MacKenzie Goldman

Background

About MacKenzie Goldman

When I was a little girl, I couldn’t wait to grow up and become a pilot – to take to the skies and explore, to stretch my wings, and see the world from a new perspective. Flash forward: I did become a private pilot, and flying continues to be a major hobby and passion of mine. But, what did I learn along the way? Preparation and thinking ahead are key to a successful and safe flight, and the skills I’ve learned as a pilot translate well to my corporate career. Pilots have the axiom: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate – our rules for ensuring we return safely to the ground. First we focus on the main task of flying the plane (aviate), then we figure out where we want to go (navigate), and finally we communicate those intentions to others. Applying those same three rules has helped shape my work in retail. First, I leverage my talent for organization and collaboration to maintain my line of business. Then I utilize strategic planning and research to build a roadmap for how I want to grow the business (additional product offerings or promotions, reaching new customers, etc.). Finally, my interpersonal, public speaking, writing, and design skills help me communicate that direction and secure alignment from internal and external key stakeholders. People like to say, “The sky is the limit.” But, as a pilot, I know it’s really only the beginning. In retail, I’ll continue to push the boundaries and leverage the principles of aviate, navigate, and communicate to find success for myself and the broader organization.