Martha Tilahun Paulos

Martha Tilahun Paulos is an Ethiopian aviation executive and corporate leader. She is the Vice President of Commercial Operations at Qatar Airways. She has worked for Qatar Airways since 2011 and has held senior roles at both Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

Early life and education

Martha Tilahun Paulos was born in Ethiopia. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Addis Ababa University and completed a Manager Mentor programme at the Harvard Business School.

Career

Martha Tilahun Paulos started her aviation career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1989, As a customer Relationship Analyst. She spent 22 years in various commercial and managerial roles. During her time at Ethiopian Airlines, she served in senior positions including:

Customer Relationship Analyst, Country Manager for Tanzania, Zanzibar, and the Comoros (based in Dar es Salaam), Country Manager for France, Algeria, and Morocco (based in Paris), Marketing Director, responsible for global advertising, sales promotions, and public relations.

In 2011, Paulos joined Qatar Airways. She held progressive leadership roles including Commercial Manager and Senior Manager in Commercial Operations before being appointed Vice President in charge of Commercial Operations in June 2017. In this role, she leads strategic growth initiatives and global market development for the airline. As Vice President Commercial, she has represented Qatar Airways at major industry events. She spoke about the launch of Qatar Airways’ inaugural direct flights to Gaborone, Botswana.

Recognition

Martha Paulos has been recognised among notable African women leaders shaping global industries. She was featured among the 100 African women shaping the airline industry in Africa and around the world by African Shapers, Showing her influence as an aviation executive.