________________________________________________________________________________________________ Main
Interview machines alone. It will come from people who can connect technology with purpose.”
Continuing with the people side of aerospace manufacturing, Katarzyna notes that it is still a sector where women are underrepresented, and the small but noticeable biases she faces.“ When I walk into a meeting, I am very often the only woman in the room,” she says.“ Even today, there are moments when external partners or stakeholders instinctively assume that my role is administrative rather than strategic or technical. It’ s not hostility- it’ s habit.”
Another challenge lies in expectations.“ Women leaders are often expected to be softer, more diplomatic, less direct,” she adds.“ I find I must prove my knowledge and expertise in a way that my male colleagues don’ t.
“ But effective leadership isn’ t about fitting into someone else’ s definition, it’ s about balance. There are moments that require empathy, and moments that demand firmness. For me, true leadership means knowing when to use each.”
Katarzyna’ s approach is to let results speak for themselves.“ I’ ve never seen challenges as obstacles. To me, they have always been opportunities to demonstrate competence, clarity, and resilience,” she states.“ Over time, I’ ve learned that persistence and consistency dismantle bias faster than words ever could. When people see your work ethic, your technical understanding, and your results- perception changes.”
For Katarzyna, leadership has never been about gender.“ It’ s about authenticity, being prepared and acting with clarity under pressure. Leading in this environment requires focus, empathy, and a certain toughness- qualities that aren’ t male or female, but human,” she explains.“ Ultimately, I believe that diversity in leadership isn’ t just about representation, it’ s about creating
manufacturing-today. com 15