ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019 - 52

AT A GLANCE

Christine Rovelli
Vice President, Group Treasurer, Finnair
ISTAT Foundation Trustee

Jetrader: What do you like most
about the aviation industry?
Christine Rovelli (CR): The aviation
industry is the thread that runs through
the micro and the macro of modern life:
economics, politics, finance, society.
It's filled with interesting people who all
bring something different to the issues
and challenges of a highly regulated,
cyclical industry, and the permutations
of conditions - along with their impact
on aviation - facilitate a constant
dialogue with industry stakeholders
that compels us to work together
on initiatives such as regulation and
climate change. I'm always meeting
new people and engaging with the most
intelligent minds on topics affecting
aviation; I've found that ISTAT has a
fantastic platform for this, and I'm
excited to be able to play a part in
furthering the industry's impact through
the ISTAT Foundation.
Jetrader: What is the most
challenging part of your profession?
CR: Many of the same things that make
the industry fun for me also make
it challenging. There are numerous
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* T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F I S TAT

In finance, we don't tend to like surprises, but,
in aviation, every day brings something new. That's what
keeps the job interesting.
stakeholders and competitors as well as
the financial markets, all of which act in
ways that are locally rational but appear
to be systemically chaotic! In finance,
we don't tend to like surprises, but, in
aviation, every day brings something
new. That's what keeps the job
interesting; I'm constantly refocusing
and developing different skills.
Jetrader: Who has had the greatest
influence on your career?
CR: The industry is full of professionals
who are generous with their time and
advice to those who are starting out,
and I am fortunate to have benefited
from the experience of many people
who have influenced my career path
and trajectory. In terms of choosing
aviation as a career, my parents used
to take me to O'Hare to watch the

planes take off, back when I was very
young; I remember wanting more than
anything to be part of that!
Jetrader: What was your first job?
CR: I spent over 15 years on the
investment banking side of the
aviation industry, starting as an
analyst modeling capital markets and
M&A transactions for the aviation
value chain - from suppliers and
OEMs to airlines and airports.
Eventually, I was persuaded to make
the move to the operating side, and my
only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
What I enjoy most about what I do now
is the ability to have an impact - on
the development of my team, on the
company, on the industry - which is
incredibly motivating.
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2019
