Safran hosts its first Women@Safran Regional Event in Mexico

This gathering, which took place in Chihuahua during August, brought together Safran leaders and employees with the goal of strengthening and developing the Women@Safran initiative. The project came about through the collective effort and commitment of female employees at Safran, and was designed to connect, support and promote more women in the company to create an environment where their voices are heard and their contributions acknowledged at all levels.

The event addressed key issues, including the importance of connecting women to share local efforts and initiatives; the need to recruit, retain and promote more women in leadership positions; and the importance of supporting female leaders within the company.

It also provided a platform to discuss the global progress of women in the industry – from engineers to technicians and executives. While significant progress has been made, the need to keep pushing to close the gender gap was stressed, particularly in senior management positions and specialized technical roles. 

In Mexico – and particularly in Chihuahua – more than 50% of Safran employees are women, proving that gender balance is possible and beneficial for all.

Guest speaker Peter Lengyel, the President & CEO of Safran USA, stressed that the Safran Group considers diversity and inclusion as key factors to drive performance, innovation, and well-being. He highlighted the fact that Safran is making strides towards greater gender equality, pointing to several initiatives that have been implemented at the Group and company level. 

Lengyel said the strides in greater gender equality include women’s career development and upskilling; awareness-raising sessions on unconscious bias and sexism; support of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) programs that encourage young women to pursue scientific and technical careers; and the development of Women@Safran networks. 

Alejandro Cardona, the President & Delegate of Safran Mexico, highlighted the importance of this first regional Women@Safran event in Mexico, marking a significant step in the inclusion and promotion of women within the company and the aerospace industry. 

Cardona emphasized his personal commitment to gender equity, acknowledging the achievements made – such as increased female representation - but also pointing out that much remains to be done. Drawing from his personal experience, Cardona pointed to the challenges women face in the industry, and said he supports a cultural shift toward true gender equity, where talent and ability are the only determinants. He concluded by calling for reflection on how gender inclusion and equity can be integral to business strategy, ensuring a more inclusive and fair future where women not only participate, but also lead.

Several future challenges for Women@Safran were outlined during the event, including expanding support networks, attracting more female talent, and ensuring more women can achieve leadership positions. The event highlighted the fact that Women@Safran is an essential initiative for the growth of the company.

Women@Safran aims to connect, recruit, and promote more women into leadership positions, fostering an environment where women can thrive. With events such as the meeting in Chihuahua, Safran not only promotes gender equality within the company, but also sets an example for the entire industry.