Aviation
UNITED NAMES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
September 22, 2023

United Airlines has named Michael Leskinen as its new chief financial officer and executive vice president.

 

In the announcement, the airline said in his new role, Leskinen will oversee corporate finance, treasury, financial planning and analysis, tax, accounting, investor relations, procurement, internal audit, risk management and corporate strategy. 

 

He will also join the airline's Executive Team.

 

"With two decades of experience on Wall Street and five years as a leading finance executive at United, Mike brings a unique understanding of the public markets combined with an in-depth understanding of our airline and our industry," said United CEO Scott Kirby.

 

"He is the best person to help us drive a culture within our finance team that's focused on moving fast, hitting our targets with no excuses, and being disciplined about capital and cost decision-making that supports our United Next plan.”

 

Leskinen joined United in 2018 as managing director of Investor Relations and was promoted to vice president of Corporate Development and Investor Relations in 2019. 

 

In 2021, he added the title of president of United Airlines Ventures (UAV), an industry-first corporate venture capital fund that identifies and invests in opportunities to decarbonize air travel and enhance the customer travel experience. 

 

UAV has invested in carbon capture and utilization technologies, advanced biologic feedstocks including micro-algae, electric fixed-wing regional aircraft and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).

 

Earlier this year, United announced that prior CFO Gerry Laderman would remain in the role until his successor was appointed and then serve as EVP, Finance until his planned retirement in September 2024.