United Airlines recently appointed Estee Lauder executive Michelle Freyre to its board of directors, making her the second woman to join the carrier’s board this year. Michelle has extensive experience in business and product strategy, having previously worked with brands such as Clinique and Origins. This move comes as part of United’s efforts to diversify its board and executive teams in order to shed its predominantly male image. In February, Walgreens CEO Rosalind Brewer was also appointed to the board, highlighting the airline’s commitment to increasing gender diversity at the leadership level.
Freyre’s appointment will bring the total number of women on United’s board of directors to five, out of a total of 14 members. This move reflects a broader trend in the airline industry, with other major carriers such as American, Delta, and Southwest also working towards a more balanced gender makeup on their boards. Currently, roughly 20% of board seats at these airlines are held by women. This reflects a larger industry-wide effort to promote gender diversity in leadership roles, with initiatives like the International Air Transport Association’s “25by2025” aiming to increase the number of women in senior leadership positions across the airline industry.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expressed enthusiasm about Freyre joining the board, highlighting her skills in modernizing and celebrating historic brands. Michelle’s background in the beauty industry, including her role as president of Clinique and Origins, brings a unique perspective to the board. Her appointment follows a trend of airlines appointing women to key leadership positions, with JetBlue recently appointing Joanna Geraghty as CEO, making her the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline. These moves signal a shift towards greater gender diversity and inclusion in the traditionally male-dominated aviation sector.
As the airline industry continues to diversify its leadership, companies like United are making strides towards creating more inclusive boards and executive teams. Freyre’s appointment is a step in the right direction, bringing fresh perspectives and experiences to the boardroom. United’s commitment to increasing gender diversity reflects broader industry trends, with other airlines also taking steps to address gender imbalances at the leadership level. Initiatives like “25by2025” are driving change and encouraging airlines to prioritize gender diversity in their leadership ranks.
Overall, United Airlines’ appointment of Michelle Freyre to its board of directors underscores the importance of gender diversity in the aviation industry. As airlines strive to shed their predominantly male images, initiatives like the “25by2025” program are pushing for increased representation of women in leadership roles. With companies like United and JetBlue leading the way in appointing women to key positions, the industry is gradually becoming more inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives. Freyre’s appointment is a positive step towards achieving more balanced gender representation on corporate boards and advancing gender equality in the airline sector.
