In the final post of our International Women’s Day 2024 series, we hear from three women who work in Menzies’ offices in London and Edinburgh: Valeria Castorina, Cargo Global Project Manager (pictured above right),Catriona Callaghan, Head of Tax & Treasury (pictured above left) and Fiona Taylor, Group Reporting Manager (pictured above middle).

Valeria Castorina, Cargo Global Project Manager
"I joined the London Heathrow cargo team in November 2020, and in 2022, I become the Cargo Global Project Manager, where my focus lies on technology and innovation for cargo handling.

I love the diversity and complexity of working in cargo - every day is different, bringing new challenges, learning, and opportunities for skill development. The dynamic nature of the industry keeps me engaged and motivated, knowing that each day holds the potential for growth and discovery.

One of the biggest barriers to recruiting women in aviation is the influence of gender stereotypes and the lack of visible female role models. When I started my career in cargo, it was not uncommon to be the only woman in meetings or leadership positions. We must continue to challenge these stereotypes and promote greater gender diversity in aviation, not only for the benefit of women but for the industry as a whole.

Menzies recognizes the importance of achieving balance and diversity within its teams, understanding that a diverse workforce leads to greater innovation and effectiveness.

I took part in the Women in Leadership Programme last year. It was an invaluable opportunity for self-awareness, networking, and sharing experiences and challenges with peers. I highly recommend the programme and other similar initiatives as they contribute immensely to personal and professional growth.

To achieve lasting gender diversity change in the aviation industry, we must focus on engaging young people and providing them with a better understanding of the industry and its potential for women.

If you're considering an aviation career, I would encourage you to embrace the opportunity to be part of a rapidly evolving industry that is increasingly welcoming to professional women. If you find yourself drawn to the prospect of working in a fast-paced environment with endless possibilities for growth and impact, then aviation is the perfect fit for you."

Fiona Taylor, Group Reporting Manager
"I’ve been at Menzies since September 2022 and the thing I enjoy the most in my finance-related role is being part of a truly global business where I see the unique challenges and opportunities faced in different regions.

I took part in the Women in Leadership programme recently, concluding in November 2023. The early modules of the programme encouraged participants to think about long-term goals and discuss our career path with our line manager.

I found this particularly useful as it led me to evaluate what areas of the business interested me the most and gave me the push I needed to apply for a role in that area that had recently opened. Without the programme, I don’t know whether I would have thought to apply or had the confidence to do so. I’m happy to say I was successful in my application and started my new role in 2024.

We are lucky in our team to have quite an even split of male and female colleagues which means we have mentors from both sides which has been helpful and supportive.

My advice for women considering an aviation career is to find something that you enjoy."

Catriona Callaghan, Head of Tax & Treasury
"I’ve worked at Menzies since October 2017 and I love the dynamic, innovative and ever-changing environment - there is always lots going on, interesting projects and challenges!

The legacy of the aviation industry is very much male dominated and it’s a challenging stereotype to break. Menzies looks to promote and encourage talent to grow and develop in roles, with leadership programmes including Women in Leadership. Taking part in the programme made me self-reflect and gave me great contacts with other amazing female leaders across the business.

Visibility and role models are important and there needs to be an active push to take the first step in attracting women into roles where they are currently underrepresented. The aviation industry could learn from other industries (e.g. financial services) which have recognised the gender bias and resulting gender gap in hiring and taken steps to address that through policies such as equal parental leave. Examples like this send a powerful message and demonstrates a commitment to getting women into roles, especially in previously male-dominated industries.

David Trollope has supported me in my career at Menzies, pushing me to take on new challenges. Juliet Thomson is also a great support for me – her ability to take on different challenges and move into new areas has been inspiring, especially when I’ve been asked to take on new responsibilities outside my comfort zone.

My advice for anyone considering a career in aviation – go for it!"

A big thank you to all of the women who have participated in this week’s series. If you are marking International Women’s Day at your location, please share your photos with Internal Communications.