With over 30 years of government service, McFarland is widely recognized as a leading subject-matter expert on government acquisition, program management and procurement. She is currently the president of Blue Oryx Inc., a consulting services firm. Previously, McFarland served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics & Technology as the Army’s Service Acquisition Executive and Chief Science Advisor. Prior to her political appointments, McFarland held roles as the President of the Defense Acquisition University, and the Director for Acquisition at the Missile Defense Agency.

McFarland currently serves as a director on the board of Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAIC), which had acquired Engility Holdings, Inc., where she previously served as a director. McFarland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Queen’s University, a master’s degree in program management from the Program Management Institute, and an honorary doctoral degree in engineering from Cranfield University.