International Women’s Day: Bell’s Talented Women

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Bell is home to talented, passionate and dedicated women. Three of those women recently shared a bit about their journeys to become who they are today.

One thing they each had in common? Individuals and communities that lifted them up through the good and the bad.

Meet Alyssa, Cazandra and Anne Sophie.

Alyssa Kim, Software Engineer

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Alyssa Kim is a software engineer at Bell’s Manufacturing Technology Center. She works on the automation of future manufacturing processes and factory flows for process control systems, calling her team history-makers.

After completing her degree in Computer Science, Alyssa married and made one of the best decisions of her life to stay home and raise her children. Along with being a full-time stay-at-home mom, she kept up with industry changes in technology and worked as an entrepreneur to develop a point of sales system (POS) for retail markets.

Alyssa then began her role at Bell, and the rest is history. “I have a mentor who provided enduring support and encouragement, which led me to where I am today. Without my mentor’s guidance, I probably wouldn’t have dared to start working as a software developer.” said Alyssa.

Inspired by Winston Churchill, Alyssa encourages women and young girls interested in pursuing similar career paths to “Never give in!”

Cazandra Farrar, Senior Military Pursuits Business Operations Specialist

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Cazandra Farrar wears various hats as a senior pursuits business operations specialist in the Military Sales and Strategy organization at Bell’s headquarters. She enjoys being involved in different aspects of the business, including annual operations planning, process optimization, customer relationship management and sales enablement.

Multiple mentors and leaders have been instrumental in her journey. One mentor helped her realize her potential and encouraged her to venture into sales 13 years ago. Her current supervisor is a true champion for women in business. He provides a safe yet challenging environment that enables her to thrive.

In late 2022, Cazandra started Legacy, a new employee resource group for employees established within their careers. Legacy has been well received, widely accepted and celebrated. She’s also passionate about mentoring young women and thrilled that Bell provides the right resources to achieve a successful mentee/mentor relationship.

Cazandra’s advice for women and young girls interested in pursuing a similar career is, “Whatever you do, add value. Become an asset and be flexible. Be prepared to wear multiple hats and know that no two days are ever the same.”

Anne Sophie Chomette, Senior Industrial Engineer

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Anne Sophie Chomette works as a senior industrial engineer at Bell’s manufacturing plant in Mirabel, Canada. In this role, she makes facility adjustments on the production floor to help create efficiencies. She also utilizes a great deal of interpersonal skills to design spaces that meet the needs of employees and the company’s objectives. Opportunities to collaborate with others is one of her favorite parts of the job.

She completed degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering in France and began her career as a consultant. As a female young professional in a male-dominated field, Anne Sophie lacked self-confidence but still managed to make her mark. She then decided to make a big life change and move to Canada. Three years and one child later, she arrived in Québec. There, she passed her engineering exam while pregnant with her second child.

With a growing family and passion to spare, Anne Sophie knew she wanted to work for a company that clearly cared about its employees. Drawn to Bell and its culture, it was the only company she applied to. Years later, it was still the right decision.

“You'd think that in 2024, the situation of women in a typically male-dominated industry would have evolved. It has, but there's still work to be done.” said Anne Sophie. “That's why it's important not to give up! You must surround yourself with the right people who will give you confidence and increase your credibility.”

About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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