Helping you keep pace in industries moving at the speed of light

Nikki Malcom, CEO & Executive Director of Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance

What does it take to climb from an entry-level position to the executive suite in aerospace? Join us as Nikki Malcom, CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), shares her incredible journey from an 18-year-old filing assistant to leading one of North America’s largest commercial aerospace manufacturing clusters. Nikki’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, relationship-building, and problem-solving. Get ready to hear how her passion and skills drove double-digit sales growth and led her to spearhead innovation and community building within the aerospace industry.

Throughout the discussion, Nikki highlights the pivotal role of diversity and supportive management in shaping the future of aerospace. She also explores the challenges of attracting top talent in a rapidly changing work environment and provides valuable insights into generational differences in workplace motivations. Discover how companies can adapt their hiring practices to align with the values of younger generations. Additionally, we tackle the complexities of remote work and the transformative potential of aerospace careers for individuals from challenging backgrounds. Buckle up to break down accessibility barriers, learn the importance of getting comfortable with discomfort and so much more! Further key points throughout include:

  • How Curiosity and Persistent Questioning Fueled Nikki’s Career Advancement
  • The secret to achieving Consistent Double-Digit Sales Growth
  • Building Strong Vendor Relationships and Lasting Partnerships
  • Breathing Fresh Life into the Aerospace Industry
  • The Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs in the Aerospace Industry
  • A Push for Faster Progress in Advancing Diversity in Aerospace
  • Workforce development: What is the incentive for people to move faster?
  • Being uncomfortable in growth: Pursuing Dreams in Uncertain Times
  • The Aerospace Career Awareness Campaign: Elevating Awareness of Careers and Training Opportunities in Aerospace
  • Curating a Diverse Board: Selecting Members with Varied Skills and Experiences
  • Top Tips for Building a Powerful Team Today
  • Advice for Young People Seeking Career Progression

“You get your work done way faster. What’s your reward for that, more work? My hypothesis is that if you incentivize them, you’re gonna see that your productivity goes through the roof. So we have to think differently about what motivates them.” –  Nikki Malcom.

Listen on:

Ready to transform your hiring strategy and attract top defense talent? Take our 12-question quiz to discover where your firm stands and receive a personalized report to boost your recruitment success! Take the quiz now: https://elraysearch.scoreapp.com/

Are you ready to unleash the beast in defense recruiting? Join us next time on Mission Critical Defense Recruiting, the ultimate podcast unveiling strategies to build powerhouse teams in the defense industry. Don’t miss out on the inside scoop for crafting your unbeatable squad!

Get connected with Nikki Malcom:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkimalcom

https://www.pnaa.net

https://www.aerospace-connect.com

Get connected with your host, Katherine Jerald:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejerald

Subscribe to Elray Insights

Additional Insights

Podcast

Heather Bulk, President & CEO of Special Aerospace Services

Buckle up for an inspiring episode with Heather Bulk, the powerhouse CEO and co-founder of Special Aerospace Services. Over the past 17 years, He....

Read More
Podcast

Suzi McBride, COO & Board Member of Iridium

What happens when calculated risks pay off? You’re about to find out! This week, we welcome ‘satellite queen’, Suzi McBride, a true powerho....

Read More

firmly focused A&D recruitment

Reliably locating and engaging the leaders of aerospace and defense