Learn to move forward
The beautiful and exhilarating sensation of pulling back the top and feeling the wind in my hair quickly turned into a frightening situation. It all started when I was pursuing my privates license and practicing solo touch-and-goes at Daytona Beach Airport flying a small low wing Grumman in the early 90s. This involves taking off and landing the plane repeatedly in circles around the airport until you get the hang of it.
As I was about to land, the wind from a multi-engine aircraft ahead of me caused my plane to bounce. As an aerospace engineer, I thought I had to land it. If I were a pilot, I would have known to speed up and take off again. But no, we engineers think we’re smarter than everyone else. As the aircraft bounced and stood perpendicular to the ground, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I closed my eyes, thinking this was it, until I heard the ATC controller telling me how lucky I was to be alive.
Shaken and with a scar on my hand, I walked out. I was fine, but the aircraft wasn’t—its wingtips were destroyed, and the propeller was bent in the wrong direction. This harrowing experience made me realize that I had just survived something most people wouldn’t. It defined the humility and endurance that I have carried throughout my career and personal life with a solutions-based mentality and a motto of, always moving forward, I went right back into a low wing Grumman and flew again.
Finding your passion
Traveling at a very young age, Pan-Am ingrained in me the luxury and enigma of travel. Every time I traveled, I noticed people from the outskirts of countries and regions. I always wondered about their stories and why they were there, often asking questions that only young children can ask. Globalization became part of my DNA, and even though I was an American born in Chicago to immigrant parents, I never felt like an outsider. I was just like everyone else in the world.
I aspired to become part of the United Nations, thinking that I could one day work to assist immigrant families coming into the US. This, sadly, did not happen. Instead, my fortune came in the guise of my physics teacher, an old Caucasian man who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He explained the aviation industry and how I would thrive in it, noticing my interest and aptitude. Little did I know that this mentorship, predominantly from male mentors, would be a recurring aspect of my life. At the age of 17, he taught me how to find my voice through debating and then find a passion for aviation, technology, and travel to apply it to.
Luckly for me, I entered Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987, right when “Top Gun” was box office hit, and everyone wanted to be Maverick. Living with my parents while attending classes, I was constantly reminded of the stark contrast between East and West. As an Indian girl driven by entrepreneurial spirit and a desire for good grades, I was an anomaly in a sea of Tom Cruise look-alikes, ROTC members, foreign students, and a handful of girls in a school of 5,000.
Success in the mist of Failure
Back in the late ’80s, there was little focus on equity and inclusion, and professors could be driven by their biases. One such incident occurred when an engineering professor arbitrarily gave selected students a failing grade based on his biases towards foreigners, immigrants, and females, regardless of what the grade they earned. On the first test results, he extended an invitation to challenge the grade. Imagine a long line outside his office with grown boys slamming doors and being reduced to tears.
I quickly realized that he had a strong bias against women, believing they should be barefoot and pregnant. As I entered his large office, I felt the weight of my entire academic career hanging in the balance. I made a split-second decision and explained to him that in my culture, the only way for me to be accepted by any man was to be educated. He was standing in my way of taking my rightful place. He took my test and revised my grade to 95% which is what I earned. I walked out of his office and passed his class.
I learned a valuable lesson not only about myself but also about the industry I was entering and survival within it. Carrying this through until I completed my Degree in Aerospace Engineering and got my Master’s in Aviation and Airline Management. My experience at Embry-Riddle instilled a built-to-succeed mentality in me.
Embry-Riddle has a strong connection with the Aviation Industry, which facilitated my employment shortly after graduation. Being in my early twenties, I, along with many other minorities, underwent an intensive interview process for the Northwest Airlines MBA Program and I was selected in the first round. Initially stationed in Memphis, Tennessee, I experienced the local cultural contrasts. At that time, social tensions were palpable. Gaining the skills to navigate both the industry and the cultural awareness turned into a valuable learning experience.
Strategic Solutions Rooted in Humility
I reported to a seasoned 72-year-old Armenian veteran of the airline industry who mentored me on professional conduct and communication with executives. He was the regional vice president for ground operations for the eastern region, having a jovial nature loved by all who meet him, talking to every staff member regardless of their role in the company. My education earned me respect within the company despite being unaware of corporate or union dynamics.
My responsibilities included compiling reports of station performance relative to their goals. On one occasion, I encountered issues logging in and was consistently locked out. The female executive assistant informed me that I was being set up to fail. She said “you either let them see you fail or you find a way to succeed amongst the tools you have”. After investigating I determined that two individuals were responsible for locking me out and questioning my reports’ accuracy. I provided system-generated reports with timestamps to my boss, validating my correctness. He just smiled with laughter emphasized the importance of recognizing allies and being cautious of adversaries. This experience was an introduction to an industry requiring intelligence, strategy, and practicality. Persevering brought a sense of pride in how I handled the situation and that feeling carried me through biases, learning to practice humility and respect for others, regardless of the situation.
Finding Empathy & Balance
Leaving the airline was a tough decision, driven by the realization that those 2% raises just weren’t going to cut it in the long run especially in the late 90’s. Fortunately, I found an amazing opportunity in technology at Cargill, a large agriscience company which turned out to be a place rich in diversity, training, and self-growth. I was incredibly lucky to work with leaders of all genders and ethnicities who taught me so much. My boss had this wonderful habit of encouraging me to say good morning to everyone when arriving and goodbye when leaving. This simple relationship-building technique has truly helped me develop a more human side as a leader.
As an ethnic female, I found myself among many successful female leaders, which was incredibly inspiring. My journey of self-growth and observation continued at Interval International in Miami, FL. There, I had a boss who believed in me more than I believed in myself, providing opportunities to stretch my mind and create strategic solutions from scratch. Many individuals shaped my training and ability to think outside the box. Our CIO and COO were both women who managed to balance their professional responsibilities with their personal lives, including relationships and children. This experience taught me that family is the most important factor, followed by work. It meant working late if needed but always making time for dinner with the family.
Blending Knowledge, Humor and Perseverance
At Interval International, I delved into cutting-edge technology and was trained in technology architectural concepts that many industries are only now beginning to explore. We were already implementing machine learning and AI modeling back in the early 2000s. By the end of my tenure at Interval, I had experienced significant personal changes—I got married, divorced, and became the proud parent of two beautiful mixed-ethnic children. Suddenly, I found myself as the sole provider, chaperone, and caregiver. The challenges intensified when I switched jobs, went through a divorce, and lost my dad all in the same year. The driving distance and timing only added to the complexity of my situation.
Racism isn’t just about different colors; it comes in many forms. I experienced this firsthand when friends, relatives, and colleagues stopped speaking to me, and my son couldn’t get into ethnic programs due to his mixed race and religion. So, I decided to teach them myself. I stumbled and fell many times until a fellow single mom advised me to take care of myself first and not be a martyr to my children. She said, “You will lose, and they will lose.” This meant having a reliable car and, most importantly, eating first, not last, so I wouldn’t be hangry all night.
My daughter was two, and my son was seven; it was just the three of us, which became our group name. They saw me work all night, take calls in the car, and still make home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I knew the only way to survive was to keep them healthy with minimal sick time. Vitamins and clean foods became our way of life.
People often asked how I managed and remarked on how tough it must be. It was tough, but I can recite every song from Tangled and play a mean game of soccer. Working at University of Miami got me into the healthcare industry and introduced me to a young, highly intelligent, and diverse group of people. The hours weren’t bad, but the distance was significant, often making me the last one to pick up my kids.
Transformation Through Strategic Sponsorship
A single phone call changed my direction and fate. Spirit Airlines called me out of the blue, and their headquarters was only 10 minutes from my house and 20 minutes from my children’s school. It was uncanny walking back into an airline, it felt like stepping back in time, encountering familiar faces from university and Northwest Airlines. Biases still existed, but not with my boss. Hailing from Texas, he recognized my technical expertise and airline knowledge, and that’s why he hired me. His blind faith in my ability to lead and make decisions gave me newfound confidence.
He was a family man and understood my need to leave to pick up my children. He had no issues with it and quickly realized I would work at night to finish anything necessary. I assembled a team much like the Avengers, each with unique strengths and backgrounds, but when faced with a challenge, they came together and accomplished implementations and architectures in record time.
In 2016, a mentor and sponsor of my talents joined Spirit Airlines. Under his guidance and sponsorship, I learned the art of strategy and how to make decisions devoid of emotions to ensure the best outcome for the company, even if it struck a chord. He often referred to me as the bullet train, saying that while someone was just starting to explain the problem, I already had the solution and was interrupting to get my point across. He made me realize that I needed listen to others, even if I had the solution. This enabled me to be a better leader and co-worker ultimately winning the leadership of the year award in 2022.
He guided me to understand that strategically, we could move the airline industry into this century and then move forward. Sponsorship came not only from him but also from our CHRO, she championed my talents and ensured that my voice was heard even in my absence.
Embracing your Identity
The highlight of this period was that, with all my knowledge and background, I was recognized as an engineer in every meeting where I presented, valued for my extensive expertise. My identity is defined by the strength of my knowledge and my ability to think quickly and strategically, rather than by my ethnicity or gender. I believe that each team member has the potential to pursue what brings them happiness, and this philosophy guides my leadership.
I focus on identifying talent and performing talent mapping to optimize team performance. Treating everyone as a human means sending them home on time and giving them the time to complete tasks so they can prioritize their families, pets, or just being by themselves. I realized early on that a productive employee is one who can go home and feel proud of their job, not frustrated. They can then enjoy their personal lives, making them loyal and productive.
Some team members require highly diverse and challenging projects while others are best positioned for success when focusing on one project at a time. But watching them work together makes a product and team great.
Navigating Change through innovative solutions
As the VP of Solutions Architecture, navigating through a company change is a profound responsibility that calls for visionary leadership. It is my duty to look beyond the immediate challenges and chart a course for the future. By collaborating closely with other leaders, we can map out a successful path for the airline, ensuring that we emerge stronger and more resillient.
Equally important is my commitment to my team. I must guide them to see the possibilities that lie ahead, even in times of uncertainty. During changes, it’s natural for many to worry about their financial and professional well-being. My role is to provide them with the support and direction they need, inspiring confidence and fostering a sense of purpose.
Throughout my career, each leader I’ve encountered has imparted invaluable lessons. When asked about my leadership style, I draw from a rich tapestry of experiences: humility from Northwest Airlines, kindness from Cargill, knowledge from Interval, humor from the University of Miami and change from Spirit. But above all, they taught me perseverance.
There are no labels that define you as a person; it is your knowledge and your ability to recognize that everyone has a story and everyone deserves a chance. This understanding has shaped my approach to leadership, reminding me that empathy and resilience are the cornerstones of success. As we navigate through challenges and triumphs, let us remember to lead with compassion, embrace diversity, and always strive to uplift those around us. Together, we can create a future where every individual has the opportunity to shine.
