With Girls in Aviation Day this September, it’s the perfect time to spotlight leading women in aviation who are inspiring the next generation of girls to believe the sky is truly the limit.
Kriya Shortt, President and CEO of Textron eAviation, is one of those leaders. Leading a company at the forefront of electric aviation, she stands out not only for driving sustainability and innovation but also as one of the few women steering a global aerospace business—a field still largely dominated by men. With only 11% of Fortune 500 CEO roles held by women, her leadership is proof of what’s possible.
Kriya shows us that stepping beyond your comfort zone is where real progress—and lasting impact—begin. In this Q&A, she opens up about her career journey, the bravest decisions she’s made, and how embracing the technical expertise of others has helped her soar.
Learn About Kriya’s Journey to CEO
Q&A with Kriya Shortt
What was your path to becoming CEO of Textron eAviation?
My career journey has been incredibly rewarding, filled with valuable lessons and experiences. I was with Cessna, now Textron Aviation, for nearly three decades – and had the privilege of spending 27 years in customer-facing roles and teams, which taught me the importance of building relationships and understanding team and customer needs. I have now spent two years with Textron eAviation as the CEO.
Whether leading an international sales team, our global parts & programs division or subsidiary companies, each step of my career has been a valuable learning experience. I’m grateful for leaders throughout my career journey who not only saw potential in me but encouraged me to take on new roles and challenges, fueling my passion for continuous learning and growth.
What is the bravest decision you’ve made along the way?
For me, the bravest decision has been to embrace the unknown and step outside my comfort zone. Taking on new challenges, has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
I’ve also learned the importance of surrounding myself with great mentors and sponsors who provide honest and constructive feedback. Their input has been invaluable in helping me identify areas for improvement, enabling me to continue growing as both a colleague and a leader.
What daily habit or non-negotiable routine keeps you grounded and focused in such a high-pressure role?
I have to say, I love what I do. While work is a huge part of my life, I also prioritize self-care – which for me, looks like spending time with my family, running and hiking, learning to fly fish or taking to the skies to hone my pilot skills. These moments help me recharge and stay grounded.
What has been your biggest challenge leading in a highly technical industry?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is that I’m not an engineer. Being able to trust and leverage the expertise of the team who have been instrumental in teaching me about the technical aspects of the industry is rewarding.
Their willingness to share their knowledge has been incredibly helpful, and it’s allowed me to more effectively advocate for our team and collaborate with regulators.
What important piece of advice would you give to women aspiring to be future CEOs?
To women looking to advance their careers, I would say this: don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. It’s through these experiences that you’ll learn and grow the most.
Be bold, be confident, never be afraid to ask for help and own your career journey. And as you achieve success, remember to pay it forward and support others who are just starting out.
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