Interview

Could you please introduce yourself briefly in 2-3 sentences, your function and how you came to it (short biography).

After graduating from high school, I was unsure about my further path. Since I was living next to Emmen Airport at the time and was fascinated by the operations there, I responded to an advertisement from Skyguide, which I happened to see in the newspaper. At the time, I had no idea what exactly an ATCO does and that this would become my passion. I am working now as an ATCO in Buochs (since 2007) and Alpnach (since 2006), since 2015 I am the Head Unit Buochs.

You lead four men in your daily work as a woman. Was this ever a disadvantage for you or do you see more advantages? What do you believe can be done to address gender stereotypes in the ATC environment?

I was impressed right from the start that, in my view, equality at Skyguide was very far advanced compared to many other companies. I see it as an advantage to lead a team made up exclusively of men. Since we have worked together as colleagues before and all my employees know me very well and have my back, there are absolutely no problems in working together.

Being a woman at a high-level and crucial position, do you feel that your competences can be more questioned then if you would have been a man?

I have never had the feeling that as a woman in this position I am taken less seriously than if I were a man. I think it is clear to everyone in our industry that everyone’s educational and skill requirements are absolutely the same.

If you could have dinner with an inspirational woman, dead or alive, who would she be and why?

I find it difficult to commit to one woman because there are so many to learn from and have exciting conversations with. I would like to speak, for example, to Benazir Bhutto because she was and had to be an incredibly strong woman who had a lot to tell that would make a difference.