Destiny and passion

Irena, could you share with us your background and how you came to work in the aeromedical industry, particularly at Jet Executive? What inspired you to pursue this career path?

My career path has been a blend of destiny and true passion. In 2010, a year after graduating with a degree in economics and working in London for a year as a key account manager, I was recruited by my stepdad, the owner and founder of Jet Executive, for a sales and marketing position. My stepdad aimed to transform Jet Executive into a dedicated air ambulance company and become one of the leading air ambulance providers in Europe. The job seemed almost custom-tailored for me: a young, dynamic sales professional who loves socialising, growing and transforming businesses, travelling the world, and thriving in an international environment. During my university studies, I completed a successful sixmonth internship with Lufthansa’s key account sales team in New York, my first encounter with the aviation industry, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Considering all these serendipitous events, I decided to take the job, move back to Germany – something I had never initially intended – and start working in my family’s business.

As a prominent female leader in the aeromedical sector, what have been some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in navigating a traditionally male-dominated environment?

While I strongly support gender equality and consider myself a very independent woman, I don’t want to give the impression that women in our industry are treated unfairly. I work with many professional, funny, and amazing women on a networking level, especially on the client side. But indeed, there are still very few female leaders on the aviation side. There are still very few female pilots applying for jobs, and we have struggled to keep women in the 24/7 ops centre.

However, there is still a certain attitude toward women in leadership roles. If we do a good job, some tend to devalue our achievements while presenting their own contributions as heroic actions. If you fight for your goals, you are often stereotyped as a ‘b****’, while men, of course, never have bad days (lol).

Despite these challenges, I focused on building a strong professional reputation through performance and continuous learning. I pursued advanced certifications and studies to bolster my qualifications. I graduated from the University of Krems in Austria with an MBA in aviation while working full-time.

Looking back at your career journey, what advice would you give yourself from 10 years ago, knowing what you know now?

I would encourage my younger self to trust her instincts and embrace challenges with confidence.

Actively seek out mentors who can provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback. While pursuing your career goals, don’t neglect self-care and personal wellbeing. Maintaining a healthy worklife balance is crucial for long-term success and happiness. I achieved this through extensive travel adventures during my annual leave, such as crossing the Andes in Peru or spending time in the jungle. I love challenges, not only in my career but also in my personal life.

I would also tell her that you cannot be everyone’s darling, and you shouldn’t try to be as long as you stay true to your decisions and values. There will always be someone who doesn’t share your opinion.

Reflecting on your career so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of? How has this achievement shaped your approach to leadership and your professional growth?

Firstly, I am proud that I have outplayed quite a few challenges such as the corona crisis, to name one big example. I didn’t give up when things became uncomfortable. But mostly, I am proud of my international network and the relationships I have built with clients, providers, partners, and competitors all over the world. Some of these wonderful people have become friends over time. In the first couple of years, I was especially proud when I recruited new major clients from the industry, maintained very good business relationships, and thus grew the sales volume and turnover for the company.

Additionally, I have educated five generations of young, diverse individuals through our three-year apprenticeship programme. I focus on empowering my team through mentorship, training and autonomy.

The list goes on, but most importantly I enjoy being the face of the company, working with my team and clients.