In an era when supply chains are tested by global uncertainty and technological shifts are rewriting the rulebook of industry, Leah Gettens stands out as a force for transformational change. With a career rooted in the high-stakes environments of shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense, she combines strategy, innovation, and precision to solve complex challenges. Her work isn’t just about improving operations—it’s about redefining what’s possible in some of the world’s most demanding sectors.
Early Foundations: Education and Formative Values
Leah’s path began with a solid academic foundation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management and Supervision. Her academic years laid the groundwork for her operational focus, preparing her to navigate systems, manage resources efficiently, and think analytically.
But it’s not just technical proficiency that shaped Leah’s career. Her values—fueled by mentorship, volunteerism, and a belief in collective growth—emerged early. She’s been actively involved in organizations like SHE-CAN, Engineers Without Borders USA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, indicating a commitment to both community development and global impact.
The Electric Boat Era: Forging Expertise in Defense and Innovation
Leah Gettens spent over a decade at General Dynamics Electric Boat, a cornerstone of American submarine production and a central player in U.S. defense. Her journey there was more than just upward movement—it was a layered evolution of expertise and leadership.
Senior Process Engineer (2009–2011)
Leah began her tenure as a Senior Process Engineer, where she applied foundational principles in operations management to real-world systems. Her focus was on streamlining workflows, optimizing manufacturing processes, and supporting high-complexity defense projects with engineering rigor.
Supply Chain Strategy and Innovation (2011–2015)
As she advanced into supply chain-focused roles, Leah’s work took on new dimensions. The defense sector demands high-reliability logistics and meticulous tracking of components across timelines that often span years. Leah not only managed these operations but introduced strategic process improvements using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. By this point, her approach was no longer tactical—it was systemic.
Innovation Expert and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
In roles such as Innovation Expert and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Leah transitioned from implementation to transformation. These were not just titles—they signaled her authority in leading enterprise-wide change. She challenged legacy systems, piloted new technologies, and coached cross-functional teams to exceed performance benchmarks. Her focus wasn’t only internal; she was driving change that affected supply chains across the broader defense ecosystem.
Program Management and ERP Leadership (2016–2021)
Toward the latter part of her time at Electric Boat, Leah served as a Program Manager for Oracle ERP systems. This marked her move into digital transformation—overseeing the integration of enterprise resource planning platforms critical to both strategic visibility and operational continuity. This role demanded technical expertise, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to navigate complex defense protocols. She delivered on all fronts, further establishing her as a trusted leader in high-security program management.
Consulting Practice: Innovation with Impact
In June 2021, Leah launched her own journey as an Independent Consultant—a move that allowed her to apply her experience across sectors and clients. Her consulting focuses on the following core areas:
- Supply Chain Strategy: Offering guidance on resilient, adaptive supply chains, particularly in sectors where precision and security are non-negotiable.
- Lean Six Sigma Deployment: Leading companies through Lean transformations that reduce waste, boost efficiency, and improve quality.
- Program and ERP Management: Helping organizations implement or revamp enterprise systems that align business operations with digital infrastructure.
- Innovation Acceleration: Advising teams on how to disrupt industry norms, explore biomimetic design thinking, and embrace bold, actionable ideas.
With a clear focus on Aerospace and Defense, Leah supports businesses that require discipline, agility, and advanced problem-solving. Her clients benefit from her unique ability to understand technical systems while also seeing the broader market implications of every operational choice.
What Makes Leah Gettens Different?
1. Systems Thinking in High-Stakes Industries
Leah’s experience isn’t generic—it’s forged in the fires of national defense and aerospace manufacturing. These industries operate with zero tolerance for failure, and Leah’s strategies reflect the level of foresight, coordination, and compliance required in such environments.
2. Hands-On Innovation
Innovation is not just a buzzword for Leah—it’s a toolset. She has run innovation workshops, led pilot projects, and introduced disruptive ideas that challenge industry status quos. From biomimetic concepts to user-focused design, she draws on both science and creativity to deliver breakthroughs.
3. Operational Agility with Strategic Vision
Leah balances the ability to fine-tune workflows with long-range business planning. Whether leading a Lean Six Sigma overhaul or implementing a new digital system, she connects each move to broader business goals—profitability, customer value, and strategic differentiation.
4. Global Perspective and Social Consciousness
Through her volunteering with Engineers Without Borders and mentorship with SHE-CAN, Leah has cultivated a broad perspective on equity, opportunity, and global development. This awareness informs her work in ways that bring empathy and purpose to industries traditionally focused on performance metrics alone.
Interests that Fuel the Professional Engine
Leah’s personal interests are more than hobbies—they feed directly into her professional creativity. Her love for surfing reflects a deep understanding of flow, rhythm, and adaptation—principles that apply surprisingly well to organizational change. Her focus on biomimetics speaks to her appreciation of nature’s intelligence in solving engineering problems. And her commitment to healthy living mirrors her commitment to sustainable, resilient systems.
These interests create an edge. In a corporate world often stuck in rigid frameworks, Leah brings fluid, holistic thinking that enables teams to reimagine their challenges.
The Role of Mentorship and Volunteering
Leah’s contributions go beyond boardrooms and factory floors. As a mentor with SHE-CAN, she supports women from post-conflict countries to become leaders in their communities. With Engineers Without Borders, she channels her technical skills into humanitarian outcomes. And through Big Brothers Big Sisters, she gives back to the next generation in deeply personal ways.
These roles speak to a core belief in capacity-building—not just for teams or organizations, but for individuals, regardless of background. That same belief drives her consulting work: helping companies build internal capability, not just outsourcing solutions.
Vision for the Future
Leah Gettens is positioned at a compelling intersection: where defense meets innovation, where systems meet creativity, and where strategic intent meets operational excellence. As digital transformation accelerates and global challenges reshape supply chains, leaders like Leah become more essential than ever.
Her future work is likely to continue pushing boundaries—exploring advanced materials, smarter systems, and new frameworks of value delivery. Whether it’s integrating artificial intelligence into defense logistics, applying biomimicry in product design, or mentoring young engineers, Leah’s influence will be both deep and wide.
She doesn’t just respond to change—she designs for it.
Conclusion
Leah Gettens exemplifies what it means to lead with both vision and action. Her story is not just about technical roles or management titles—it’s about what happens when a professional dedicates their expertise to helping others evolve. In her roles at Electric Boat, in her consulting practice, and through her community work, Leah shows that success isn’t about standing still—it’s about constantly adjusting, rethinking, and growing.