The WestJet group of companies offers scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships.

Aviation & Aerospace

WestJet

Kirsten joined WestJet in April 2022 as Executive Vice-President Cargo.

Under de Bruijn’s leadership, she will be instrumental in building the airline’s dedicated cargo capabilities and service offerings, while growing a high-performing cargo organization capable of succeeding within a rapidly evolving market.

With her large portfolio of air cargo experience and more than 15 years in the airline industry, de Bruijn joins WestJet Cargo most recently from Qatar Airways, where she served as Senior Vice President Cargo Sales and Network Planning. During her time at Qatar Airways, de Bruijn managed the airline’s global cargo sales organization including product development and marketing and was responsible for the freighter network planning department. Prior to her tenure at Qatar Airways, de Bruijn served as Vice President, Cargo Pricing and Interline at Emirates Sky Cargo.  

Kirsten De Bruijn

Bob was welcomed back to Swoop, WestJet’s ultra-low-cost carrier, as President on April 18, 2022. 

Prior to returning to the WestJet Group, Bob spent two years at the helm of Central Mountain Air as Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he led through pandemic turbulence and positioned the regional airline for success in recovery, while building the airline’s culture. Prior to Central Mountain Air, Bob spent 13 years with WestJet, spanning several notable Executive Vice-President positions, including President of Swoop in 2018, where he was responsible for the start-up and launch of Canada’s first successful ultra-low-cost airline. 

During his tenure with WestJet, Bob led the growth of WestJet Vacations, WestJet Rewards, and was integral in the launch of WestJet Encore, WestJet’s regional airline. As WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer, Bob grew the airline’s revenue from just over one billion to more than $4.5 billion. Prior to joining WestJet, Bob spent more than 13 years in leadership positions in the utility and telecom markets.

Bob Cummings

Angela Avery joined [WestJet](/org/westjet) February 2020 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. With more than 25 years’ legal and business experience, and an extensive regulatory and compliance background, Angela joined [WestJet](/org/westjet) from Athabasca Oil Corporation where she was General Counsel and Vice-President, Business Development and was responsible for legal, business development, human resources as well as marketing and transportation. Previously, she had various technical and leadership roles at [ConocoPhillips](/org/conocophillips) and [TC Energy](/org/tcenergy).

Angela’s international experience includes an appointment to the United Nations Compensation Commission where she worked in Geneva, Switzerland to prepare and present war reparations claims to an international court.

Having served on several boards including the Canadian Energy Law Foundation, the Calgary YMCA, Arts Commons and the [Calgary Zoo](/org/calgary-zoo), Angela is an active member of her community.

Angela Avery

Alexis von Hoensbroech is the current CEO of [WestJet](/org/westjet). Alexis was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Austrian Airlines from August 2018 to December 2021. Prior to that, they were the Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Cargo AG from December 2014 to July 2018. Before that, they were the Vice President Commercial Frankfurt for Deutsche Lufthansa AG from October 2005 to November 2014. Alexis began their career as a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group in October 1999 and then became a Scientific Assistant at the Max Planck Society in June 1996.

Alexis von Hoensbroech completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics (Astrophysics) at the Max Planck Society. Prior to that, they completed a Diploma in Physics at The University of Bonn.

Some individuals on their team include Charles Duncan - EVP & President, Swoop, John Weatherill - EVP, Chief Commercial Officer, and Angela Avery - EVP, External Affairs & Chief Legal Officer.

Alexis von Hoensbroech

Reporting to the President and CEO, John leads [WestJet](/org/westjet)’s Commercial team with responsibility for network planning, alliances, revenue management, sales, loyalty, digital, marketing, and [WestJet](/org/westjet) Vacations.

John has more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry, and joined [WestJet](/org/westjet) in 2013 as Director, Network and Schedule Planning. He subsequently held the roles of VP Revenue and Pricing, and VP Network and Revenue.

Together, his teams are responsible for the optimization of [WestJet](/org/westjet)’s revenue streams and the development of long-term guest engagement and loyalty. This includes managing profitable global growth through the strategic deployment of the airline’s fleet of more than 180 aircraft including [WestJet](/org/westjet)’s new 787 Dreamliners, delivering $5 billion in annual guest revenue, pre-pandemic.

Prior to joining [WestJet](/org/westjet), John was Executive Vice-President, Route Development at InterVISTAS Consulting. During his time there he held responsibility for management of the firm’s air service development practice, leading strategic projects for airport, government and tourism clients in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America.

John holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the [University of British Columbia](/org/university-of-british-columbia) in Vancouver, Canada.

John Weatherill

Harry joined [WestJet](/org/westjet) as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in October 2015. He led the airline’s inaugural U.S. bond issue, negotiated the purchase of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and was instrumental in the sale of [WestJet](/org/westjet) to ONEX. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, Harry led the Finance team in managing [WestJet](/org/westjet)’s liquidity to position the airline for recovery. As CFO, Harry was responsible for accounting, financial reporting, financial planning & analysis, investor relations, internal audit, procurement, supply chain, treasury and tax. 

Before joining [WestJet](/org/westjet), Harry spent more than 20 years in retail and consumer packaged goods. He held senior finance and operating leadership roles with [Canadian Tire Corporation](/org/canadian-tire-corporation), [Holt Renfrew](/org/holt-renfrew), Home Depot, and Frito-Lay in both Canada and the United States. Harry began his career in professional services, serving clients for [McKinsey & Company](/org/mckinsey-company) for five years and Ernst & Young for three years.

A native of Winnipeg, Harry considers Toronto to be his hometown, even though he has lived in Dallas, Atlanta and Calgary for considerable periods of time. Harry earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from [Trinity College](/org/trinity-college), University of Toronto in 1983, a Chartered Accountant designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario in 1988.

Harry Taylor

Frank Satusky

Karl joined Westjet in January 2022 as EVP and Chief Loyalty Officer.

Prior to joining Westjet, Karl spent five years as CEO of Virgin Australia Group and Affinity Private Equity’s Velocity Frequent Flyer Programme. Under his leadership the business grew significantly before being purchased for profit in late 2019.

Karl has also served as the Managing Director of Carlson Marketing Group Australia and New Zealand based in Sydney between 2001 and 2006. In 2006, he was promoted to President of the Asia Pacific region. Following the acquisition of Carlson Marketing by Canada’s Aimia (Aeroplan) in late 2009, Karl re-located to Singapore to oversee the development of Aimia's business in Asia. During his tenure, Aimia grew to eight offices in seven countries with over 500 people serving some of the region’s largest clients. He oversaw the implementation of some of the largest and most successful loyalty programs across the airline, financial services and retail sectors as well as leading multiple Aimia investment initiatives in the region.

Prior to moving to Australia, Karl spent ten years with the Ogilvy Group, initially in London and latterly heading up the OgilvyOne business in Cape Town, South Africa.

He has worked on five continents in leadership roles and obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from University College Dublin in 1984.

Karl Schuster

Diederik joined WestJet in October of 2021 as Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to the President and CEO, Diederik is responsible for daily operations of the airline and oversees many teams including Flight Operations, Inflight, Airports, Technical Operations, General Operations and WestJet Encore.

Diederik has more than 25 years of aviation-industry experience in the Asia-Pacific and European regions and joins WestJet most recently from Wizz Air, a fast-growing, ultra-low-cost business, where he held the position of Executive Vice-President and Group Chief Operations Officer. Diederik was responsible for the company’s significant expansion into the U.K., Central and Western Europe and its startup in the Middle East. Previously, Diederik held leadership roles at Martinair Holland and Virgin Blue Airlines in Australia.

A native of the Netherlands, Diederik holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Economics from the University of Amsterdam.

WestJet

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Teams

CEO and Executive Team

Leadership Team

Board of Directors

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