#CareerFocus With Shanna Docherty, Head Of Sales for Cathay Pacific SA -

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a 36-year-old professional with a passion for the travel and aviation industry. I am a free-spirited, adventurous individual who loves to see people succeed in life and is always open to learning and trying new things. ‘Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen’ has always been a philosophy I have lived by and I am privileged to have been mentored and led by great leaders in the past, ultimately carving me into the person I have become today.

2. What work do you do?

I am currently Head of Sales for Cathay Pacific in South Africa and the Indian Ocean. Recently, I have been selected to partake in a learning and developmental role as Country Lead in South Africa. My career growth can be attributed to the amazing colleagues who have always believed in me.

3. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for nearly 14 years and most of my aviation career was spent in the Cargo division. I have been working as part of the commercial team on the Passenger side for the past 3.5 years and the change in career path has opened up many more doors and opportunities. The learning is endless and no two days are the same. I believe that challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.

4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why?

Passion is the difference between having a job and having a career. I am blessed to say I have found my career and I am living my passion every day. I love travelling, meeting new people, and discovering cultures. I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s certainly on my list.

5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?

It takes ambition, drive, and the willingness to succeed. There is often a heightened stigma that women are under-represented in leadership roles. This may be the case statistically, but working in a company like Cathay Pacific that fosters equality and inclusion has been instrumental in my own career progression. You should always be clear about your goals and expectations regardless of gender.

6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?

Working in a high-pressure environment for the most part of my career, there is always the juggle between personal and professional life. There have certainly been challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I have always had to manage my time and energy consciously to fulfill both commitments, as well as prioritise self-care and well-being. Maintaining this balance well is always a work in progress.

7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?

Have a vision for the career path you want to follow and own it. The most important is to cultivate confidence within yourself and the sky is the limit.

8. Plans for the future?

I have just recently acquired additional responsibilities as part of my own career progression and I am going to maximise this opportunity to the best of my ability. Learning never stops and my plan is to create a legacy of impact in the years to come.

Short bio:

Shanna Docherty has over ten years of experience in the aviation industry, working for airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Air France KLM. She joined Cathay Pacific in 2019 as Cargo Manager and thereafter took up the role of Head of Sales for Cathay Pacific South Africa and the Indian Ocean in 2020.

Docherty’s responsibilities include identifying new business opportunities and maximising revenue across channels as well as contributing to the airline, its customers, and the communities. Docherty says she’s proud to be part of the resilient aviation industry that was hard hit during the pandemic.

She holds a BA degree in communication science and advocates for female skills development and females creating opportunities for themselves.