BEHIND the humming engines and intricate systems of Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), the sight of a woman leading the maintenance team continues to be a powerful symbol of progress.

In the traditionally male-dominated field of aviation and engineering, a dedicated and driven Kathryn Prendergast is doing more than maintaining infrastructure; she is breaking barriers and reshaping perceptions in her role as director of maintenance at PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) — the company that operates NMIA.

PACKAL is a subsidiary of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the leading airport operator in the region.

The firstborn of two, and only girl for her parents, Kathryn, a seasoned mechanical engineer, grew up around trucks, grease, tyres, troubleshooting with the guys. Her parents operated a haulage contracting business and that set the stage for her career path.

“My father did not place gender limitations on what I could do. My mother, having seen the traits I inherited from him, introduced me to engineering and sent me to live my father’s dream, which was a career in mechanical engineering. I’ve always been the kind of person who was going to learn everything,” said Prendergast with a satisfied smile.

Her strong value system and work ethic were shaped by her parents and a grandmother who instilled the importance of hard work, striving for excellence, perseverance, and resilience, which ultimately became the foundation on which Prendergast built her successful career.

After graduating from the University of Technology, Jamaica with a degree in mechanical engineering, she embarked on a challenging yet rewarding journey as a young resident engineer in 2007 at NMIA, at a time when the terminal was being expanded.

“I had taken someone’s dream and made it a reality, making sure it functions in the real world,” Prendergast said as she reflected on the moment she knew that she had found her career of choice.

“That’s when I realised that engineering is nothing that they teach you in school, rather, it’s the heartbeat of being on the ground and taking the design from paper and bringing it to life,” added Prendergast.

While she did not encounter significant gender bias in the aviation industry, Prendergast was not as lucky during college — where she was the only girl in a class of 16 — and during her early years as an engineer.

“I was failed twice by my lecturers for two engineering courses during my period of study, and I didn’t even get a chance to lobby for myself — my classmates opened a petition on my behalf.

“That followed me into the work world, where it was never the workmen below me who posed a challenge but those on my level or in senior positions who were uncomfortable with a young girl walking into the room as an engineer. However, I intentionally worked harder after I realised it wasn’t me working for them, but channelled that negative energy into building a successful career,” explained Prendergast.

Commenting on her typical workday at NMIA, Prendergast said she focuses on preventative or routine maintenance and the several projects slated for 2025 as she navigates the daily meetings, e-mail, and paperwork that come with her management role.

“I think we’re still in a culture of building a preventative maintenance mindset as opposed to being reactive and corrective, getting the people internally and the contractors to sign on to routine maintenance. The heavier side of my role is to change our approach from waiting to doing, saving us repair time and money,” shared Prendergast.

Reflecting on her leadership style, Prendergast said she fosters a positive and supportive work environment by prioritising and humanising relationships with her team members.

She said she is also committed to open communication across all levels, prioritising safety, and ensuring that her team members understand how their roles contribute to the overall picture.

“When you tie their success to my success and to the success of the company and show that we’re one big ship, it makes a difference in how the team performs. I also learnt from my dad that a good leader must lead by example — I learn what they learn, and I know what they know so that we can grow together,” said Prendergast

Among long-term goals for NMIA — the designated emergency airport for Jamaica — are automated building management systems, quick-to-touch assessments, digital metering, and more efficient monitoring, utilising available technologies.

“My dream is for us to be natural and innate. I want us to reach a point where my team is familiar with the routine before the work order arrives. So it’s not just the job that they come to every day but the job they’re proud of, to maintain the airport where people can travel safely every day — a well-oiled machinery,” said Prendergast.

Despite the demanding nature of her profession, Prendergast understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

In her free time she enjoys the simple pleasures of crayons and a colouring book on her couch, along with her favourite drink, and outside of that, family time and a road trip to the beach or river.

“It’s really important for me to take time to reconnect with myself so that I can tackle the next levels of a stressful day when they come,” she shared.