CARGOCONNECT-OCTOBER2024 - Flipbook - Page 82
KIRSTEN DE BRUIJN
Executive Vice President, WestJet Cargo
A
I stumbled into the
logistics industry quite
by chance. After studying
hotel management and gaining
experience in hotels, I was recruited
by Martinair for a procurement
role, drawing on my background in
the US. I began with hotel and retail
procurement and gradually transitioned into operations, ultimately
overseeing cargo and passenger
operations across the Americas.
This journey led me to become
a dedicated cargo professional,
especially after KLM’s acquisition
of Martinair. This pivotal moment
opened doors to various global
roles, including overseeing revenue
management and pricing in Asia.
The journey has been incredible, filled with the most amazing opportunities across every
continent. I’m deeply grateful to
every airline that has given me the
chance to grow and contribute to
this dynamic industry.
Witnessing Purposeful
Transformations
Two benchmarking changes I’ve
seen are the evolution of the cargo
business during COVID and its
newfound prominence in aviation.
Before the pandemic, cargo was
often overlooked, but during the
pandemic, it became essential, with
market data and CEOs increasingly
recognising its value.
Navigating Career
Challenges
The biggest obstacle I’ve faced
was running cargo operations
from home during the pandemic.
Managing an airline remotely while
ensuring cargo kept moving, even
as the world shut down, was a signi昀椀cant challenge, but it reinforced
the critical role of cargo in global
supply chains.
Success Is Subjective
Success can be de昀椀ned in various
ways, including team achievements,
performance metrics, meeting
82 | CARGOCONNECT OCTOBER 2024
It's all about fostering a
culture of excellence and
continuous improvement
targets and budgets, and ensuring employee satisfaction. It often
depends on the stage of your career
and the specific goals or cycles
you’re experiencing at the time.
Epitomising Effective
Leadership
One key belief I live by is the value
of hiring people who are better
at what they do than I could ever
be. By surrounding yourself with
talented individuals who excel in
their areas, you not only elevate the
overall performance of the team but
also foster a culture of excellence
and continuous improvement.
Another key belief I hold is to
be clear, have honest communication. This helps build trust and
ensures that everyone is on the
same page, which is crucial for
e昀昀ective teamwork and decisionmaking, especially in my role.
Finding a State Of
Equilibrium
Apart from work, I’m a big NFL
(American National Football
League) fan—Go Bears! I also
enjoy entertaining and have
a large social circle, thanks
to living in various places
around the world.
Weekend Escapes
My favourite weekend
getaway is Florida.
Culinary Love
I’ve been a vegetarian
for 28 years, and my
go-to cuisines are
Indian and Thai—
always as spicy as
possible!
As said to Upamanyu Borah
Fulfiling Journey
