Diana Cannon
Springfield,VA
Summary
Accomplished Program Manager with over 20 years of experience leading complex, mission-critical U.S. Government initiatives. Expertise spans modernization, IT security, cloud deployments, and enterprise-wide portfolio management. Proven ability to balance technical baselines, security controls, schedule, and cost while driving continuous process improvement and measurable delivery performance. Skilled in establishing execution rhythms, governance, and cross-functional leadership to ensure solutions meet stringent requirements and achieve mission outcomes.
Results-driven professional specializing in program management, known for delivering successful outcomes and fostering collaborative environments. Recognized for strategic planning and problem-solving abilities, consistently meeting and exceeding goals. Relied upon to adapt to changing needs and ensure team alignment.
Experienced with managing large-scale programs and leading cross-functional teams. Utilizes strategic planning to streamline processes and achieve objectives. Track record of effective stakeholder communication and problem-solving.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Program Manager/Engineer
S2 Analytical Solutions
Herndon, VA
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Served as Senior Program Manager/Engineer for a mission-focused U.S. Government customer.
- Led modernization initiatives from requirements through design, integration, verification, and deployment/cutover—balancing technical baselines, security controls, schedule, and cost.
- Established execution rhythms and governance to drive continuous process improvement and measurable delivery performance.
- Led multi-discipline engineering delivery across IT security/data protection, application development, DME, O&M, infrastructure, and enterprise service operations—ensuring solutions met technical, compliance, and mission requirements.
- Coordinated with vendors, cybersecurity, and mission stakeholders to define and validate requirements, manage interfaces/dependencies, and maintain traceability from design through implementation and acceptance.
- Defined project phases, milestones, and integrated master schedules; evaluated plans/specifications to estimate effort, sequence build/integration/test activities, and manage deployment readiness.
- Provided executive-ready status, KPI reporting, and risk/issue briefings to support timely decisions and escalation.
Director Program Management Office
The Aerospace Corporation
El Segundo, California
01.2001 - 12.2022
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive program management strategy that increased project delivery efficiency by 60%, aligning with The Aerospace Corporation’s mission and improving client satisfaction.
- Provided enterprise-wide leadership for a mission-critical portfolio supporting intelligence analysis, data management, and open-source capabilities.
- Directed complex government acquisition efforts, testing and evaluation activities, and end-to-end program execution.
- Championed technical innovation and systems integration by cultivating strategic partnerships with senior government stakeholders.
- Strengthened organizational performance through advanced talent development, operational discipline, and executive-level decision support.
- Architected and institutionalized a comprehensive project management framework that elevated transparency, governance maturity, and delivery consistency across enterprise portfolios.
- Drove large-scale process simplification and automation initiatives that enhanced organizational agility, optimized service delivery, and reduced operational costs.
Senior Program Manager
The Aerospace Corporation
01.2001 - 12.2006
- Developed and maintained project deliverables, ensuring successful completion of projects.
- Facilitated project reviews and post-mortem analysis to ensure best practices were identified and implemented.
- Developed and implemented project management tools and processes to ensure successful project delivery.
- Managed a geographically distributed engineering organization of 61 across U.S. and U.K. divisions, delivering IM/IT modernization for a prominent U.S. Government organization and aligning scope, architecture, and delivery to mission priorities.
- Key areas included bridging time zones, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture across borders, and managing full-lifecycle software development.
- Improved the Government Award Fee score from 82% to 100% over 2 years through disciplined execution, performance management, and stakeholder engagement—contributing to a successful 5-year contract extension.
Education
Master of Arts - Management & Leadership
Webster University
St. Louis, MO05-2010
Bachelor of Arts - Management of Information Systems & Technology
Webster University
St. Louis, MO05-2008
Skills
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Resource Planning
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Program Management (PgMP)
- Strategic Planning
- Lifecycle Management
- Budget Management / Execution
- System Optimization
- Portfolio Backlog
- Cloud Migration
- Time Management
- Process Engineering
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Quality Assurance
- Enterprise Innovation
- Project Management (PMP)
- Software Engineering
- Leadership
- Agile Frameworks / Methodologies
- System Integration
- Organizational Management
- Change Management
- Team Leadership
- Portfolio Management
- Configuration Management
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Issued: July 2000, Expiration: July 2029
- Program Management Professional (PgMP) - Issued: May 2001, Expiration: May 2029
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) - Issued: December 2004, Expiration: December 2029
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM) - Issued: August 2012, Expiration: August 2028
- PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) - Issued: October 2013, Expiration: October 2029
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- DOD Secret Clearance (Inactive, eligible for reinstatement)
- Top Secret/SCI with CI- Poly Clearance (Inactive, eligible for reinstatement)
Timeline
Senior Program Manager/Engineer
S2 Analytical Solutions
01.2022 - 12.2023
Director Program Management Office
The Aerospace Corporation
01.2001 - 12.2022
Senior Program Manager
The Aerospace Corporation
01.2001 - 12.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Management of Information Systems & Technology
Webster University
Master of Arts - Management & Leadership
Webster University