Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Atlas) has announced that Emma Woodthorpe will join the company as chief people officer, effective April 27. She will report to chief executive officer Michael Steen and serve on the company’s Executive Leadership Team.

Woodthorpe will lead the company’s global talent and culture agenda – strengthening leadership, aligning talent with business priorities, and advancing the operating model to support Atlas’ continued growth and evolution. 

She will oversee talent acquisition, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, total rewards, employee engagement and relations, HR operations, and people technology.

“At Atlas, our people are at the center of everything we do,” Steen said. “Emma has demonstrated success in strengthening leadership capability, increasing employee engagement, embedding clear values and behaviors, and creating more connected and accountable organizations – capabilities that directly support our ambition to live a thriving culture at Atlas.”

Woodthorpe welcomed her appointment, noting the company’s strong momentum and the foundation already in place to support its global workforce and position the business for long‑term success.

“People and culture are critical enablers of Atlas’ continued growth, and I look forward to working with the team to advance the Company’s people agenda,” she said.

Prior to joining Atlas, Woodthorpe served as chief people officer at Brooks Automation. Earlier in her career, she held the senior vice president and chief human resources officer role at Mercury Systems. 

Atlas Air Worldwide operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and Airbus A350F (coming in 2029) freighters.