Karlie Mastrogiuseppe
Karlie Mastrogiuseppe is an aviation maintenance and organizational leadership professional with more than 16 years of experience in the aviation industry, beginning her career in 2010 through service in the Florida Army National Guard. She initially enlisted expecting to serve as a military police officer but was instead trained as a helicopter mechanic supporting rotary wing transmission systems. She completed a six-year active-duty contract followed by two additional years in the inactive ready reserve, building a strong technical foundation in aircraft systems, discipline, and mission-critical operations.
After her military service, she briefly worked in emergency medical services before pursuing formal aviation maintenance education at the National Aviation Academy. She later advanced into instructional and technical development roles with Boeing, where she supported workforce training and employee development, before joining United Airlines. She currently serves as Supervisor of Aircraft Maintenance at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, overseeing overnight maintenance operations in a high-volume hangar environment. When she first joined United, she was the first and only woman in her initial role, and she continues to contribute in a field where women remain underrepresented, now working alongside a growing but still limited number of female leaders in maintenance supervision.
Beyond her technical leadership, Karlie is deeply committed to mentoring, education, and service. She actively participates in United’s mentoring programs and serves on the board for United for Veterans, supporting service members and veterans in their professional development and transition. She is also involved in community and charitable engagement, including support for the Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing and assistance for military and veteran families, and participation in the Special Olympics, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports and inclusion. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, she enjoys fishing, reading, exploring, photography, and crafting—interests that reflect her appreciation for creativity, reflection, and balance. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership at the University of Phoenix, with her dissertation topic recently approved, and her long-term goal is to move into a director-level role in training and development, where she can shape instructional standards and guide future aviation educators and technicians.
• Leadership Institute - Credential II
• Airframe, Power Plant, Or Repairer License
• Hallmark University - BS, Aviation Maintenance Management
• Hallmark University - MBA, Leadership
• University of Phoenix - Doctor of Management
• National Society for Leadership Success
• National Society for Leadership Success
• Women in Aircraft Maintenance (AWAM)
• Women in Aviation
• Fisher House at Edward Hines VA
• Special Olympics of Illinois Plane Pull Competition
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my son, who is an ex-25-week preemie. He has had over a hundred procedures in 12 years. Seeing him go through all of that just motivates me to push and show him that he can do anything he wants. He's a warrior, and watching his strength and resilience drives me to keep achieving and demonstrating that anything is possible.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was when I was in school learning how to work on airplanes after I left the military, during that big transition from helicopters to commercial airplanes. They told me that this career path is the ultimate opportunity to learn something new every day. I try to instill that in the people around me - that every day is a learning opportunity. You will never know every single thing about airplanes. Airplanes break in different ways, they may be similar, sometimes it might be a wiring issue, sometimes it's just a component issue, but you don't know until you actually dig into it. You might do it one way on a Boeing aircraft versus doing it another way on an Airbus. That mindset of continuous learning has been invaluable throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let the influence of people who don't like their job influence whether or not you like the industry you joined, because it is a great industry to be a part of. Think for yourself and form your own opinions about the work. There are people who will try to discourage you, but you need to stay focused on your own experience and passion for what you do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I face right now is growing in management. There's very much the good ol' boys club still very prominent in aviation maintenance. People tend to get really intimidated by my resume. As a woman in this male-dominated field, breaking through those barriers and advancing into higher leadership positions remains a significant challenge, even with strong qualifications and experience.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that's most important to me is accountability. In my field, accountability is impactful on hundreds of levels and affects more people's lives than almost any other value. When you're responsible for aircraft maintenance and the safety of passengers and crew, being accountable for your work and decisions is absolutely critical. This value guides everything I do, both professionally and personally.
Locations
United Airlines
Gilberts, IL 60136