Maria Harr, MBA, CSM, RHIA

I attribute my success to an unwavering determination to challenge the status quo and a belief that every obstacle presents an opportunity to innovate. Throughout my career, I have refused to accept "that's how it's always been done" when a better solution could create greater impact. Instead, I've focused on solving complex problems, bringing people together, and turning bold ideas into measurable results.

Whether leading healthcare modernization or driving digital transformation in national security, I have learned that meaningful change requires vision, resilience, and the courage to challenge conventional thinking. My greatest accomplishments have come from building high-performing teams, empowering others to lead, and creating environments where innovation thrives.

As a woman in technology, I also believe we should never place limits on our potential. Leadership is not defined by title or gender, but by the impact we make, the people we inspire, and the legacy we leave through the opportunities we create for others. My greatest measure of success is not only the transformation I've helped deliver, but the leaders I've empowered along the way.

The most impactful advice I’ve received is that there are no limits except the ones I place on myself. I’ve also learned that perseverance matters more than permission, and that if I stay focused and committed to my goals, I can create meaningful change regardless of obstacles or resistance.

I always say this to a lot of people: don't take a no for an answer. Really, continue to persevere. Have a vision for yourself. Know that there's no limits, only the limits that you put on yourself. If you work hard and you continue with the path that you see for yourself, and you persevere, you'll get to where you want to be. Even in my new job, when they tell me 'well, I know you're new, this is not the way we do it,' I say 'This is how we're doing it from this point forward, and we're gonna get it done.' I've been able to accomplish so much that now they tell me Maria always doesn't take a no for an answer, she gets it done. As women, we can't put limits on ourselves. We have to be creative, we have to continue to push the status quo so we can be successful and we can show that we can deliver great results and be successful, just like men or anyone in any organization.

One of the biggest opportunities is leveraging emerging technologies like AI, automation, and data analytics to solve complex administrative and operational challenges. At the same time, a key challenge is keeping pace with rapid technological change and ensuring large-scale systems can adapt securely, efficiently, and effectively across government and national security environments.

The values most important to me are perseverance, empowerment, and accountability. I believe in empowering teams to succeed, leading with empathy while maintaining high standards, and staying committed to service—whether to patients, citizens, or the mission of national security and public service.