Kirsten has over 30 years’ experience in the operational and regulatory areas of commercial aviation. She has been dedicated to implementing safety and risk management principles and has experience in implementing organisational change, with a specific passion to ensuring people are central to decisions and solutions. She is passionate about designing processes that recognise the inter-dependencies within the aviation system and prioritise the human element, recognizing the importance of human-centred approaches.
Her journey began with British Airways, and transitioned to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2005, where she worked in Aerodromes, ATM and International strategy. Kirsten finished her career with the CAA as the Advanced Air Mobility Strategy Lead, coordinating regulatory readiness for eVTOL Operations, paving the way for future aviation. In this capacity, Kirsten served as the Chair of the ICAO AAM Study Group.
Kirsten’s passion for aviation and people extends beyond her professional achievements. She is a Trustee for a school Local Academy Trust, an active mentor for students and young aviation professionals, and a dedicated STEM advocate.