How did you get into business aviation?

After working for nine years for a Swiss airline in many different departments, I briefly left aviation for a job trading raw materials. But shortly afterwards I missed terribly the smell of kerosene and the excitement and action in aviation. Thus, when the opportunity of a job with a large business jet operator came up, I took it without second thought.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A doctor in Africa treating tropical diseases. I knew at the time that ‘pilot’ was not a job women were accepted for back in those days in Switzerland. That would have been my first choice after spending a lot of time watching military jets doing their routine flights. I loved the vibrations and the noise they made during take-off.

What advice would you give to your younger self and would you have taken it?

Whatever you do – do it with joy and passion and 100% engagement. Also being diplomatic helps to achieve the desired results. I would have accepted the first part of that advice but not the second part.

What was your best business decision?

To take on the challenge of setting up the Hong Kong office for my previous employer; a business jet company. The growing of an operation from scratch up to a business jet fleet of 30-plus aircraft was an exhilarating journey. I love the Asian culture and people. The work attitude of the people in Hong Kong I dealt with was amazing. They give it all.

Tell us a secret about business aviation?

It is not just a luxury world for the few but provides philanthropic aid to the less fortunate. The industry does not make a big story of this. It just does it.

Is business aviation in the climb, the cruise or the descent and why?

Currently, it’s cruising, But if the industry addresses the challenges of climate and social changes and makes adjustments, it will climb again. Although it will experience turbulence, it will climb again.

How do you relax?

Yoga and trekking in remote areas. The pictures say it all.