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Stephanie Hart, Director of Professional Services at Veryon, is one of this year’s 2019 AMT Next Gen 40 Under 40 Awards winners. Selected from across all segments of the aviation industry, each of the winners had a common love and respect for aviation.
Stephanie is helping Veryon build a future where aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), while troubleshooting, can collaborate effortlessly using software for diagnostic assistance and maintenance data analytics. Her experience managing large aerospace, defence, and government service programs, combined with her strong engineering and technical skills, made her an ideal candidate to build and lead a dedicated Professional Services department within Veryon.
When and how did you develop an interest in aviation? What motivated you?
Since a very young age, I was interested in jobs that seemed really hard and cool, and I went through many options that included brain surgeon and pilot, before I settled on aerospace engineering. I got hooked on space when I visited Cape Canaveral on a family vacation. At 16, I attended a NASA Space Camp, which encouraged me to pursue Aerospace Engineering. Later, I joined the Engineering Science program at the University of Toronto where I earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science.
Could you walk us through the step-by-step process that took you to where you are today?
After graduating, I was hired by Atlantis, a company that built aircraft simulators. Starting as a simulation developer, I moved through the ranks to become a team lead, systems engineer, and eventually a project manager. At that point, I realized that I would rather know a little bit about a lot, instead of all the details about a few things, and project management was perfect. I remained involved in the cool/interesting technical side of things, but I was able to work on the big picture and make all the pieces come together. After some great years at Atlantis, where I had the opportunity to learn from great PMs, it was time to move on, and I was hired by Veryon.
At Veryon, I moved into the domain of complex equipment maintenance, diagnostics, and reliability. I have had the opportunity to help grow and mentor our technically diverse Professional Services team of subject matter experts, software and database engineers, business analysts, and program managers. The Veryon leadership team has taught, supported, and encouraged me along the way.
As a woman, did you always feel empowered working in this industry?
I would say yes. It may have been partly blissful ignorance, but I never really considered that I could or would be held back because I am a woman. Also, Veryon has been, and is, a great place to work and women play a key role in company operations. Veryon has always been and continues to be active supporters of the aviation industry’s initiatives that recognize women’s contributions, and of women in the aviation industry – such as the WAI scholarship, sponsoring women pursuing the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenses.
What are some words of advice/encouragement you would give young girls in their future careers?
To advance their career goals with determination and passion, and stand up for themselves and other women, calling out sexism when they see it and have the confidence to speak up.
Stephanie is excited about improving processes, executing innovations and motivating her team to take the Veryon Professional Services department to the next level, supporting Veryon’s vision for growth.
Congratulations Stephanie, we value and admire your diligence, passion, and dedication to this industry and Veryon.