Noreen Qamar
Noreen Qamar is a Senior Technical Program Leader with more than 15 years of experience driving enterprise-scale technology initiatives across federal, defense, and commercial sectors. Currently with Cognitive Medical Systems, Inc., she is known for aligning multimillion-dollar programs with organizational strategy, strengthening governance frameworks, and delivering measurable business and mission outcomes. Her expertise spans IT modernization, government contracting, and large-scale Agile and hybrid delivery, with a consistent ability to translate complexity into clear, actionable execution.
Throughout her career, Noreen has led high-impact transformation programs, including critical modernization efforts for agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. She has successfully guided cross-functional teams through high-stakes change, rebuilt mission-critical systems, and overseen cloud migrations and Agile transformations that improved delivery predictability by 30–40%. Skilled in Scrum, SAFe, and Kanban, she excels at scaling Agile across multi-program portfolios while fostering collaboration, accountability, and transparency.
Recognized for her strategic foresight and hands-on leadership, Noreen is adept at designing governance and oversight tools that enhance decision-making and operational visibility, including executive dashboards, RAID logs, and change control frameworks. Complementing her corporate leadership, she is also the founder of The Crescent Bloom Co., a creative lifestyle venture, and has held long-standing volunteer leadership roles focused on mentorship and community building. Now positioned for advancement into a Director-level Program Leadership role, Noreen brings a rare combination of technical rigor, strategic insight, and people-centered leadership to every organization she serves.
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Strayer University - BBA
• Capital City Connections
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my daughter, who is my greatest source of motivation. Her ambition and drive inspire me to push forward, stay focused, and continually strive for excellence. Everything I do is grounded in the desire to lead by example and build a future that reflects resilience, purpose, and determination.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to keep my eye on the ball and stay focused. With clarity, discipline, and persistence, I’ve learned that anything you truly want to achieve is possible.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is simple: go get it. Don’t be intimidated by anyone or anything around you. Stay focused on your own growth, trust your abilities, and move forward with confidence and purpose.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is managing diverse personalities while effectively leveraging each individual’s strongest skills. When approached thoughtfully, this diversity becomes a powerful advantage, driving collaboration, innovation, and stronger overall performance.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are the values most important to me, both professionally and personally. I believe in doing the right thing—even when no one is watching—and letting that principle guide my decisions, relationships, and leadership.
Locations
Cognitive Medical Systems, Inc.
Sterling, VA