An experienced and innovative problem solver with a passion for continuous improvement and a strong commitment to success, Matt Higa is skilled in both business and technology, with a degree in Computer Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of the Pacific. Garnering over seven years of experience in various industries, he has a proven track record of delivering $8-plus million in sales.
With a mission to accelerate the world’s transition to the New Space Economy and an objective to send the first women-led crew to Mars, I have a unique drive to make a positive impact on the world.
I excel in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment, where I have successfully implemented scaled agile frameworks and led sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives, and daily scrums to increase efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks. My expertise also extends to data science and artificial intelligence, and I have a passion for using machine learning to solve real-world business problems.
As a Spartan Trifecta finisher and ultra-runner in training, I have faced and overcome various physical challenges that have pushed me to my limits. This has given me a strong sense of determination and the drive to succeed in all endeavors, both professionally and personally.
My approach is to always play to win and to constantly strive for growth and success. I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to build and conquer.
[The following text was written in the third person – for continuity of Matt telling his own story, I have changed the pronouns to first person.]
I recently initiated a LinkedIn project with the objective of identifying active LinkedIn members who consistently share high-quality content pertaining to the aerospace and aviation industries. The project involved curating a list of such individuals and highlighting their contributions to these fields. The first article in this series, “Top 62 Women in Aerospace and Aviation to Follow on LinkedIn,” was published in May 2021. The aim of this article was to showcase the achievements of women in these industries and create a platform for them to connect and inspire others.
The article was well-received, so I went on to write “Top Men in Aerospace and Aviation to Follow on LinkedIn” [October 2021], culminating with “Top 100 Aerospace and Aviation Professionals to Follow on LinkedIn 2021” [January 2022].
I have continued to publish these lists, with a renewed focus on diversity and inclusion. Based on nominations and a rigorous screening process, 2022 saw the publication of “Top 100 Women in Aerospace and Aviation Professionals to Follow on LinkedIn 2022,” succeeded by the “Top 100 Men in Aerospace and Aviation to Follow on LinkedIn 2022” and the “Top 100 Aerospace and Aviation Professionals to Follow on LinkedIn 2022″[ January 2023]. The six articles in this series have garnered a total of 1248 reactions, 464 comments, and 262 shares.
Coming from a place of help.
The project was initiated to promote the posts of professionals who “talk about” aerospace and aviation industry on LinkedIn.For a month I searched for posts and people who discuss #aerospace and #aviation on LinkedIn. I soon realized that stories of first-hand experiences, personal stories and industry trends from LinkedIn members with less than 5k followers, get fewer views. My aim is to change all that by recognizing their unsung efforts and feature them in the TOP 100 lists.
Through feedback from the community, I have realized the importance of diversity and inclusion, making these a key focus of the project. I have invested significant time and effort into screening profiles of nominated LinkedIn members, selecting those who have a strong engagement with the community, share relevant and informative content, and are actively contributing to the growth of the industry.
As my support efforts have evolved, my goal has shifted from simply spotlighting individuals, to also providing a platform for sharing tips and best practices for thriving on LinkedIn. This now includes a weekly feature “Top Tips on How to Thrive on LinkedIn” as well as “How TOP 100 Use LinkedIn to Thrive,” a series of articles which showcase the various ways in which LinkedIn has helped these professionals in their careers and businesses. The ultimate objective of this project is to encourage and inspire fellow LinkedIn members to leverage the platform as a powerful tool for career and business growth.
How LinkedIn has helped me to thrive.
LinkedIn has been instrumental in helping me connect with other professionals and expand my network. Through LinkedIn, I received an invitation to join the California State University Chico Digital Marketing Advisory Council in January 2022, offering my area of expertise in systems engineering, UX research and design, web and graphic design, SEO, PPC, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, project management, branding, storytelling, community building and management.
Similarly, working with Fiona McKay in the Leading Ladies Of…Aerospace Summit also has provided valuable networking and learning opportunities. https://mckayunlimited.com/managing-mindset-to-drive-change/
Finally, being invited to Mark Schulz’s #DigitalAircraft live broadcast is a great opportunity for me to share my insights and expertise with a wider audience. There I have talked about my perspective on digital marketing in the aerospace industry.
What the community says about the TOP 100 list:
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone highlight the many amazing women in this industry — I’m humbled to be part of this special group and this just made me so proud of what we are achieving individually and together —well done ladies!” ~ Jennifer Snow
“Thanks Matt Higa for this fun and amazing project. Thank you for giving me the voice for pioneers, inventors, disruptors — enthusiastic and passionate — for all the ‘little princes’ of Antoine De Saint Exupéry around the world:
“As for future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.”
#Aviation #Aerospace #NewSpace #SpaceExploration
“Children’s dreams, fly to come true, #revesdenfant always amaze yourself to believe …
Now, for Future and Next Generation
NewArea Newspace NewFrontier” ~ Stephanie Soquet
“Thank you once again for the huge work and effort you’ve put into this. And I feel profoundly honored to be listed amongst some of the most inspiring #Space Power-Women I deeply admire, and I look up to! 🚀🛰️🙏🏽” ~ Bianca Cefalo
“Matt Higa, thank you for the recognition. This is an amazing article — with inspiring leaders and role models. Hopefully you have created access and opportunity into the great aerospace and space ecosystem. I am honored to be included in this list of amazing women!”~ Shelli Brunswick
