Textron Aviation celebrates the appointment of Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources and Communications, as Executive-in-Residence at Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business

Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications, has been selected as the J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence for the Spring 2025 term at Wichita State University's W. Frank Barton School of Business. This role highlights Maggie's exceptional leadership and Textron Aviation’s dedication to inspiring the journey of flight and preparing the next generation for future careers in aviation. 

“It’s an honor to contribute to the education of our future workforce through my alma mater,” said Topping. “We take great pride in our teams; the work they bring to life and the communities we call home. I look forward to sharing this and our innovative approaches with students, faculty and community members, showcasing how we empower our collective talent to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers”.

Maggie’s appointment as Executive-in-Residence is a testament to her impact on Textron Aviation and the broader aerospace industry. Her forward-thinking approach to managing the global workforce has been central to Textron Aviation’s success.

During her residency at the Barton School of Business, Maggie will engage with students and faculty through mentoring sessions, collaborative discussions focused on program and curriculum innovations and provide a public keynote in partnership with Luke Paney, chief information officer, Textron Aviation, titled: Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work. The keynote will take place at 9:30 a.m. on October 7, 2025, in Boettger Auditorium, Woolsey Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Register to attend here.

Maggie's deep ties to Wichita and her commitment to her alma mater reinforce her impact as Executive-in-Residence. Her extensive leadership experience, combined with her roles on several boards such as WSU Tech, the WSU Foundation & Alumni Engagement, the WSU National Advisory Council and the WSU Barton School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board, significantly enhances educational and community initiatives. 

For more details on Maggie Topping’s keynote and her activities as Executive-in-Residence, please visit the Barton School of Business website.