The Fortune 500 Now Has Two Black Women CEOs: Toni Townes-Whitley Becomes SAIC Chief

Toni Townes-Whitley officially became CEO of Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) yesterday, making her one of two Black women currently running a Fortune 500 company.

SAIC provides engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions across the defence, space, civilian and intelligence markets.

In May, the company announced Townes-Whitley would take over from Nazzic Keene, who decided to retire

Townes-Whitley joined SAIC on June 12 to ensure a seamless transition as CEO-elect.

Keene has become Special Executive Advisor to Townes-Whitley and the company until February 2024.

Toni Townes-Whitley – The CEO

Townes-Whitley has a track record of driving strong enterprise financial results and fostering an inclusive culture focused on entrepreneurship and high performance.

Her past roles include President of US Regulated Industries at Microsoft, where she led the company’s public sector and regulated commercial industries, including education, government and healthcare.

Read: No Black Women Left On S&P 500 Following Walgreens CEO Departure

Before Microsoft, she worked at CGI Federal for over four years as Senior Vice President and then President, responsible for a more than $1 billion portfolio.

In an interview with Fast Company, Townes-Whitley spoke on becoming one of just two Black women running a Fortune 500 company, The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association’s (TIAA’s) Thasunda Brown Duckett is the other.

“This is an opportunity for me not only as a female but as an African American female,” she said.

“People like myself and others – we have to show up. We have to demonstrate that we can make this happen. We can grow businesses, understand the top line, bottom line, and all of the shareholder pressures, and deliver. And I think the more that occurs, you’ll start to see some changes.”

SAIC is also the only Black women CEO-led company on the Washington Technology Top 100 list.