In this episode, hosts DeWayne Allen and Rob Wesley launch the new Power and Propulsion series with aerospace transformation leader Lillian Dukes. Drawing from decades of experience across aviation operations, supply chain, restructuring, and executive leadership, Lillian shares what it really takes to stabilize broken organizations, rebuild credibility, and lead transformation that actually sticks. The conversation covers regulatory pressure, leadership under stress, supply chain realities, the shift from engineer to executive, and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and measurable impact for the next generation of aerospace leaders.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 - Introduction to the Power and Propulsion Series

01:22 - Mission of the Series and Introduction of Lillian Dukes

04:15 - Walking Into a Broken Organization

06:31 - What to Ignore in the First 30 Days

10:13 - System Problems vs. Leadership Problems

15:50 - What Real Transformation Looks Like

19:40 - Why Executives Lose Touch With Operational Reality

21:29 - The Structural Challenge in Aerospace Supply Chains

25:21 - From Engineer to Executive

30:04 - Training, Development, and Scaling Leadership

32:24 - AI, Analytics, and Change Readiness

33:38 - Representation, Legacy, and Leadership Responsibility

36:18 - Advice for Black Engineers and Emerging Leaders

38:24 - Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Breaking Through

39:59 - The Leadership Impact That Outlasts a Career

41:51 - Lillian Dukes on Her Work Today and What Comes Next

Resources:

LAD Consulting LLC

Connect with Lillian Dukes on LinkedIn

Connect with us:

DeWayne Allen on LinkedIn

Robert Wesley on LinkedIn

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The StoryTeller by DeWayne Allen

Autonomous Platforms of the Future by Robert Wesley

Produced by NOVA