Defense Capability Manager
Rolls-Royce Corporation
Kathryn Elliott, the Defense Sector Capability Manager for Performance & AeroThermal Systems at Rolls-
Royce Corporation, holds a BSME from the University of Michigan and has over 35 years’ experience in
Aerospace focusing on gas turbine engine thermodynamic cycle design and analysis, component aero
design, test and aftermarket data analysis. She is a former Chair of the SAE International E-32
Committee which standardizes industry best practice for aerospace propulsion systems health
management, and she serves on the Board of the Prognostics and Health Management Society. She is a
member of the University of Michigan’s Industry Advisory Board for the Aerospace Engineering
Department and has been an invited speaker at the Society of Women Engineers National Conference in
2013, 2018 and 2021. In 2014, Kathy led the launch of the first Rolls-Royce North America employee
resource group, Rolls-Royce Women North America, and has since fostered 7 additional ERGs. She was
recognized with Rolls-Royce Engineering’s “Inspirational Leadership” Award for 2016. She has served as
Mentor and Judge for FIRST Indiana Robotics events for the past 5 years, particularly for the all-girls off-
season event Raising Awareness of Girls in Engineering (Indy RAGE). Kathy is the 2022 recipient of SAE
International’s Rodica BarenescuAward for Excellence in Technology & LeadershipExcellence.
Kathy is passionate about STEM outreach for girls and redefining the journey to success for women.
Along her career path, she has experienced many different work/life styles: full-time, no time, stay-at-
home mom, part-time and full-time working mom, contractor, working from home (decades before
Covid-19!), and as a sole proprietor – all while functioning as an engineer in the aerospace industry.