Shad Evans KBR Chief Financial Officer

Would you tell us about your career journey?

I would summarize my journey as a compounding series of stretch assignments shaped by curiosity, mentorship and a willingness to adapt as circumstances changed. I began my career in tax at SAIC. Early on, I chose to pursue an MBA part time, only to graduate at the onset of the financial crisis of 2008. The moment tested both my patience and resolve, particularly as I tried to break into finance without direct experience in a smaller market like San Diego, California. Rather than waiting for the “right” opportunity to appear, I focused on learning. I created my own “on-ramp” by taking on valuation and modeling work for the SAIC Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) team in addition to my day job. That experience led to stewardship of a small venture investment portfolio, M&A due diligence, and later incentives and credit strategies tied to business growth. When SAIC announced it was moving its headquarters, a call from Mark Sopp prompted my next step into strategic finance at what would become Leidos. It was an uncomfortable but formative chapter that stretched my capabilities and accelerated my development in financial planning and analysis and capital markets. Wanting a broader perspective, I later sought operational experience. I moved back to San Diego and added contracts and human resources responsibilities to my finance experience in a commercially intense global manufacturing and product environment.

Joining KBR brought those experiences together. Through rotations in operational roles across corporate and Sustainable Technology Solutions, I developed a balance between governance, compliance and business growth, learning to pair enterprise discipline with frontline commercial judgment. Looking back, it wasn’t one defining role but the entirety of the journey — the stretch assignments, the uncertainty and the learning along the way — that ultimately positioned me to step into the chief financial officer role at KBR.

What’s a favorite hobby or pastime?

Travel. Each place leaves its mark, shaping how you see the world as you leave small traces of yourself behind. By stepping into other cultures — sharing their food, stories and experiences — we move beyond surface differences. What remains is understanding, connection and a reminder of the humanity we all share.

What’s your favorite book or movie?

“Shawshank Redemption” has always stayed with me. At its core, it’s a story about friendship, perseverance and grit. But what resonates most is how it treats hope as a quiet act of resistance. In a world that often feels heavy, that message feels especially personal, and especially relevant, right now.

What song gets you hyped up?

I enjoy a wide range of music, but if I had to pick one song right now, it would probably be something in the EDM (electronic dance music) or house music space, like Oskar Med K’s “Make Me Feel.”

What would be the title of your autobiography?

"Before the Title: Character, Commitment, and the Work that Defines a Leader”

What’s something that inspires or motivates you?

I’ve always played team sports, being part of a collective that wins and loses together. For me, there’s something incredibly powerful about building teams that are driven to win but even more committed to showing up every day determined to get better. They work together, not for personal recognition but out of a shared sense of accountability — because they don’t want to let their teammates down.

What’s one piece of advice you frequently give?

Don’t compromise on talent. When accountability slips, it’s your strongest performers who pay the price.

What was the best internship or apprenticeship opportunity you ever had, and why?

I was fortunate to secure a 20-hour-per-week tax internship during my junior year of college at what was then an employee-owned company, SAIC. That opportunity marked the beginning of an 18-year journey that exposed me to multiple corporate and business functions, a spin transaction similar to what we’re undertaking with Mission Tech today, and it ultimately helped build the skills that have served me well at KBR.

Why is it important for KBR to have hands-on internship/apprenticeship opportunities?

I’m a strong believer in on-the-job training. It’s the fastest way to bridge the gap between theory and practical skills, while also building a real understanding of what it takes to be successful within a specific organization, project or role. Just as important — and something that doesn’t get talked about enough — is that working closely with other leaders is how you develop the soft skills that truly matter: how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to engage effectively with clients, peers and teams. Interpersonal skills will be the currency of the future. AI may augment our work, but it will never replace human connection.