Charisse Quesada
Charisse Quesada is an accomplished executive in Contract Management with extensive experience across government, commercial, and international sectors. She serves as Director of Contracts, overseeing contracts teams supporting the corporation, business sectors, subsidiaries, and multiple high-value programs in national security, missile defense, and space initiatives. Charisse provides direct advisement to executive leadership, manages high-volume contracts portfolios, and leads complex negotiations while ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and other regulatory requirements. Her expertise spans full life-cycle contract management, subcontract administration, OTAs, bid protests, claims, and international programs, consistently delivering value-added solutions and positive financial outcomes. Charisse’s career in contract management began in San Diego, and has since taken her across the country and international. She genuinely enjoys Contracts because of the tangible impact she can make. Over the past 25 years, Charisse has worked across management consulting and the defense industry in senior leadership roles—including Booz Allen Hamilton, SRA International, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin—deliberately seeking diverse experience in advanced technologies and programs, from satellites and hypersonics to fleet ballistic missiles, submarine communications, undersea surveillance systems, cryptography, and aerospace programs like the F-22, F-35, B2 and B21. Most of her responsibilities involve contracts portfolios valued in the hundreds of millions or billions, supporting warfighters across all branches of the military and in the classified realm. Throughout her career, Charisse has consistently led high-performing teams and driven organizational success, achieving capture wins ranging from $30 million to $2 billion. She has held senior leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies and is widely recognized for her expertise in Contract Management, business development, capture strategy, risk mitigation, and mentoring the next generation of contract professionals. Her leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the ATHENA Pinnacle Award, San Diego Business Journal’s Women of the Year, San Diego Magazine Women Who Move the City, and inclusion in Who’s Who in America. Charisse combines legal, strategic, and operational expertise with a visionary approach, consistently driving excellence, innovation, and organizational growth.
• U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance - TS-SCI; SI,TK, HUMINT, GAMMA; SAP; CI-Poly
• National University - BS, Criminal Justice
• Classified Award for Essential Personnel Work During Iraq War
• 2019 San Diego Business Journal - Business Women of the Year Awards
• ASENA San Diego Pinlico Awards (Multiple Times)
• Honored Listee,
Marquis Who's Who
• 2019 San Diego Magazine - "Celebrating Women" Awards - Defense Industry category
• Women in Defense
• NCMA (National Contract Management Association)
• NDIA
• AFCEA
• ATHENA
• Lockheed Martin Leadership Association (LMLA)
• Women in Defense (WID)
• Wounded Warrior Project
• Operation Homefront
• Athena
• National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
• American Heart Association Go Red for Women Campaign
• Women In Defense
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to preparation, innovative mindset, continuous learning, and commitment to high-performance. Leading high-performing teams is also a factor. I'm the type of leader that does everything I can to make the mission and team successful. It really takes a team to accomplish large efforts. I also believe continuous learning is key - not just in my area of expertise, but also in leadership. Believe in yourself, know your value, dare to pursue your dreams!
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came from a mentor. She was a former naval officer. She emphasized the importance of believing in yourself and your ability. She gave me the guidance and support I needed, drawing from her own journey and passing that forward to me. This basic concept combined with her practical advice/guidance was pivotal for my career. Now, I pass this on to those I mentor.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Contract Management is a fantastic profession and you can make a very successful career in contracts, especially if you're cleared (security clearance). First and foremost, believe in yourself. Understand the mission and customers you are supporting - we're ultimately supporting the warfighter and developing technology for all branches of the military. It is critical, that you understand the Mission, believe in it, and get behind it. Be deliberate with career growth. Put the work in to be your personal best and competent in your chosen profession. Demonstrate you can do the work, and you'll get recognized. Be innovative - think outside the box, resilient, and share your expertise. Know your "Why". Live Your life with Purpose.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Defense and Space is well positioned for growth and this represents a huge opportunity for industry. Understand your customers strategic initiatives and highest priority programs. This represents both the evolution of technology and new opportunities in the defense, national security space and intelligence sectors. Women are still the minority in many industries and at the leadership table. We have made progress but still need to see increased representation. Know the power and importance of representation. Make an impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in the workplace are Trust, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, Inclusion, Customer Mission Success. Understanding and supporting the mission. Understand the Mission - supporting the warfighter and developing technology that's critical for our national security. I have a real conviction about the mission and supporting the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Special Operations, and the intelligence community. Another core value is representation and trailblazing the way for women in our industry. I have been referred to as the pint-sized power house in a male-dominated industry. I was often the only woman at the table early in my career and value having a seat at the Leadership table. I'm appreciative of the mentors throughout my journey. I hope I can inspire others along the way. Personally, I admire integrity, humility in others, kindness and live my life with no regrets. Just Gratitude.
Locations
United States, FL 00000