By Shefali Kapadia
When Karin Hoeing first joined BAE Systems, a U.K.-based global defense, security and aerospace company, nearly eight years ago, she was the only woman on the executive committee. But that wasn’t the only thing that made her stand out: She is German, unlike her mostly British and American male peers at the time, and she had come to BAE Systems from the oil and gas industry rather than an aerospace or defense company.
Hoeing, who is now the director of culture and business transformation in the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) group, admits that her atypical background led to some awkward meetings and extra work on her part to win over her fellow leaders. But she soon felt at home. “Once you have broken down the first resistance and uncertainty about you, people are very receptive,” she says of her colleagues.
Fast forward to today, and BAE Systems’ C-suite looks very different, with five females and seven males on its executive committee. The company’s progress on this front has led to more equal representation of women across leadership roles, and it’s helped the company earn the No. 25 spot on our list of the World’s Top Companies For Women 2025.
SHEFALI KAPADIA 