Denise Harris, Director of Industrial Base Strategy

Denise Harris is a dynamic defense leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing national security through innovation in supply chain risk assessment, advanced manufacturing, industrial base resilience and disruptive technology development. She has built and led high-impact, multi-mission organizations within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), driving enterprise-level programs such as centralized Diminishing Manufacturing Shortages and Material Shortages (DMSMS) management, disruptive technology development, and the development of cutting-edge supply chain analytics tools. Known for her ability to transform pilot concepts into enterprise capabilities, Denise has directed over $35 million in strategic manufacturing initiatives, represented across OUSD(A&S) and OUSD(R&E) working groups, and served as a principal voice in national industrial base and manufacturing forums. Her career spans systems engineering, systems integration, and technology programs including additive manufacturing, microelectronics, directed energy/lidar and advanced sensor systems. As the Director of Industrial Base Strategy at Iron Will Ventures, she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen the defense industrial base through supply chain resiliency, advanced manufacturing acceleration, workforce and technology development.  She is a graduate of the Momentum Executive Leadership program and volunteers on the Momentum Executive Leadership Steering Committee and as a mentor.