Syracuse Sun

Cindy Boyd, a graduate from West Point in 1992, shares her journey of overcoming obstacles and achieving success in the male-dominated field of military aviation and engineering. Boyd's story is one of determination, resilience, and breaking barriers in her pursuit of aeronautical excellence.

Boyd's initial interest in becoming a military aviator stemmed from a desire to be at the forefront of engineering. Despite initial skepticism about her chances of entering West Point due to her gender, Boyd persevered. She recalls, "Even though I was a straight-A student coming out of high school, a member of the National Honor Society, and all of that stuff, I was told it was highly unlikely that I was going to get into West Point."

Upon graduation, Boyd became a U.S. Army second lieutenant and underwent rigorous training to become a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot. Despite facing challenges as a woman in the military aviation field, Boyd's determination led her to command a combat aviation unit, a rare achievement for women at the time. Reflecting on her experience, Boyd notes, "In the early ’90s, there weren’t many women in officer roles, even fewer who were in charge, so you get a lot of visibility. You’re going to have your naysayers."

Transitioning to civilian life, Boyd continued to defy expectations by becoming one of the first women test pilots at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Her background in engineering and military aviation paved the way for this groundbreaking role. Boyd shares, "Back in the day, there was a woman who helped Igor Sikorsky; she’s really considered to be their first woman test pilot. But it had been 80 years since they had another one, and so they hired me."

Driven by a curiosity for business, Boyd pursued a Master's in Business Administration at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. This decision marked a shift towards program management roles in the defense industry, where she continues to excel. Boyd emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship and networking, stating, "That was a real gap in my life experience back then, and I value it now more than ever."

Today, Cindy Boyd serves as a senior manager in program management at Lockheed Martin, focusing on U.S. Navy airborne radar programs. Her journey from military aviator to successful civilian leader stands as a testament to perseverance, grit, and the power of breaking through barriers in male-dominated fields.