Her Story
About Minerva
I've been fortunate to work in aviation for 15 years, experiencing different areas of the industry. I started as an admin, answering phones and booking travel, but I became intrigued by the actual airplanes and started learning little by little. Over the years, I've gained experience in contracts, materiel (building the inside of aircraft), and other aspects of aviation. My heart keeps going back to asset management, which is a general term for doing a little bit of everything and getting your hands into all areas, unlike other departments that are very niche-focused. I graduated from Cal State LA with a Business Administration degree and have continued my education by attending different conferences. My biggest professional achievement has been moving to Denver and joining Crestone, a startup. Going from very big lessors with structured processes and procedures to starting from scratch has been the most challenging but also the most rewarding experience. In just 9 months here, I've been able to implement so much. Currently, I'm doing a look-back since Crestone was acquired, reviewing all the invoicing, MRs, and anything related to money to correct what wasn't done right.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Minerva
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do it! Do it! I can't say that it's easy to learn - it's not an easy industry to learn, especially if you don't go to school for aviation and learning airplanes. But it can be done. I think the fear in joining the industry is the learning, like, airplanes. How am I supposed to learn about airplanes, right? Like, I'm not an engineer. I didn't go to school for this, but it can be done. It takes time. It took me probably longer to do so because I didn't go to school for airplanes, but I'm the true testament that you can learn about airplanes, you can learn about engines. It is doable. A lot of us did not go to school for airplanes. It's about asking the right questions, having the right mentors, talking to the right people, going to the right conferences, joining the right groups. It can be done. It's so possible. Don't be afraid of the learning curve - you can succeed in this field even without an engineering background.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity I see is closing the gender gap in aviation. Even though I've been in the industry for 15 years and the culture has changed drastically from when I started, the gap is still there. Every time I move from one company to the next - and this is my fifth or sixth leasing company - I still see that gap where I don't necessarily know if a lot of women know about the industry and the fact that women can join and learn it. You don't necessarily have to go to school for aviation to learn it. But I feel like a lot more women have come together and created these groups, boards, and incredible associations that you can join to spread the word and encourage women. Men have learned that there are really smart women out there, even better than them. It's fascinating to have watched the last 15 years, and I can only see that getting better. Joining groups like the International Aviation Women's Association helps spread the word about opportunities for women in this field.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is hyping women up and letting the world know that women can be professional, women can be in business, and women can accomplish just as much as anyone else. I'm most proud of being a woman in this male-dominated field and having succeeded. I want to showcase that it is possible, you can do it, don't be afraid. The fact that I'm a woman and I'm in this field and it's so male-dominant and I've succeeded - I want to showcase that. I want to showcase that it is possible, you can do it, don't be afraid.
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