In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke with Olivia Brino and Sophia Huq, leaders of Wisk’s Women Employee Resource Group, about their careers, leadership philosophies, and the importance of building community at Wisk. From aviation and continuous improvement to supply chain strategy, both have built unique careers in aerospace and are passionate about supporting and connecting women across the company. 

Olivia Brino | Program Manager of Continuous Improvement 

A passionate skydiver and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Olivia lives and breathes aviation. She holds a BS in Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and is a licensed FAA Private Pilot, Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) operator. At Wisk, she is a Manager for Continuous Improvement (CI) and is always finding ways to improve the processes that keep us safe from the ground up.

Can you share a bit about your role at Wisk and your day-to-day responsibilities?

My primary focus is enhancing the operational performance of our teams. Since Continuous Improvement (CI) can be applied anywhere, I have the unique opportunity to work across all teams in the organization and learn something new each day. My responsibilities range from project management to developing process maps and collaborating with team members from all levels to pinpoint operational challenges. At times, my role also incorporates the functions of a data analyst.

What makes working at Wisk different from other places you’ve worked?

The people. There are so many brilliant and like-minded individuals here. Wisk fosters a wonderful community where you can always find people who share your interests, whether it's flying, music, AI, riding motorcycles, or snowboarding, there's almost certainly a Slack channel ready to welcome you.

What made you raise your hand to lead the Women’s Group at Wisk?

Wisk has given me the chance to work with incredible women. I view this as a way to reciprocate the support I've received and help open doors through our WERG network. I’m also driven by my own experience as a young girl eager to learn about aviation. We’ve already participated in fantastic local events aimed at inspiring young girls in this field, and I’m excited to broaden that reach with the WERG team!

Who was the first woman in your career who really went out of her way to help you?

I am deeply grateful to Melinda Murray-Nyack, who gave me my first opportunity at a major airline and introduced me to Continuous Improvement, sparking a lifelong passion. I also want to acknowledge the Wisk women who have been incredible mentors and supporters: Julie Bulrice, Janet Jenkins, and Meghan Wright. Additionally, I have been fortunate to work with and learn from truly phenomenal male leaders and colleagues, for whom I hold immense respect and gratitude.

What’s one positive shift you’ve seen in aerospace culture since you started your career?

When I began flying at 16, it was a challenge to find even one or two female flight instructors who could serve as teachers and mentors to introduce me to the field. Now, when I visit my local flight school, I'm overwhelmingly greeted by women across all ages and roles, from Managers and Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) to both new and advanced students pursuing careers in commercial aviation. It's truly fantastic to see the change today.

If you could go back to your first day in the workforce and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Everyone is human, therefore failure is inevitable for all of us. Allow yourself to experience it, learn from it, and then let it go. Similarly, you didn't need to conform to a specific dress code, like that blazer with shoulder pads and a pencil skirt, to command respect. You can let that outdated outfit and belief go as well.

What kind of leader are you trying to become?

My goal is to lead with empathy. Maintaining empathy is crucial in my Continuous Improvement role, especially because our discussions often involve meeting people during stressful times or exploring challenging aspects of their work. 

If you could grab coffee with any woman from history, who would it be and what’s the first thing you’d ask her?

Amelia Earhart. The first thing I would ask is what inspired her to start flying and did those feelings change over the time. My quick second question would be to ask what really happened…

Sophia Huq | Senior Supply Chain Strategist

Sophia leads strategy for the supply chain organization at Wisk, focusing on developing Wisk’s commodity strategy and building a robust supply chain. Before joining Wisk, she spent several years at Boeing, where she developed expertise in innovation strategy, corporate venture capital, and government relations related to autonomy and sustainability. Sophia holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Supply Chain Management and International Relations from Michigan State University.

Can you share a bit about your role at Wisk and your day-to-day responsibilities?

My primary responsibility is the development and implementation of core supply chain strategies related to Make/Buy decisions, Commodity Strategies for batteries, radars, and Global Supply Chain sourcing. Key initiatives I drive include the assessment of country risks and geopolitics and the construction of Supplier Strategic Playbooks for major partners. I also lead internal, cross-functional Strategy Kick-Offs with Legal, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Engineering before contracting with suppliers. 

What makes working at Wisk different from other places you’ve worked?

Wisk offers a unique, fast-paced environment where we are simultaneously building the company and the aircraft. This "all hands on deck" culture requires everyone to wear multiple hats. I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate closely with the Commercialization & Airline Development team, something that can be more difficult in larger, more matrixed organizations.

What made you raise your hand to lead the Women’s Group at Wisk?

As a remote employee, I saw this as a prime opportunity to share my experience from Boeing, connect with more Wisk team members, and serve as a resource for others. My passion for inclusivity makes this a meaningful way to ensure everyone feels comfortable and has a seat at the table.

Who was the first woman in your career who really went out of her way to help you?

Nicola Bates at Boeing was one of the first female leaders I encountered who was authentically and unapologetically herself. She was a fierce advocate for me and helped shape me into the type of aerospace leader I aspire to be. Beyond Nic, I am grateful for the support from many other key leaders at both Boeing and Wisk, including Mimi Basic and Janet Jenkins, who have been instrumental in paving the pathway for my career growth.

If you could go back to your first day in the workforce and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Seek out a wide variety of mentors and surround yourself with people whose careers inspire you. Also, don’t be intimidated by being the only woman in the room; these experiences often become the greatest learning opportunities for building resilience.

What kind of leader are you trying to become?

I strive to lead by example, embodying empathy, honesty, inclusion, and humility. My goal is to be a subject matter expert in strategy while acting as a visionary and a coach to my team. My approach is focused on relationship-building and ensuring shared success while remaining adaptable to the situation at hand.

Thank you, Olivia and Sophia, for your leadership and for helping make autonomous flight a reality. Interested in joining the team at Wisk? Apply to our open roles here.