In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, Airservices is proudly championing the highly skilled women in our national team to help #BreakTheBias and showcase the many varied and rewarding opportunities available for women considering a career in aviation.
Catch up on previous profiles on our Newsroom, including an interview with Civil Military Air Traffic Management System Release One Technical Lead (OneSKY Australia), Joann Martins.
Meet Mu Yan, Head of Customer Engagement
Yan works closely with Australia’s aviation operators to ensure Airservices can better understand the needs of our industry and identify opportunities to enhance the services we provide. Through her extensive 20-year aviation career, Yan plays a critical role in ensuring the sustainable advancement of aviation in Australia.
How did you achieve your current role?
It’s a privilege to gain the opportunity to lead our Customer Engagement function and contribute what I have learned from working in the aviation industry for nearly 20 years across safety, technology development, strategic planning and procurement roles.
What inspires you? What do you love most about your job?
Working across teams to make a difference for our industry really inspires me. Learning from diverse types of customers across many parts of our aviation industry, as well as our people in Airservices is what I love most about my job.
How do you see women in aviation/your profession breaking the bias locally, nationally or internationally?
Throughout my career, I’ve been mentored, coached and supported by many inspirational women leaders and professionals in aviation. They’ve shown me how to lead, communicate, influence and solve complex problems with confidence and competence. The impact, integrity and talent of women in aviation will continue to help break the bias.
What female role models have inspired you?
My mother and grandmother are my role models in life. Their positive outlook, gratitude and resilience in life, regardless of hardship, continues to inspire me.
What advice would you give women thinking about a career in aviation/at Airservices?
Based on my experience, I’ve professionally grown up in Airservices. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given. I’d strongly encourage women of all ages and backgrounds to seek and establish a career in aviation. The problems we tackle are really interesting and the impact we can make is far reaching to our industry and our society.
Airservices has adopted a hybrid work from home/work from the office model for non-operational teams, do you have any top tips on how to establish a work/life balance?
Setting clear expectations/boundaries at work, while being present with my daughter and spending quality time with her outside work, is really important to me. I’m still working on this, including maintaining a repeatable routine. But I think it’s critical to having a happy and meaningful work/life balance.
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is responsible for the safe and efficient management of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We connect people with their world safely – linking family and friends, generating economic activity, creating jobs and facilitating trade and tourism.
