Long Life Learning Michael Swiatek on Why This Is the Golden Age of Accessibility and Life
This week’s guest, Michael Swiatek, is a longtime airline executive and strategist. He also identifies as a blind, low vision individual, and is pioneering new ways to make flying accessible and comfortable to all travelers. Mike joins Kavitha to explain how he went from despising the airline industry to embracing it as a vocation, and why he’s excited, at age 61, to boldly step into a dual role as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Accessibility Officer for Abra Group.
Listen to take part in discussions of Mike’s incredible international experiences, what he’s seen change in the 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted, and what makes him call this era “the golden age of not only accessibility, but life.”
Transcript
Episode 3—Michael Swiatek Transcript
Links and Resources
Information on ELI and Yale SOM Executive Education:
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- The ADA at 30: an EEOC message from July 2020
- The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlifeby Marc Freedman
- The Seven Ages of Man, a monologue from Shakespeare’s As You Like It
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
- Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations by Mary C. Murphy
- Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice by David S. Tatel
- Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines into Chaos by Thomas Petzinger, Jr.
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study on Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz
More Featuring Mike:
- Aerotime’s Executive Spotlight feature on Mike
- Forbes’ coverage of Mike’s accessibility efforts while at Avianca
- McKinsey’s feature of Mike on why he sees this as a golden age of accessibility
- An IATA Airlines interview with Mike
About Today’s Guest
Michael Swiatek, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Accessibility Officer, Abra Group
Michael Swiatek is on a mission to uplift the lives of the world’s largest minority—people with disabilities—especially those who are legally blind or have low vision, by enhancing their travel experiences. He is not only a senior executive with real-world success in the airline industry but is also legally blind himself. His unique life experiences have shaped his outlook and career journey.
With a distinguished aviation career, Michael Swiatek has excelled in senior executive roles at prominent global airlines. Currently serving as the Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Accessibility Officer at Abra Group, the parent company of Avianca and GOL Airlines, he shapes the strategic direction of these airlines, driving profitability and competitiveness in the Americas market.
Prior to his current role at Abra Group, Swiatek held the position of Chief Strategy & Planning Officer at Avianca, transforming the airline’s positioning through alliance formation, network expansion, and corporate planning. He also championed inclusivity as Co-chair of Culture Transformation, Accessibility, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, solidifying Avianca’s reputation as a socially responsible airline.
Previously, Michael has held senior roles at several global airlines, including Chief Planning Officer at IndiGo Airlines, the largest airline in India, Qatar Airways as Chief Planning Officer, and Air New Zealand where he served as Director of Strategic Planning.
Throughout his career, Michael Swiatek’s strategic acumen and leadership have left an indelible mark on the aviation industry, propelling organizations to new heights.