What was your career path to get you to this point?
I’ve always had a fascination for travel and flying in particular.
I am barred in the U.S., which is quite a lengthy process, and started my career in a law firm. However, I always knew that I wanted to move to an in-house job. When an opportunity came knocking at the door for Jet Smarter, which was a start-up at the time, I took it and made a leap of faith which ultimately led me to Vista about four years later.
What are some misconceptions about working in a male dominated industry for yourself and your own perspective?
I don’t think these barriers are unique to aviation, but I see the biggest two barriers as getting your foot in the door and career growth. While there is a lot of work that still needs to be done in many industries, I think over the last 10 years this industry has changed. Many companies and male allies are encouraging women to join and are opening the doors to see women become successful. Women who are agile, resourceful and hardworking, like in many other male dominated industries, will advance quickly.
What has been your biggest achievement or hurdle that you have had to overcome at Vista?
I think it’s both, it’s one and two, it’s an achievement and a hurdle. I’ve had to learn a completely new industry from scratch and then once I joined Vista, I had to learn and complete a new area of practise, which was mergers and acquisitions to support business growth. While that has been very challenging, it has also been fascinating and absolutely rewarding to be in the front seat of many acquisitions that took place over the last few years.
How does your role contribute to the overall flight mission at Vista?
I see the legal department and especially my team, as being problem solvers. We are the support for teams in the offices, crew in the air and even the aircraft itself, not to mention we do this for all the entities within the Group, globally, which is a monumental task.
What advice would you give to younger women thinking about getting into the industry?
I would say absolutely do it. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that it still male dominated. I think it’s a very exciting industry, it’s fast-paced, innovative and you’ll never stop learning.
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