CEO Insights Magazine

With over a decade of experience in the aviation industry, Jekaterina Shalopanova, the Chief Operating Officer at Aerviva has demonstrated her proficiency in consulting and managing international companies. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from ISM University of Management and Economics, where she received recognition for one of the top-rated papers in 2013. Jekaterina expanded her expertise by obtaining an ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business in 2018 and has since continued to acquire knowledge in diverse areas of business. As a self-taught professional, Jekaterina excels in multitasking and effectively covers various aspects of business functions. Let’s read more about her in this interaction.

Can you provide a concise overview of your career path?

I began my venture into the aviation industry during my Bachelor's Thesis, and ever since, I have been deeply involved in the aviation world. My professional journey commenced as a data analysis specialist, and later, I became part of an international project in HR consultancies. This involved assisting companies in establishing and growing their business operations in a cost-effective manner, while also focusing on building a robust and trustworthy brand image. Presently, I hold the position of COO at Aerviva company.

Define Aerviva as an organization and position in the market?

Aerviva is an organization that operates within the recruitment industry, particularly in the fast-paced aviation sector. We distinguish ourselves by adopting a human-centric approach to the hiring and contracting process, treating candidates as real individuals rather than mere applicants. Our core values at Aerviva are centered around urgency, transparency, and proactivity. We understand that building trust with candidates and empowering them to feel in control of the recruitment process is essential. To achieve this, our consultants prioritize thoughtfulness and courtesy in all interactions.

What sets Aerviva apart as a dependable and preferred choice for aviation personnel staffing and recruitment solutions?

Aerviva stands out as a specialist aviation recruitment consultancy, making it a favored option for clients seeking aviation-related staffing solutions. With a decade of experience in the industry, our clients trust our comprehensive candidate vetting process, which adheres to essential FCL, ICAO, and EASA standards. Having successfully placed over 7,000 candidates in various aviation roles, we have demonstrated our ability to deliver top-notch recruitment services. Furthermore, our vast network of 100,000+ aviation professionals provides our clients with ample choices for recruitment. In terms of our specialities, we have a strong network of clients that recruit heavily in pilot, cabin crew, and engineering fields.

As the Chief Operating Officer, what factors do you consider while shaping the company's policies?

First and foremost, policies must align with the company's vision, mission, and strategic objectives. Additionally, various factors come into play when formulating policies, including legal and regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and risk management. All these factors are thoroughly taken into account. Of particular importance is the input and engagement of our employees. At Aerviva, we actively involve our employees in the policy-making process to ensure that the policies are not only practical and relevant but also well-received by the workforce. Moreover, our policies are regularly reviewed to adapt to the ever-changing business environment. We take into consideration the availability of advanced IT solutions, the dynamic growth of the company, and the overall trends in the aviation industry to keep our policies up to date and effective.

How do you lead and assess employees' performance in achieving the company's goals?

To ensure goal congruence and successful company operations, effective communication is paramount. We foster communication at all levels, ensuring that each employee is well-informed about the company's objectives, expectations, and the significance of their contributions to the organization. Regular feedback and performance evaluations are conducted to identify any obstacles and make necessary adjustments. Measuring employees' progress is carried out by evaluating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) rel- evant to each individual's role. Additionally, we assess interpersonal communication skills and how well team members fit within their respective teams. The process of measuring progress is conducted transparently and objectively, involving all employees. Regular communication, ongoing feedback, and support through training initiatives further facilitate this assessment. By employing these strategies, we strive to guide our employees towards achieving the company's goals effectively and efficiently.

Describe your leadership style and the principles you adhere to as a leader.

My leadership approach is adaptable and responsive to the specific situations we encounter and the individuals within the team. As we undergo rapid expansion and swift decision-making is essential, I find myself gravitating towards a pacesetting leadership style. However, I understand that a one-size-fits-all leadership style is not appropriate in all circumstances. Once team members feel confident with the established processes, their assigned tasks and are equipped with the necessary tools to achieve our objectives, I believe in empowering them with self-management. While promoting autonomy, I also maintain consistency through regular reviews to ensure progress and alignment with our goals. This blend of trust and support helps foster a productive and empowered team.

In essence, my leadership style is adaptable, combining a directive approach during fast-paced periods with a more hands-off approach when team members demonstrate proficiency and independence. My ultimate aim is to enable our team to thrive while achieving our collective objectives.

What are your future aspirations and plans for the upcoming years?

In the coming years, our focus is on expanding our range of services to support the fast-paced recovery of the aviation industry. As the COO, I find the company's growth both challenging and thrilling. My primary goal is to ensure that this growth is sustainable while maintaining a competitive advantage in the market.

Jekaterina Shalopanova, COO, Aerviva

Jekaterina Shalopanova, the Chief Operating Officer of Aerviva, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from ISM University of Management and Economics and in 2018, she earned the ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business, continuously expanding her expertise across multiple business domains ever since.

• Hobbies: Urban hiking, outdoor swimming, travelling

• Favorite Cuisine: Foodie with sweet tooth and special love for seafood

• Favorite Travel Destination: Turkey, Spain, and many more

• Awards & Recognition: ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business