Maintenance manager Denise Buklis on finding the right fit in aviationRunway Girl

Licensed engineer Denise Buklis has extensive experience in aviation, having served in recent years as senior aircraft maintenance manager for a business aviation operator, along with other leadership roles across the industry. Unlike many who pursue a conventional path into aviation, Buklis’ career began on a distinctive trajectory.

“I was first inspired by local air shows as a child, and my father often brought me to the airport while picking up parcels for his work. Although I had no family background in aerospace, these early experiences sparked my curiosity,” she tells Runway Girl Network.

Studying languages at university, Buklis realized it wasn’t the future she wanted. “I eventually chose to leave university,” she says, “to explore new directions and begin working toward my private pilot’s license. While financial constraints prevented me from completing the license, that initial experience ignited a lasting passion for aviation.”

In her words, “Once you enter aviation, you just cannot exit.”

Looking for another path in aviation, Buklis discovered the Aircraft Maintenance Technology program at her local college. “Given my interest in non-traditional, hands-on work as a volunteer firefighter, I knew this path would challenge me while allowing me to pursue my passion for aviation.”

Despite being one of the five girls in a class of 90, she became a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer in 2000 in Canada, after gaining experience at several commercial airlines. It was “a proud moment indeed,” she confides.

To achieve work-life balance, and in what Buklis describes as “another branch of the amazing tree of opportunities,” she transitioned to business aviation, focusing on management and technical support roles.

Denise Buklis taking a selfie in front of a bizjet. Still, Buklis often works across multiple time zones and puts in late hours, and it takes intentionality to prioritize quality family time with her two young children.

“Finding balance in aviation is always a challenge,” she notes. “Balance in aviation isn’t about eliminating the workload. It’s about managing it in a sustainable way.”

That work paid off, and in 2018 she became a Technical Support Advisory Board Member at Bombardier, a role she retained for seven years.

Describing her leadership style, Buklis calls it “collaborative, supportive, and directional under pressure. I believe in open communication, setting clear expectations ensuring the team feels valued.”

A defining moment early in her career greatly influenced her approach. “When I worked as a line mechanic and was often the only woman on the team, I watched senior leads take on the ‘dirty work’ alongside junior staff. That simple act of humility earned them tremendous respect.”

She learned that good leaders don’t just direct from above, they work alongside their team, show empathy and set the standard through their actions.

Her trajectory has not been without challenges. “There is a constant need to prove myself and find the confidence to speak up in male-dominated environments,” she says. “It requires resilience and sometimes thicker skin, but I also see it as an opportunity to create visibility and open doors for others.”

Committed to empowering young girls and women in aviation, she acts as a mentor and participates in Women in Aerospace Canada forums, for which she served as a board member in 2022.

Looking ahead, Buklis sees AI playing an even greater role in maintenance planning, which will allow managers to optimize schedules and provide operators with more accurate forecasts. “This evolution will transform how we approach both safety, efficiency time management.”

She also emphasizes the need to keep up with frequent regulatory and technological change. “No one can rely solely on memory. To stay ahead, continuous learning and collaborative teamwork where individuals bring different strengths to the table are the best environment.”

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