What does it take to be an effective leader in your field?
Getting the right people onboard and being a good mentor. Dealing with aircraft mechanicals, delayed cargo movements and high-value shipments can be very stressful. Acting quickly to solve a problem is often necessary, but it takes patience to make the right decisions.
How do you maintain your company ethos?
I flew my leadership team up to Reno a few years ago for a company retreat. One of our goals was to reestablish our company ethos: passion, align team and company best interests, commitment to safety, accountability, integrity and respect (PACAIR). To ensure we maintain this ethos, we had our core values laminated on the back of our badges and carry them wherever we go.
Favorite qualities in a team member:
Honesty, ambition and integrity
Least-favorite quality in a team member:
Whining! I’ve been blessed with a team of folks who look forward to challenges and are rewarded for working hard and dealing with challenges without complaining. Don’t bring me a problem without suggesting a solution.
Do you feel women have equality in the workplace?
Women definitely have equal opportunity in the workplace if they are willing to work for it. Equality is earned by working hard, recognizing skills and making smart decisions.
Describe yourself in three words.
Mentoring, patient, diligent
Most valuable lesson she’s learned:
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that we can take risks that take us somewhere new, but it’s important to decide the limits of the risk beforehand. I changed my career at age 40 and started over, which brought me to where I am today.
Most difficult lesson:
Make sure you surround yourself with a team you can trust. I was burned a couple of times in my career by folks I really thought I could trust. I’m careful now and make sure that everyone on my team can trust each other 100 percent. Train and get to know people over time instead of making quick judgements.
Words to live by:
A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
