planning and execution.
- Achieved NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS compliance across 14 manufacturing locations.
- Managed third-party PLM and Manufacturing IT vendor relationships to sustain performance and service quality.
2014 — 2015
Process Leadership · Governance · Migration Programs
EM&L Process Initiatives Manager | Deputy Process Initiatives Director
Northrop Grumman · Electronic Systems Sector · Linthicum, Maryland
- Led cross-sector process engineering teams and managed sector-wide initiative alignment.
- Directed phased SharePoint migrations and governed planning, scope, and distributed execution across $2M–$3.5M budgets.
- Supported CMMI appraisals and process maturity efforts across technical organizations.
- Evaluated and recommended technology solutions that improved engineering, manufacturing, and logistics operations.
2012 — 2014
Business Analysis · SDLC Governance · Mission Systems
Senior Business Process Analyst
Northrop Grumman · Information Systems · Windsor Mills, Maryland
- Facilitated quarterly SDLC releases and change request governance for mission-critical federal data platforms.
- Served as liaison between end users, IT teams, and executive stakeholders for complex, multi-agency systems.
- Documented requirements using structured enterprise methods and supported high-consequence delivery timelines.
- Recognized for resolving complex change requests with creative technical solutions that kept the program on target.
// 04
Credentials & Qualifications
Clearance
Active TS-SCI · Polygraph Cleared
Trusted to lead mission-critical initiatives inside classified environments where governance, resilience, and precision are non-negotiable.
Project Leadership
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Accumentum-linked PMP achievement reinforces executive program discipline, stakeholder alignment, fiscal control, and structured delivery at enterprise scale.
Frameworks & Standards
RMF · NIST · JSIG · DFARS · CMMC · FedRAMP
Experience spans NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, DAAPM, JSIG, DFARS, CMMC, FedRAMP, Agile/SAFe, CMMI Level 5, and ITIL-aligned operating environments.
Executive Core Competencies
Enterprise Strategy, Org Design, P&L, Workforce Leadership
Combines enterprise IT strategy, change management, fiscal governance, risk management, talent development, stakeholder leadership, and digital modernization execution.
// 05
Technical Skills
// Enterprise Strategy & Governance
Executive Leadership Capability
Enterprise IT StrategyCore
Portfolio ManagementAdvanced
Fiscal Governance / P&LAdvanced
Stakeholder ManagementCore
// Cybersecurity & Compliance
Risk and Regulatory Leadership
Cybersecurity ArchitectureAdvanced
RMF / NIST / DFARSCore
FedRAMP / CMMC ReadinessStrong
Risk ManagementAdvanced
// Transformation & Modernization
Digital Acceleration
Digital TransformationCore
Cloud & AI ModernizationAdvanced
Enterprise Org DesignAdvanced
Change ManagementStrong
// Delivery, People & Scale
Execution at Enterprise Scope
Workforce LeadershipCore
Talent DevelopmentAdvanced
Vendor ManagementStrong
SDLC / Agile / SAFeStrong
// 06
Let’s Put Maria To Work
Best aligned for CIO, enterprise IT, digital transformation, cybersecurity governance, classified solutions, portfolio leadership, and executive technology roles that require strategic clarity, fiscal discipline, compliance rigor, and high-trust delivery in defense and regulated environments.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maria-henderson-pm
Location: McLean, Virginia
Clearance: TS-SCI · Polygraph Cleared
// 07
Education
Accumentum®
Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMP preparation and achievement reinforce Maria’s structured approach to enterprise delivery, executive stakeholder alignment, and transformation governance.
Liberty University
Doctor of Business Administration (In Progress)
Current doctoral study supports deeper alignment between enterprise strategy, organizational leadership, emerging technology, and executive decision-making.
Brenau University
Master of Business Administration · Project Management
Graduate education strengthens Maria’s foundation in program leadership, financial stewardship, organizational performance, and enterprise execution.
Norfolk State University / Tidewater Community College
Business Administration & Management Information Systems
Academic background combines business administration and information systems, supporting a career built at the intersection of technology, operations, and strategy.
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