Melanie Rakita

Melanie ("Mel") Rakita is Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for L3Harris Technologies. Rakita has responsibility for all human resources (HR) activities for the enterprise including employee and industrial relations, talent acquisition, career development, diversity, equity, inclusion, engagement, compensation and benefits, HR systems, performance management, and succession planning.

Mel is passionate about attracting top talent to L3Harris and providing opportunities to develop, advance, excel, and thrive. She's committed to creating an inclusive environment where people can both challenge the status quo and feel inspired to do their best work in support of our mission.

Rakita assumed this role in April 2023. Rakita joined the legacy Harris Corporation in 2015 as Vice President, HR for the former Harris Critical Networks segment. She subsequently served as Vice President, Talent Management, VP, HR – Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), and VP, HR – Integrated Mission Systems (IMS).

Rakita has more than 24 years of experience in HR management and leadership, including global talent management, staff development and employee relations.

Before joining legacy Harris, she was Director, of HR at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) for Sikorsky Defense Systems & Services.

Previously, she served in HR positions with UTC, L’Oréal USA, and Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Rakita has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut.