Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change Cleaning Up Redux: A Magnificent Woman And Her Flying Machines - Bonny Simi
Aug 27, 2025
Bonny Simi, President of Operations at Joby Aviation, is a trailblazer in electric aviation and a three-time Olympian in luge. She shares her inspiring journey from a childhood love for airplanes to leading innovations in eVTOL technology. Bonny discusses her time at JetBlue, where she founded Technology Ventures, and insights into integrating sustainable advancements in aviation. She also reflects on the resilience gained from her Olympic journey and the importance of embracing personal strengths for career growth.
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Childhood Airport Sparked A Career
- Bonny Simi grew up watching planes at a small airport and dreamt of flying from age five.
- That childhood curiosity later guided her career choices toward aviation and the Olympics.
From Torchbearer To Olympian
- Bonny discovered luge after volunteering as an Olympic torchbearer and watching winter sports in Lake Placid.
- She transitioned from college field hockey ambitions to competing in luge and later made three Olympic teams.
Aim Big, Break Down Steps
- Set a massively ambitious long-term goal and then break it into small actionable steps every day.
- Build an ecosystem of supporters so the goal gains momentum and becomes achievable.