Catherine Macgowan

Catherine brings more than 23 years of experience to her role as Asia Pacific Region Director at Wisk. She is responsible for leading a multinational team focused on bringing Wisk’s first self-flying eVTOL air taxi to market. Prior to joining Wisk, Catherine was a Group Captain in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and has held several leadership positions across the New Zealand Defence Force. Catherine has led strategic change programs, including the transformation of Air Force Intelligence, and the integration of new aircraft fleets, and was the Commanding Officer of a 160 staff squadron delivering intelligence and communication services. Catherine also served at the Ministry of Primary Industries, where she grew the intelligence capability to strengthen the protection of the country’s biosecurity, fisheries and trade functions. She has also served as the Military Secretary to the New Zealand Minister of Defence. Earlier in her career, Catherine served as a P-3K Orion Navigator for numerous regional and international deployments. She has also held a range of planning, operational and strategic roles. Catherine has a Master in International Security (with distinction) from Massey University. She is an alumna of the Global Women Breakthrough Leaders Programme and was dux of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Advanced Command & Staff Course (2013).