Leonardo Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Leonardo has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, and administrative coordination.

Focused on advancing global aerospace capabilities, Leonardo delivers sophisticated defense electronics and aeronautics solutions to secure critical infrastructure and support international security missions across diverse markets.

Leadership Roles at Leonardo

  • Chief Executive Officer - Vadm Amerault
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Matthew Keegan
  • Chief Financial Officer - Jean Najem
  • Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) - Kevin Purcell
  • President - Paul Gillard
  • PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) - Kimberly Piersig
  • Vadm Amerault - Chief Executive Officer

    Vadm Amerault, the Chief Executive Officer at Leonardo, directs the overarching strategic vision for global aerospace and defense operations. Vadm Amerault manages the integration of complex helicopter and aeronautics systems to ensure market dominance. By aligning corporate objectives with international security requirements, the Chief Executive Officer drives long-term growth and technological innovation. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to optimize resource allocation across European and global manufacturing hubs. Through rigorous oversight of defense electronics development, the Chief Executive Officer maintains high standards for product reliability and mission success. The Chief Executive Officer also monitors competitive landscapes to identify emerging opportunities in space defense systems. By fostering partnerships with government agencies, the Chief Executive Officer secures vital contracts that sustain the company's industrial footprint. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that all business units operate with maximum efficiency to deliver superior value to stakeholders.

    Matthew Keegan - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Matthew Keegan, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Leonardo, executes the operational roadmap for the company's diverse portfolio of security electronics and defense systems. Matthew Keegan oversees the execution of large-scale aeronautics projects, ensuring alignment with global safety standards and performance benchmarks. By managing cross-functional teams, the President & Chief Executive Officer accelerates the deployment of advanced defense technologies into international markets. This role requires constant engagement with regional directors to synchronize production schedules and supply chain logistics. The President & Chief Executive Officer also champions research initiatives that push the boundaries of aerospace engineering. Through strategic planning, the President & Chief Executive Officer mitigates operational risks while maximizing output across all manufacturing facilities. By maintaining a focus on innovation, the President & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the company's competitive position in the global security sector. This leadership approach guarantees consistent delivery of high-performance solutions to defense clients worldwide.

    Jean Najem - Chief Financial Officer

    Jean Najem, the Chief Financial Officer at Leonardo, manages the fiscal health and capital structure of the entire aerospace and defense organization. Jean Najem directs financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance. By analyzing market trends, the Chief Financial Officer provides critical insights that inform investment decisions in new space defense technologies. This leadership role involves coordinating with executive peers to allocate capital toward high-growth aeronautics projects. The Chief Financial Officer also oversees risk management strategies to protect the company against currency fluctuations and geopolitical instability. Through meticulous financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of global operations and the acquisition of key security electronics assets. By maintaining strong relationships with investors and financial institutions, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary funding to drive long-term innovation. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the financial stability required to sustain complex, multi-year defense contracts.

    Kevin Purcell - Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US)

    Kevin Purcell, the Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) at Leonardo, oversees the financial operations specifically for the electronics division within the North American market. Kevin Purcell manages cost accounting, revenue recognition, and financial forecasting for complex security electronics projects. By implementing rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) ensures that all defense contracts remain profitable and compliant with government regulations. This role involves collaborating with engineering leads to optimize the cost structure of advanced sensor and communication systems. The Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) also monitors regional market dynamics to adjust financial strategies in response to shifting defense priorities. Through detailed analysis of project margins, the Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) identifies opportunities for operational efficiency and waste reduction. By providing accurate financial data, the Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US) empowers the leadership team to make informed decisions that enhance the company's technological edge in the competitive electronics sector.

    Paul Gillard - President

    Paul Gillard, the President at Leonardo, leads the commercial expansion and business development efforts for the company's aerospace and defense portfolio. Paul Gillard drives the pursuit of new contracts by identifying emerging requirements in global security and aeronautics. By cultivating relationships with key government and private sector clients, the President secures a robust pipeline of projects for the company's helicopter and defense systems. This leadership role involves defining the go-to-market strategy for new product lines and ensuring that sales teams possess the necessary resources to succeed. The President also collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer to align commercial goals with the company's overall manufacturing capacity. Through strategic market analysis, the President identifies geographic regions where the company can increase its presence and influence. By focusing on customer satisfaction and long-term partnership development, the President ensures that the company remains the preferred provider of advanced defense solutions. Ultimately, the President delivers the revenue growth necessary to support continuous innovation.

    Kimberly Piersig - PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA)

    Kimberly Piersig, the PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) at Leonardo, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates communication across the North American operational theater. Kimberly Piersig manages the administrative infrastructure that supports the development of helicopter and security systems. By streamlining internal processes, the PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) ensures that leadership decisions translate into actionable tasks for regional teams. This role involves managing high-level projects that bridge the gap between corporate strategy and local manufacturing execution. The PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) also organizes board-level meetings and tracks progress on key performance indicators related to aerospace production. Through effective stakeholder management, the PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) maintains alignment between the Philadelphia operations and the global headquarters. By optimizing daily operations, the PA, Chief of Staff (Philadelphia, USA) enables the executive team to focus on long-term growth and the successful delivery of defense solutions to domestic and international clients.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Leonardo Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Leonardo?
    Leonardo is led by Vadm Amerault (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Matthew Keegan (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Jean Najem (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Leonardo’s executive team?
    The executive team of Leonardo includes leaders such as Vadm Amerault (Chief Executive Officer), Matthew Keegan (President & Chief Executive Officer), Jean Najem (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Leonardo have?
    Leonardo has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Leonardo’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Leonardo includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Leonardo Electronics (US), President.