Ahead of International Women’s Rights Day, Latecoere reaffirms its commitment to gender equality.
While progress has been made, challenges persist. To support this transformation, a mentorship program led by female members of the Executive Committee was recently launched, fostering the development of female talent and empowering them to grow within the company.
Through a series of interviews, three women at Latecoere share their perspectives on professional equality and highlight the concrete actions driving diversity forward. Three voices, one shared ambition: making change happen.
Photo credit: Latecoere
From an HR perspective, what role does corporate culture play in fostering gender equality, and what levers can be activated to create a more inclusive work environment?
Corporate culture is a powerful enabler of gender equality. While tracking KPIs helps measure progress, the real challenge lies in creating an environment where differences are valued, respected, and fully integrated into daily operations. Achieving this requires a leadership model rooted in openness and awareness of cognitive biases that unconsciously influence decision-making. Concrete actions—such as training programs, inclusive leadership development, and transparent career progression opportunities—are essential to providing everyone with the framework needed to thrive.
Our leaders must lead by example and spark a virtuous cycle. However, gender equity cannot be imposed from the top down; it must be built collectively, with clear communication and active engagement at every level of the organization.
You joined Latecoere just over a year ago. What is your perspective on gender equality within the group? What key observations have you made so far?
With 35% of our workforce being women, Latecoere has a solid foundation for gender diversity. However, a closer look reveals structural disparities and biases: while women are well-represented in Interconnection Systems production roles, where precision work is key, their presence declines significantly in Aerostructures and leadership positions. This underscores the need for a proactive approach—one that empowers women to step forward, build confidence, and seize leadership opportunities. The challenge is not just about numbers but about fostering an environment where women can explore new career paths and advance into top management roles.
Every day, I meet brilliant women within the organization. Many are unaware of the concept of self-censorship or how they may—often unconsciously—contribute to the gender imbalance. Raising collective awareness can be a powerful tool to break down these barriers and drive real change.
What actions will be implemented in 2025 and beyond to accelerate progress toward greater equality?
There is a strong company-wide aspiration for progress, with countries like Mexico and Bulgaria leading the way. However, to translate ambition into tangible results, we must focus on structuring HR processes and fostering inclusive behaviors.
At the end of 2024, we launched a Diversity & Inclusion Committee, bringing together HR leaders from our 14 countries to define a structured action plan. Key initiatives will include identifying and scaling locally proven best practices, implementing awareness programs, and expanding our mentorship program led by female top executives. My role is to ensure that gender equality is embedded across all HR initiatives—from leadership development to career progression strategies—and that we actively promote and apply non-sexist behaviors in our daily operations.
Achieving lasting change will require sustained effort, consistency, and accountability in the years ahead.
How do you measure success in your efforts to foster gender equality at Latecoere?
Success in gender equality isn’t defined by a single metric—it’s about cultural shifts, improved representation, and concrete actions. One key indicator will be the increase in women taking on leadership roles. We will also assess the impact of our coaching programs, particularly in how they support women’s career progression. Additionally, tracking employee satisfaction and engagement, especially regarding inclusivity, will be crucial.
What about the dynamics at play within the aerospace industry?
The past few years have been challenging for our industry, but with new projects emerging and the pace of transformation accelerating, the momentum for change is here. There is a strong desire to move forward, making this the right time to harness the power of diversity as a driver of progress.
Ultimately, fostering a more inclusive environment isn’t just about supporting women—it strengthens the entire organization. Diverse teams bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, enhancing performance and resilience in an increasingly complex economic and societal landscape. By ensuring equal opportunities for all, we cultivate a richer culture, making Latecoere both a great place to work and a stronger, more competitive company.
Want to be part of a company that values diversity and empowers talent?
Explore career opportunities at Latecoere and join us in shaping the future of aerospace.
