Her Story
About Tracey
Tracey Wright has spent 23 years in the aviation industry, starting in aviation management and developing a holistic view of operations worldwide. Her main area of expertise is change management, where she brings together complex components of programs and manages multi-million dollar airport projects from an operational lens. On a typical day, she balances multiple programs for clients in Denver and San Antonio, works with leadership teams on operational readiness, and guides her teams to success. Her most notable professional achievement is serving as chair of the ACI World IAP board, which allows her to volunteer on a larger scale, mentor women in aviation, and support global aviation initiatives. She is also a member of ACI World and the American Association of Airport Executives. Tracey attributes her success to never settling for less than a new challenge once she masters a role, as well as the support of amazing women mentors who have held each other accountable. She advises women entering the field to find their own board of directors of mentors in different life areas and to keep trying new paths despite roadblocks.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tracey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think what contributes to my success is that I was never willing to settle. So once I mastered or was the expert at whatever I was doing in that particular job, if there wasn't a promotion path, I would look for something else. My family constantly jokes that I'm on a two-year career path with any company, because after two years, I feel like you can master something, or be the expert in it, and then I get a little antsy, and I want something new, a new challenge. I've had a lot of amazing women mentors in my life. We have all held each other and kept each other accountable.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Best career advice is especially as a female in aviation, when there are roadblocks in your path, there's always a new path to take. Always keep trying, regardless of how defeated you may feel. Constantly keep yourself in a state of interviewing, always be updating our resumes and taking that leap and interviewing for the next job, regardless if you're looking or not.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find your board of directors. Your board of directors is a mentor in different areas of your life - spiritual mentor, professional mentor, emotional mentor. Find your mentors in the different areas of your life and put together your board of directors. Know when you're able to tap into that resource.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that we as women don't think that if we don't match up to all of the criteria, we won't go for that next promotion. Showing them that regardless of what your CV or bio says, you can always learn something new, but it's your experiences that you have and who you are and how you present yourself that really makes you right for a new position. The benefit is that women who are willing to take a challenging role and take a leap of faith are given those opportunities in aviation right now, but we have to have more women willing to feel confident that they can take on those roles.
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