Celebrating Women in Engineering Day, Bell is proud to celebrate the 262 female engineers working at its campuses worldwide. Cooperative University R&D Manager, Andrea Chavez, has been with Bell for 20 years and takes pride in representing women in the field.

Andrea believes it's crucial to inspire women and foster the belief that they belong in the engineering field. With a sister who was a former engineer and a mother who was a strong leader, she had the support system necessary to pursue a career in engineering.

She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Andrea credits the university and Bell for providing her with a solid foundation in mechanical systems, propulsion systems and research and development. What she loves most about working at Bell is the unique opportunity to advance as a manager while still being hands-on with aircraft.

Andrea's passion for the stars initially led her to aerospace engineering. "I've always had an interest in stars and the sky," Andrea remarked. "It gives me a sense of altruism and transcendence, feeling like I'm part of something bigger and greater than myself." What primarily led her to Bell was the realization that Bell helicopters were also part of a larger mission, saving lives daily.

Andrea's work recently caught the attention of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at the University of Texas after a mentor encouraged her to showcase her achievements. " It’s an honor," she admitted, "and it's important for students to see real role models they can relate to and envision themselves becoming in the future."

In her newest role at Bell, Andrea has had the chance to collaborate with professors and deans at several universities, advising on how to best prepare their students to be qualified candidates for potential positions at Bell. Her goal is to inspire and attract young talent to further enhance the workforce. Thank you, Andrea, for inspiring a new generation of women in engineering and for all your years at Bell.