JetBlue's First Female President Wants More Diversity and Higher Profits

After Joanna Geraghty became the second-highest ranking executive at JetBlue Airways in May, she monitored how others responded. "I started keeping notes on people's reaction when I tell them I'm president and chief operating officer because in some cases I think it's very unique," she said. "It's definitely a reaction that might be different than if I were a man." Most responses are positive, she said, especially from JetBlue's crew members, men and women, who often say they've shared the news with their daughters. Geraghty hadn't prepared for others to treat her as a trailblazer, but that's what happens in an industry in which women occupy so few few top roles she's sometimes the only woman in meetings. JetBlue's Joanna Geraghty Is Speaking at Skift Global Forum. Register Now "I didn't realize necessarily what this move would do in terms of connecting with a future generation of women that want to go into the industry," she said. “I didn't think it was that big a deal when I stepped into the role because I am somebody who believes gender shouldn't make a difference in these positions.” Geraghty is believed to be the first female president at a larger U.S. airline since Colleen Barrett at Southwest Airlines from 2001 to 2008. Former Federal Aviation Administration chief Jane Garvey is chairman of United Airlines, but it is a non-executive role and she is not running the company, day-to-day. [caption id="attachment_295829" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Joanna Geraghty is the only woman president of a larger U.S. airline.[/caption] Elsewhere, the situation is similar. Among the world’s top 100 airlines, just two — VietJet Air and Air Europa — have female CEOs, according to analysis earlier this month from trade magazi