For Cindy Harris, leadership has never been about titles or recognition.

As Vice President of Human Resources at Radiance Technologies, she has dedicated her career to building a workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

Her approach centers on service, humility, and integrity—principles that guide how she leads teams and shapes culture.

Family first, leadership always

When asked what she is most proud of, Harris began with family. “

What brings me the greatest joy and reason to be proud is having guided my two children to become responsible adults who make significant contributions to the defense industry in the areas of accounting and engineering. I take pleasure in witnessing their exemplary work ethic, commitment to excellence, and the kindness they show to their co-workers.”

She explained that her children’s success represents more than career achievements—it reflects the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion that she has always believed are the foundation for a meaningful life.

For Harris, seeing them not only excel professionally but also treat others with kindness is a greater accomplishment than any title she has earned.

Harris also pointed to professional milestones.

From a leadership perspective, she described becoming a Vice President at Radiance Technologies, where she leads highly accomplished technical professionals and helps influence career paths and success, as one of her most meaningful achievements.

Under her leadership, Radiance has repeatedly been recognized as one of Huntsville’s best places to work and as a top defense contractor employer nationally.

She views these honors as evidence that investing in employees, valuing their contributions, and fostering servant leadership create long-term organizational strength.

Trailblazers in her corner

When asked about women who inspire her, Harris highlighted the women leaders she works with at Radiance. She described them as trailblazers who set examples of integrity and professionalism.

More than colleagues, they are friends and encouragers who model servant leadership day in and day out.

Harris said these women remind her daily that leadership is about integrity, compassion, and lifting others. Their influence has shaped how she encourages and mentors her own teams, creating a ripple effect of servant leadership throughout the organization.

By following their example, she strives to ensure that the next generation of leaders at Radiance are prepared not just with technical expertise but also with the humility to serve others.

Finding purpose in service

Harris said that two commitments give her a strong sense of purpose in her work.

The first is the responsibility of leading others in ways that affect their well‑being, their contributions, and their career advancement.

The second is Radiance’s mission as a defense contractor: to provide products and services that protect the American Warfighter and our freedom.

She emphasized that serving others, whether within her organization or in the community, provides her work with deep meaning.

“Purpose comes when I see people succeed—when they achieve goals, grow into leadership roles, or gain confidence they didn’t know they had,” she said.

Working in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park near Redstone Arsenal, Harris sees daily how Alabamians support both the local economy and the nation’s defense and space programs.

She explained that this work matters deeply to Alabama because the defense and aerospace industries provide opportunities for families across the state, strengthening both communities and the workforce.

Radiance’s success, she noted, is tied directly to Alabama’s growth, demonstrating how individual companies can help build statewide prosperity.

From engineer to executive

In reflecting on her career journey, Harris described how it began with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she participated in NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Cooperative Education Program.

After completing her degree, she entered the defense industry as an engineer and later completed an M.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Over the years, Harris advanced through roles including Functional Engineering Manager, Project Engineer, Program Manager, and Operations Manager—experiences that prepared her to step into her current role as Vice President and Emerging & Disruptive Technologies Group Manager at Radiance Technologies.

Each of these roles, she explained, helped her develop not only technical expertise but also the leadership skills necessary to guide people and projects with integrity.

Harris said the technical foundation she built early in her career gave her credibility, but it was her willingness to mentor others and invest in relationships that allowed her to grow into a servant leader.

Her story illustrates how combining engineering knowledge with people-focused leadership can shape careers, strengthen organizations, and create opportunities for others to succeed.

Leading with integrity and resilience

Asked which qualities define strong leadership, Harris emphasized three traits: unwavering integrity, genuine concern for employees’ well‑being, and steadfast resilience.

She explained that these qualities allow leaders to build trust, ensure people feel valued, and guide teams through both challenges and successes.

Integrity, she noted, creates trust that enables teams to work together effectively.

Concern for people ensures that employees feel seen and supported, while resilience gives leaders the strength to persevere in difficult times. Harris believes these traits are critical for shaping a workplace where employees can thrive and feel empowered.

Her belief in servant leadership underscores each of these qualities.

For Harris, the measure of leadership is not the accomplishments of one person but the growth of an entire team.

She said her goal is always to create opportunities for others to succeed, to help them learn, and to ensure they have the confidence and resources to reach their potential.

A Woman of Impact

Whether mentoring the next generation, supporting technical teams, or upholding a mission that safeguards the nation, Cindy Harris’s leadership is measured by the people she serves.

Grounded in family and committed to Alabama’s workforce and defense community, her influence is felt in the culture she builds and the lives she helps shape.

Her accomplishments at Radiance, her dedication to mentoring others, and her devotion to her family reflect a legacy defined not by titles but by the impact she has on people.

For Harris, success is seeing others thrive—and that commitment to people is what makes her one of Yellowhammer News‘ 2025 Women of Impact.