For Cindy Harris, true leadership transcends titles or accolades.

As the Vice President of Human Resources at Radiance Technologies, she has committed her career to fostering a workplace where employees feel appreciated, supported, and empowered.

Her guiding principles include service, humility, and integrity, which significantly influence team dynamics and organizational culture.

First, family; always leadership

When asked about her greatest pride, Harris immediately mentioned her family. “What fills me with the most joy is seeing my two children grow into responsible adults who are making meaningful contributions in the defense sector, particularly in accounting and engineering. Their work ethic, commitment to excellence, and kindness toward others make me proud,” she said.

She believes their success reflects more than just professional achievements; it embodies the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion that she holds dear.

Watching them excel not just in their careers but also in how they treat others feels like a more significant achievement to her than any honor she has received.

Professionally, she also highlighted a critical milestone: becoming Vice President at Radiance. Leading a team of highly skilled professionals and positively influencing their career paths is, for her, a substantial professional success.

Under her direction, Radiance has consistently been recognized as one of the best places to work in Huntsville and as a leading employer in the defense industry across the nation.

She regards these accolades as signs of the company’s commitment to investing in its employees and cultivating servant leadership.

The pioneers in her corner

When discussing the women who inspire her, Harris pointed to the female leaders at Radiance. She described them as trailblazers who exemplify integrity and professionalism.

They are not just colleagues; they are friends and supporters who embody the principles of servant leadership daily.

These women remind her that true leadership revolves around integrity, compassion, and uplifting others—values that shape how she encourages her team, creating a ripple effect of servant leadership throughout the organization.

Following their lead, she aims to prepare the next generation of leaders at Radiance, ensuring they have not only the technical skills but also the humility required to serve others.

Finding purpose in service

Harris mentioned that her work is fueled by two commitments that provide her with a strong sense of purpose.

Firstly, she feels a responsibility to guide others in ways that enhance their well-being and help their career progression.

Secondly, she embraces Radiance’s mission as a national defense contractor, which is to deliver products and services that safeguard American service members and our freedoms.

She underscored that serving others—both within her organization and in the community—adds profound meaning to her role.

“True purpose is found when you witness others succeeding, achieving their goals, stepping into leadership roles, and gaining confidence they didn’t realize they possessed,” she remarked.

Working at Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, close to Redstone Arsenal, Harris observes how the defense industry supports both the local economy and national interests.

She shared that these sectors are crucial for Alabama, providing jobs for families and bolstering community strength.

The growth of Radiance correlates with Alabama’s overall prosperity, illustrating how individual businesses can contribute to wider economic success.

From engineers to leaders

Reflecting on her career, Harris recounted her journey that began with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she participated in the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Cooperative Education Program.

After obtaining her degree, she entered the defense sector as an engineer and later pursued an MS in Electrical Engineering.

Throughout her career, she has advanced through various positions, including Functional Engineering Manager, Project Engineer, Program Manager, and Operations Manager.

Harris explained that each of these roles not only honed her technical expertise but also helped her develop the leadership skills necessary to guide people and projects with integrity.

She emphasized that while her technical background provided her with credibility, her desire to mentor others and build relationships allowed her to evolve into a servant leader.

Her journey illustrates that blending engineering know-how with a people-centric approach can transform careers, strengthen companies, and create pathways for others to excel.

Leading with integrity and resilience

When asked about the attributes that define effective leadership, Harris identified three key traits: unwavering integrity, genuine concern for employee welfare, and unyielding resilience.

She indicated that these characteristics help leaders build trust, ensure employees feel valued, and navigate challenges alongside their teams.

Integrity fosters trust that allows teams to collaborate effectively.

A focus on employee welfare ensures that staff feel acknowledged and supported, while resilience equips leaders to persevere through tough times. She believes these traits are essential for cultivating an environment where employees can truly thrive.

Her commitment to servant leadership reflects each of these principles.

For Harris, true leadership is gauged not just by individual accomplishments but by the collective growth of the team.

Her aspiration is to create opportunities for others, facilitate learning, and equip them with the confidence and resources needed to achieve their full potential.

A remarkable woman

Whether she is nurturing the next wave of leaders, supporting technical teams, or fulfilling a mission to safeguard the nation, Harris measures her leadership by the impact on those she serves.

Her influence resonates through the culture she fosters and the lives she shapes, grounded in her family values and commitment to Alabama’s workforce and defense community.

The achievements she has made at Radiance, her dedication to mentoring, and her family commitment reflect a legacy built not on titles but on the relationships she has nurtured.

For Harris, success means seeing others flourish, making her a prominent figure recognized by the community.