Kristen Raby - A/AA Chair: 2024
1. Can you share with us a little about your career journey and what led you to the aviation and aerospace industry?
Kristen: I have always had a passion for aviation, aerospace, and space. I studied Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada and spent the first part of my career as an Aerospace Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. I was selected to attend Test Pilot School in EPNER, France and I worked primarily on Hornet, Hawk and Harvard flight test programs at the Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment in northern Alberta. Working for Nova Systems, I migrated to Australia and supported the introduction into service and production flight test activities on the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program and Flight Training System for the Australian Army. I absolutely love what I do. I have worked in Operations, Project/Program Management, Senior Leadership and Governance roles across multiple domains, but aviation, aerospace, and space are sectors that connect the world, and I want to ensure that the sector is thriving and sustainable for current and future generations of professionals who will support it.
2. What experiences or achievements in your career do you feel have prepared you for the role of Chair at Aviation/Aerospace Australia?
Kristen: I have been a Director on the A/AA Board since 2017, so I can attest to the hard work of A/AA’s brilliant operational team, and the multi-talented and diverse Directors that have worked together to deliver significant programs and events to our membership and the industry. Serving as Deputy Chair over the last year, we put together a strong succession plan that saw me working closely with Sarah (McSwiney) to ensure a smooth transition into the role of Chair alongside Shannon (O’Hara’s) transition into Deputy Chair. Overall, our careers have allowed us to build a sound understanding of the aviation/aerospace and space landscape, and we have worked as a team to develop and execute a clear strategy to deliver value to our amazing membership.
3. What is your vision for Aviation/Aerospace Australia as you step into this leadership role?
Kristen: As a national organisation, my vision is that we continue to grow thoughtfully – building connections and delivering innovative programs with intention to support a membership that will grow. A/AA has made such positive and sector leading strides over the years, and this is due to our willingness to listen to our members and then pour our hearts into delivering programs of significance across the aviation, aerospace and space sectors. I recognise that it is important to continue to change and evolve, but also want to preserve the energy and ingredients that have allowed us to deliver successful programs and initiatives to-date. This not only means staying true to our mission and strategy, but as a board and as a team, believing in the work that we do and genuinely enjoying the things we achieve together.
4. What are the key challenges and opportunities you see for the aviation and aerospace sector in Australia over the next few years?
Kristen: It is no surprise that skilled and trained workforce is a challenge across Australia and this sector is no exception. We need to attract and retain the best people, we need to promote careers, training pathways and the myriad of opportunities across the aviation, aerospace and space ecosystem to school-aged children and students. These are drivers for our NextGen Network initiatives, our Aviator in Schools Project with CSIRO, A/AA short courses, and our mentoring program. We need to ensure that the world stays connected in a sustainable way, which is why our Greenskies Program has had such positive traction across the industry. Space is a growing sector in Australia, so having the Australian Space Diversity Aliance (ASDA) as part of A/AA has helped to hone our focus and actions in this area, and of course we need to continue to ensure that the sector is forward leaning on inclusivity, moving the needle and engaging in the conversations that make a difference (our WA/AA program turned 12 this year). The sector is full of challenges and opportunities, so you can be sure we will work closely with our members, partners, and sponsors so that we can face the future together.
5. In what ways will you champion sustainability and innovation in this rapidly evolving field?
Kristen: Great question! I am so proud of A/AA’s Greenskies initiative, as we have been able to coordinate and promote action on sustainability that touches all facets of aviation, aerospace and space operations. We have such meaningful engagement from our membership across the sector, and there is a palpable need for us to support the network initiatives focussed on the challenges of sustainability. I am really looking forward to what this program will deliver in 2025 and beyond.
6. Aviation/Aerospace Australia has been committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. How do you plan to further this mission as Chair?
Kristen: This is part of our organisational DNA - both the board and our organisation are visible advocates for DE&I. There has been longstanding positive engagement from our sponsors, members, and industry for the Women in Aviation/Aerospace Australia initiative, and we have been very deliberate in ensuring that the summits and events tackle contemporary issues and intersectionality. This year, I am excited that we are part of the Women in the Aviation Industry Initiative through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. A/AA’s successful delivery of this program will not only further our mission, but will deliver benefits across the sector.
7. Can you share any personal experiences or initiatives you’ve been part of that highlight your commitment to diversity in leadership?
Kristen: This is something that has been part of my career journey from the outset, and I have a strong reputation for building and leading diverse teams. I am deeply committed to inclusion, as a founding voice and the chair of my organisation’s IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Action and Leadership) committee, and I continue to be involved in mentoring, coaching, and advocating for inclusion across our entire workforce demographic- through establishment of a graduate development program, focussing on youth and STEM through school outreach, promotion of gender equality, multicultural diversity, veterans programs and our Reconciliation Action Plan.
8. What message would you like to share with members of the Aviation/Aerospace Australia community as you take on this role?
Kristen: Reach out and connect! A/AA, our partners, sponsors, and members represent an incredible network that is committed to the sustainability of the entire aviation, aerospace and space sector in Australia. If you are not already involved, you definitely should be.