Rafaella Figueroa continues to grow and inspire
throughout her aviation career
Rafaella Figueroa is the duty manager for Swissport Inc., a worldwide logistics service that has one of its offices in John F. Kennedy airport.
2021 AIRPORT V 22 OICE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT
Figueroa overlooks daily operations including
meetings, budget, support for the day, and
making sure agents have everything they need to
do their jobs, as well as taking care of any concerns
or issues that they may have. She has over
150 agents that report to her that come from various
airlines involved with the company.
She first started working in the aviation industry
in 1998 for Dynair, which later became
Swissport as a check-in agent, which is where she
met a colleague and mentor, Patricia Brendon.
“She always helped me,” said Figueroa. “I
was scared to move up in the company and she
pushed me by telling me that I could do it and she
always supported me and taught me how to do
things better.”
Having someone help to motivate and better
Figueroa in her career has also inspired her to
do the same when she meets new agents who are
interested in furthering their career in the aviation
industry. She helps to motivate them to move
past their fears and struggles and it brings her a
lot of joy to watch them get promoted or advance
to higher positions in the company.
“When I see an agent moving up in the company
and I see them growing, a lot of the time
they have come to me telling me they feel their
English is not good, and I tell them no, I have the
same problem, you guys can do it, and I see them
trying their best. Seeing them become supervisors
makes me happy.”
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
HOBBY: walking, playing with my dog
FAVORITE BOOK: Harry Potter series
FAVORITE MOVIE: Footloose
TRAVEL GOAL: Hawaii
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: “Be happy, be
bright, be you”
2021 Airport Voice
Woman of Achievement
Airport Voice
Figueroa has her sights set on becoming a
passenger services manager in her interest to
continue growing and learning more. Something
she loves about her job in addition to a
company that she said is “very accommodating
and like family,” is the chance for something
different every day when she comes to
work.
“Every day is different, so we don’t get bored,”
said Figueroa. “It makes me happy that I know
every day we get a new experience; everything’s
new.”
Swissport Proudly Honors
Rafaella Figueroa
As a Woman of Achievement.
Rafaella Represents the Leadership,
and Professionalism of all Swissport
Women Upon Which the Swissport Spirit is Built.