Location: Woolsey Hall, Boettger Auditorium

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is thrilled to announce Maggie Topping as its Fall 2025 Executive-in-Residence. Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation, will bring her extensive expertise to enrich the school’s academic and professional environment.

As Executive-in-Residence, Topping will participate in mentoring sessions, deliver guest lectures, and collaborate with Barton School leadership on program and curriculum innovations. She will also lead a keynote fireside chat titled "Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work" alongside Luke Pankey, Chief Information Officer at Textron Aviation. 

RSVP at wichita.edu/executive-in-residence-keynote. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 9 a.m.

About the Executive-in-Residence

At Textron Aviation, Topping oversees human resources (HR), security, and corporate communications worldwide. Her responsibilities include global HR management, total rewards, organizational effectiveness, labor and employee relations, talent acquisition and development, employee safety, asset protection, media relations, employee communications, public affairs, and charitable giving and engagement. She has played a pivotal role in guiding Textron Aviation through major acquisitions, including the 2014 merger of Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation and the 2015 acquisition of Able Engineering.

Since joining Cessna Aircraft Company in 2001, Topping has advanced through roles including HR generalist and HR business leader, overseeing global HR operations and talent programs. Prior to Cessna, she worked at Honeywell Aerospace as an HR generalist and logistics manager.

Topping holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Wichita State University, is a certified Textron Six Sigma Green Belt, and a graduate of the Textron Senior Executive Leadership Program. She actively serves on several boards, including Barton School’s Dean’s Advisory Board, WSU Tech, WSU Foundation & Alumni Engagement and WSU National Advisory Council.

For more information about the Barton School, visit wichita.edu/business.