Leidos Defense Sector President Cindy Gruensfelder has received her first Wash100 Award, recognizing her leadership in advancing autonomous systems, integrated missile defense capabilities and other defense technologies in support of national security missions.
Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award, presented the honor to Gruensfelder during a recent visit to the Leidos office in Reston, Virginia.
“Being recognized by the Wash100 is a tremendous honor and a testament to the dedication and technical excellence of the entire Leidos Defense team,” Gruensfelder said. “Meeting today’s complex security challenges requires transforming how we harness technology, talent, and partnerships. In close collaboration with the Department of War, we are driving that evolution by accelerating innovation and delivering integrated mission capabilities that strengthen our nation’s security.”
Why Did Cindy Gruensfelder Win the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Gruensfelder earned her first Wash100 Award for driving mission-focused innovation across Leidos’ defense portfolio, helping expand the company’s role in integrated air and missile defense, autonomous maritime systems and hypersonic testing initiatives.
Garrettson highlighted Gruensfelder’s strategic leadership and ability to accelerate the development of advanced defense technologies that support evolving warfighter requirements.
“Cindy’s first Wash100 Award is an exciting and well-earned accomplishment, marking her debut among GovCon’s most respected leaders,” Garrettson said. “At Leidos, Cindy has built a reputation for thoughtful, mission-driven leadership by championing innovative solutions.”
Garrettson pointed to the company’s growing autonomous and undersea capabilities.
“This is personified by the company’s new Sea Dart adaptable unmanned undersea vehicle that strengthens national security and delivers real results for government customers,” Garrettson added.
He also emphasized Gruensfelder’s ability to pair long-term strategy with operational execution across critical defense priorities.
“Cindy brings a steady strategic perspective along with the energy to turn transformative ideas into impact,” Garrettson said. “This inaugural Wash100 recognition not only celebrates what Cindy has accomplished so far, but also signals the bright future and continued influence she is poised to have across federal contracting.”
Under Gruensfelder’s leadership, Leidos continued to expand its role in integrated air and missile defense through key contract wins supporting the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fires Protection Capability Increment 2, or IFPC Inc 2, program and broader homeland missile defense initiatives.
The company also advanced autonomous weapons and hypersonic testing capabilities during the past year, including successful flight demonstrations involving the Black Arrow small cruise missile and reusable hypersonic test systems under the MACH-TB program.
Who Is Cindy Gruensfelder?
Gruensfelder is president of Leidos’ defense sector, overseeing a workforce of more than 9,000 employees delivering advanced aerospace, ground and maritime systems supporting national security missions.
Before joining Leidos, she spent 35 years at Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, where she held senior leadership positions across major defense and weapons programs.
Her previous roles included vice president and general manager of Boeing’s missile and weapon systems division, VP of weapons and deputy program manager for advanced air dominance initiatives.
What Is the Wash100 Award?
Established in 2014, the Wash100 Award honors the most influential executives, government officials and industry leaders shaping the government contracting sector. The annual recognition highlights leaders driving innovation, advancing mission priorities and strengthening collaboration across government and industry.
Check out Gruensfelder’s full 2026 Wash100 Award profile to learn more about her leadership in advancing defense tech innovation and mission-focused capabilities across the GovCon sector.
Executive Mosaic congratulates Cindy Gruensfelder and the entire Leidos team on this significant achievement.
