Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba: A Model for Young Female Aerospace Engineers and Entrepreneurs
( Naeem Ul Hassan)
Despite challenges, several women leaders in the aerospace sector have succeeded greatly and become role models for the upcoming generation of female professionals in the field. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba is one of these exemplars.
Wanjiku’s strong academic background has helped her achieve amazing career success. With distinction, she graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Space Operations. She is presently enrolled at the University of Florida to pursue a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and certifications in Engineering Leadership, Engineering Innovation, and Engineering Project Management.
Her areas of expertise include Engineering Project Management, Flight Operations (Aviation and Space), Independent Research (Aviation and Space), Airworthiness and Certification Engineering, and Entrepreneurship.
Wanjiku is the CEO and chairwoman of the renowned firm Vicillion, which she co-founded in 2021. Vicillion is a forward-thinking globally renowned company dedicated to revolutionizing the aerospace and technology sectors. One of the organization’s groundbreaking projects is the construction of Omega Spaceport, the first equatorial commercial spaceport in history.
The success of any organization depends on its leadership. Wanjiku is a wonderful example of this. Vicillion is expanding rapidly under her astute leadership.
Self-employed women are more economically empowered, have more autonomy and control over their lives, and have greater influence in their communities. Empowered women empowered other women. Wanjiku’s amazing entrepreneurial success at a young age may inspire the next generation of women to pursue entrepreneurship.
Apart from being an entrepreneur, Wanjiku is involved with several organizations, such as the European Space Agency, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Women Engineers, the Deep Space Initiative, and Project PoSSUM. She is also a member of the Space Generation Advisory Council, Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), and Sigma Gamma Tau (Aerospace Engineering Honor Society). Previously, she worked with Switched Source, SPARC (K), Birds Eye Aerial Drones, Southwest Airlines, and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Early life ambitions that are driven by our own curiosity act as the catalyst for our entire lives. Wanjiku’s story exemplifies this brilliantly. From an early age, she had a strong interest in space and entrepreneurship. The remarkable career achievement of her late father and the studies of her older brother at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States further fueled her ambition.
In pursuit of her ambition, she accomplished remarkable academic and career achievements, including earning a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering with distinction from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, becoming the first Kenyan-born graduate of Advanced PoSSUM Academy, and starting an early entrepreneurial career and succeeding in it.
Success comes to those who embrace challenges. Wanjiku is a wonderful example of this. In the historically male-dominated aerospace industry, she put forth a lot of effort and conquered many challenges to become the lady she is today. Young women may learn from her success story that by working hard and persevering, they can achieve any goal.
Wanjiku has received several awards, including Global Infrastructure Firm of the Year (2023), Best Collaborative Aerospace Infrastructure R&D Partner (2023), Most Collaborative Aerospace R&D Partner (2023)—USA, Graduate Student of the Year 2020-2021 Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Professional Development Award, and 2020-2021 Resident Advisor of the Year Award. Her recent recognition as one of 2024’s Top 40 Under 40 women leaders in Kenya is unquestionably a distinguished accomplishment.
Wanjiku’s goal to contribute significantly to research and development in transformative, innovative products and concepts within the aerospace, mechanical, and civil industries to enhance human ingenuity in a positive way and to solve critical global challenges is truly wonderful.
For women, aerospace is a rewarding career path that provides limitless technical and managerial/executive opportunities. Serena Williams once said, “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another.” Wanjiku’s amazing career success may inspire the next generation of women to pursue a career in aerospace.
