Women's Right Day: interview with Beth de Young, VP of Business Development at Safran Cabin

Based in Hungtington Beach, US, Beth de Young is Vice President, Marketing & Strategy at Safran Cabin – for 4 years. Previously, she hosted different positions at Zodiac Aerospace for 20 years.

Connecting people to move the company forward to overcome challenges and continue to lead the industry.

Change! While change can challenge us and be uncomfortable, it also demands creativity and problem solving and growth.  Change is opportunity.  

In my career, I’ve seen the industry changed dramatically as the world has changed, but we are working in an industry segment that is slow to change.  Changes that affected everyone are simple things like internet. Suddenly Web pages and emails made the world a smaller place. The Blackberry and iPhone connected us 7/24 to our emails, to our customers and our suppliers, and made global commerce easier.   

These changes were unrelated to the aerospace industry, but drove change such as a global supply chain for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) instead of primarily regional suppliers.

Recognizing these changes and pivoting drive growth just as we are doing today at embracing solutions for a net zero carbon future and employee diversity at Safran.

The hardest challenges are rarely solved as an individual. Working as a team so much can be achieved.  Don’t be afraid, take on limited risk as a team and work in the best interest of the company to overcome obstacles together. Build on the small wins, it’s invigorating and satisfying.  Working together everyone is more confident to take on What’s Next?! 

We need to train and attract women to our industry, and these celebrations demonstrate success of women in contributing to our growth and reinforcing their value and place in our industry.  Without women and other minorities, we eliminate a large amount of talent from our industry that is threatened by non-aerospace disrupters, many in the space segment that in recent years have embraced women in their ranks. 

Face your fears, believe in yourself, even when you are doubting, keep moving forward. Reach out, take a class, do your research, check your numbers, and ask for help, get input, solicit ideas, and above all, stay focused on working in the best interest of the business.  If that’s rudder for your motivation in your business decision it’s a strong path for success.