Business aviation is built on professionalism, preparation, and trust. Few roles capture that combination more clearly than the corporate flight attendant, a position that requires far more than many outside the industry may realize.
On Aviation Champions with Miranda Gahn, Kelly Carrillo brings a powerful perspective from multiple sides of the aviation community. As a corporate flight attendant through Yourgotofa, an aviation media producer with Kilo Charlie Media, Vice President of the Northern California Business Aviation Association, and founder of FA CLUB, Carrillo represents a growing movement toward stronger visibility, leadership, and connection for corporate flight attendants in business aviation.
Expanding the Conversation Around Corporate Flight Attendants
One of the biggest challenges Carrillo identifies in the aviation industry is educating people about the true scope of the corporate flight attendant role. The outdated perception of flight attendants as simply “servers in the sky” does not reflect the reality of the work.
Corporate flight attendants are multifaceted professionals. They must be resourceful, intelligent, operationally aware, and prepared to respond in high-pressure situations. Their responsibilities can include managing complex cabin operations, supporting passenger safety, and being ready to act when lives may depend on quick thinking and trained execution.
For business aviation leaders, operators, and aspiring aviation professionals, this is an important reminder: every role in aviation contributes to the safety, quality, and success of the mission.
Kelly Carrillo’s Work Across Business Aviation
Carrillo’s professional work spans several organizations and platforms, each serving a distinct purpose in the business aviation ecosystem.
Yourgotofa
Yourgotofa is Carrillo’s personal branding for her work as a corporate flight attendant. Through this identity, she highlights the professionalism, capability, and value that corporate flight attendants bring to private and business aviation operations.
Kilo Charlie Media
Kilo Charlie Media is Carrillo’s business aviation media production company. Through Kilo Charlie Media, she covers a variety of business aviation events, topics, and thought leaders, helping share stories and insights from across the industry.
Northern California Business Aviation Association
The Northern California Business Aviation Association connects the Northern California business aviation community through events, resources, and opportunities for growth and connection. Carrillo currently serves as Vice President of NCBAA and has been voted in as President Elect, with plans to serve as President in 2027.
Carrillo has described this as one of her greatest accomplishments. To her knowledge, she will be the first corporate flight attendant to hold this position in a business aviation regional group, marking a meaningful advancement for the corporate flight attendant community and for women in aviation.
FA CLUB
FA CLUB is a West Coast business aviation flight attendant community founded by Carrillo in December 2025 and operated under the NCBAA umbrella. It was created to offer resources, connection, and opportunities for the West Coast corporate flight attendant community and beyond.
Why Leadership Matters in the Flight Attendant Community
Carrillo sees the corporate flight attendant community moving into more leadership and management roles in the coming years. That includes leadership within corporate flight departments as well as participation in local and regional aviation associations.
This shift matters because leadership expands influence. When corporate flight attendants have a seat at the table, they can help shape conversations around safety, training, professional development, operational standards, and community support.
For those entering or growing within the field, this creates a practical takeaway: technical skill is essential, but long-term impact also comes from communication, service, leadership, and involvement in the broader aviation community.
Lessons for Aviation Professionals and Industry Leaders
Carrillo’s work offers several valuable lessons for anyone in business aviation, especially those focused on team development, professional visibility, and community building.
Recognize the Full Value of Specialized Roles
Aviation depends on many specialized professionals working together. Understanding the depth of each role helps build respect, better communication, and stronger operations.
Create Space for Community and Connection
Through organizations like NCBAA and FA CLUB, Carrillo’s work highlights the importance of building communities where aviation professionals can access resources, form relationships, and grow together.
Use Media to Elevate Industry Voices
Kilo Charlie Media reflects the growing value of aviation storytelling. By covering events, topics, and thought leaders, media can help connect people, spotlight important issues, and broaden awareness across the business aviation community.
Step Into Leadership Before You Feel “Fully Ready”
Leadership growth often begins with involvement. Serving in associations, contributing to community efforts, and helping others access resources can create meaningful pathways to greater responsibility and influence.
Industry Voices Shaping the Future
Carrillo also points to several professionals she views as trendsetters in the corporate flight attendant and business aviation community. She looks to Lesley Revuelto for extensive work in the corporate flight attendant community, including leadership with WCA and the NBAA Flight Attendants Committee; Scott Arnold for his safety work and generous sharing of resources; Lauren Baum of Cabinsinthesky for insights and leadership through social media and coaching; and Holly Schroeder of MAVEN for curated retreats and mental health resources.
These examples reinforce a larger theme: the future of business aviation will be shaped by people who share knowledge, support others, and create opportunities for collective growth.
Aviation Champions with Miranda Gahn Highlights Meaningful Industry Leadership
Aviation Champions with Miranda Gahn provides a platform for conversations with aviation professionals who are making an impact in their fields. Carrillo’s story is especially timely because it reflects a broader evolution in business aviation: corporate flight attendants are not only serving passengers and supporting operations, they are leading, producing media, building communities, and helping shape the future of the industry.
Her work across Yourgotofa, Kilo Charlie Media, the Northern California Business Aviation Association, and FA CLUB shows how one professional can influence aviation through service, storytelling, advocacy, and leadership.
Conclusion
Kelly Carrillo’s career reflects the growing recognition of corporate flight attendants as highly skilled aviation professionals and emerging industry leaders. Her focus on education, connection, media, and community building offers a practical model for professionals who want to make a meaningful impact in business aviation.
As the corporate flight attendant community continues to move into leadership and management roles, voices like Carrillo’s are helping expand what is possible for the profession and for women in aviation.
Learn more about Aviation Champions with Miranda Gahn and explore more conversations with industry leaders at Industry Champs.
