Kristie Cunningham

Kristie Cunningham is senior vice president of Communications for BAE Systems, Inc., which employs approximately 35,000 employees in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Israel and South Africa, and generated 2013 revenues of $11.8 billion.

She is responsible for leading all external and internal communications activities for BAE Systems, Inc. — developing and executing communications strategies and delivering compelling and innovative messages across a full range of media and distribution channels. As a member of the Inc. Senior Leadership Team and Global Communications Council, she directs media relations, employee engagement, marketing communications, and community investment activities to shape and enhance how employees, customers, and other external stakeholders view BAE Systems.

Cunningham is a successful communications professional with more than 20 years of experience developing and executing high-impact communications strategies that increase understanding of business objectives and drive employee engagement.

She joined BAE Systems in 2010 as vice president of Employee Engagement. Later, Cunningham held a dual position leading global employee engagement for BAE Systems plc in London, while still serving in her similar role for the U.S.-based business. In this position, she led international teams to support strategic business initiatives, promote collaboration across our diverse workforce, and foster employees’ understanding and pride in the work they do for our customers.

Prior to joining BAE Systems, she served as a director of Communications at Northrop Grumman, where she oversaw marketing communications, executive and employee communications, and media relations. Before joining the defense and aerospace industry, Cunningham spent nearly a decade in multiple communications leadership roles at AOL, and earlier in her career she held various communications positions at MCI WorldCom, the Personal Communications Industry Association and the Washington Times.

Cunningham holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from James Madison University and is also a graduate of the CEO Leadership Program designed and led by Linda Hudson, former president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. In addition, Cunningham is active in the community and currently serves on the board of directors of 501cTECH, a nonprofit organization that enables fellow nonprofits to leverage innovative technologies to achieve their missions.