2025 Leaders in Space & Missile Defense Luncheon
Join us for an inspiring and informative luncheon event spotlighting women leaders in Space & Missile Defense.
The Leaders in Space & Missile Defense Luncheon, presented by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber's Women’s Business Council (WBC), will feature a keynote address followed by a dynamic panel discussion with distinguished professionals who are shaping the future of defense through their leadership, innovation, and dedication.
Our featured speaker will share insights into her personal career path in defense, offering reflections on pivotal moments, challenges overcome, and the evolution of leadership in a high-stakes industry.
Following the keynote, a panel of accomplished women from both government and support contractor roles within the Defense industry will explore key topics, including:
- Navigating a career in defense and transitioning into space and missile defense
- What makes working in and for the government both uniquely challenging and deeply rewarding
- The mindset, skills, and experiences that align best with success
- Defining and developing effective leadership within your fields mission
- The vital role of support contractors in strengthening the defense enterprise
- Leading with clarity and resilience in times of uncertainty
This event is an opportunity to gain valuable career and leadership insights, network with professionals across the defense community, and celebrate the achievements of women advancing national security.
KEYNOTE & PANELIST
Virginia "Ginny" Perkins
MDA Chief Engineer
Ms. Virginia W. Perkins is the Chief Engineer of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) since her appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2024. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing robust engineering processes, ensuring rigorous engineering controls, and providing independent assessments of high-risk events and engineering efforts. These efforts enable the development of a reliable and sustainable Missile Defense System, safeguarding the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight.
Perkins' career spans over two decades, beginning as a Junior Software Engineer on an International Space Station payload for NASA. She transitioned to the defense industry, working as a programmer and systems analyst on the Extended Air Defense Simulation. In 2010, she joined the civil service as the Lead for Analysis and Reporting of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Flight Test Program, where she assessed test objectives for multiple flight tests, including the THAAD’s Initial Operational Test and Evaluation, Flight Test THAAD (FTT)-12, and the first operational flight test of the Missile Defense System, Flight Test Operational (FTO)-01.
Perkins has held various leadership positions throughout her career, including Acting Division Chief, System Software, for the THAAD Systems Engineering Directorate, where she successfully delivered the first version of the THAAD software to the field and implemented over 10 software version upgrades, enhancing capabilities such as debris mitigation and remote launchers. In 2018, she was appointed as MDA's Director of Software Engineering, leading the transition to agile software development and establishing a partnership with the National Air and Space Agency to develop a centralized software independent verification and validation program.
Prior to her current role, she served as MDA's Deputy Chief Engineer, Director for Cyber Engineering, and Director for Test Chief Engineering. Her expertise and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Agency's engineering and software development processes.
Perkins is a native of Pell City, AL and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School.
PANELIST
Sharné Rice
Deputy Product Manager supporting Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems
PEO Missiles & Space
Deputy Product Manager supporting Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems
PEO Missiles & Space
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Monday Aug 4, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Registration closes on July 29 at 5 p.m. CST.
Fees/Admission
Online Registration
Member: $45
Non-member: $60
There will be NO on-site registration for this event.
No refunds will be processed after July 28, 2025. Refunds to credit cards requested prior to this date will be charged a 6% processing fee.
Contact Information
Diana Baccus
256-535-2009
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