Professional Propulsion: How Aviation Is Empowering Leading Women in the Middle East

While global representation of women in aviation leadership is relatively low with only 14% holding C-suite roles and just 3% serving as CEOs across the world’s top 100 aviation organisations, progress in the region can tell a different story. In the UAE, women now occupy two-thirds of public sector jobs, with 30% in leadership roles and 14.8% on public company boards compared with 10.8% in 2024. This marks a 37% year-on-year increase, highlighting a growing momentum towards gender equity and leadership inclusion.

Odgers’ Aviation Practice partners with a diverse range of businesses across the aviation sector through strategic collaboration to identify talent, support inclusive hiring, and champion initiatives that elevate female representation in technical, operational, and leadership positions.

In the fourth article of our Women Leaders in Aviation series, we speak with Rhiannon MacLeod-Cook, Aviation Consultant/Advisor and Gemma Sinclair, Chief People Officer at Beond.

Read our previous article, Business Class: The Rise of Women in Middle Eastern Aviation Leadership, for more insight from the journeys of an aerospace communications leader and from the Deputy CEO for Academic Relations, Governance, and Student Experience at the Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA).

Rhiannon MacLeod-Cook, based in the UAE, brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as an independent consultant, and working at Saudia Technic, Qatar Airways and Jet Aviation.

Gemma Sinclair is a seasoned HR leader having built the HR function at Beond from the ground up. Her previous roles include VP of HR for the MEAA region at Menzies Aviation and Group Head of HR at Cockett Group.

Inspiration and Journey Into Aviation

Rhiannon was inspired by role models, particularly a strong female character in the film "Top Gun" who was technically knowledgeable and powerful in a male-dominated environment. This character motivated her to pursue a career in aviation, shifting her focus from economics to aviation engineering. She then joined a helicopter company as a graduate trainee, which supported her through a master's degree.

Gemma explained her deep-rooted love of the industry: “I’ve always been fascinated by aviation. In my first HR role, my desk overlooked Blackpool Airport and I loved watching all the activity there every day. So when the chance to join Emirates in Dubai came up, I jumped at it. At Emirates, I was lucky enough to spend time supporting different departments, gaining invaluable insight into all areas of the airline. That experience hooked me - aviation is dynamic, fast-paced, and constantly evolving.

Challenges and Obstacles Faced

Rhiannon encountered several significant obstacles throughout her career. She frequently faced gender bias, with lecturers and colleagues often assuming she lacked technical expertise, mistaking her for someone in another department or simply there to take notes. Cognitive bias also played a role, as people in meetings would routinely defer to male colleagues, despite her strong technical background.

Gemma shared her view that women have a much stronger position today: “Early in my career, I feel like there were more challenges for women in aviation. But I don’t really find gender is a factor in my role today. There are now strong female leaders shaping the industry, and the narrative has shifted toward expertise and leadership rather than gender. 2024 saw female CEOs appointed at Japan Airlines, KLM and JetBlue amongst others. Whilst women are still underrepresented in the industry, it is definitely moving in the right direction”. 

Programs Or Initiatives Supporting Women In Aviation

Rhiannon highlighted several impactful initiatives aimed at supporting women in aviation. In Saudi Arabia, she referenced efforts led by Lara Aabed to introduce the first female cohort of technical trainees into the industry - a groundbreaking step toward greater gender inclusion.

“At my previous employer, Menzies Aviation, there were some fantastic internal programs focused on women in leadership”, commented Gemma. “Their CPO championed IATA’s 25by2025 initiative, and women were actively encouraged to participate in mentorship opportunities internally. There was a strong emphasis on developing female leaders, ensuring they had the right support and exposure to grow into senior roles. This is something I’ve tried to bring with me into Beond, and as we continue to grow, I hope to implement a similar program here to support women in leadership within our organisation. 

“In terms of formal mentorship programs in the Middle East, I’m not aware of anything specific that is widely available. However, I think it’s crucial for everyone in aviation, regardless of gender, to leverage their network and stay connected with industry conferences and forums. Networking is key in this industry, and sometimes the best opportunities for mentorship and career growth come from informal connections rather than structured programs. Personally, I started playing golf two years ago, and it’s been a great way to meet industry leaders in an informal setting. I’d highly recommend it for expanding an executive network! You never know who you will meet on the golf course.”

Finding Fresh Aviation Talent

Rhiannon pointed out the growing shortage of engineering talent, particularly within maintenance organisations and among licensed aircraft engineers. This challenge is compounded by increasing competition from emerging such as space exploration, which are drawing skilled professionals away from aviation. To address this, she emphasised the need for early investment, encouraging companies to engage with and inspire future talent from the school level, helping to build a sustainable pipeline for the industry.

Gemma explained that aviation is a small industry, with rising stars normally identified through internal promotions or networks. Beond has actively brought in interns, many of whom are now full-time employees. This led to the launch of their graduate program, which offers exposure to key airline functions like operations, HR, finance, commercial, and catering.

“To attract younger generations, I think we need to engage slightly differently. Influencers like Mohamed Taker are using TikTok and Instagram to showcase aviation careers, but companies need to do more, whether through internships or partnerships with universities and colleges. At Beond, we recently attended an Emirati recruitment fair in Abu Dhabi, and the level of interest from fresh graduates was refreshing.”

Tips for Starting a Career in Aviation

The leaders offered the following advice for aspiring aviation professionals:

• Find the spaces where industry leaders connect. You never know where you’ll find the open doors - aviation is challenging but incredibly rewarding.  
• Take up space. Assert yourself and make sure you are heard.  
• Stay adaptable. Be open to learning beyond your core role.  
• Seek role models and mentorship. Look for inspiration from women who have succeeded in the industry, and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support. 

Whether you are looking to connect with experts, explore current opportunities or deliver change within your organisation, our team has the necessary expertise to help.

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Get in touch. Follow the links below to discover more, or contact our dedicated Aviation leadership experts from your local Odgers office here.