WAI On Air Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Meet Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Rebekah Seifer, who grew up on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where living close to the water inspired her commitment to humanitarian service. She received her commission from the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in 2012, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Environmental Sciences with honors. Since then, she has logged over 3,000 flight hours in aircraft including the Gulfstream V (C-37A), Gulfstream 550 (C-37B), and CN-235 (HC-144A), with experience spanning search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, natural disaster response, and executive transport.

Among her many accomplishments, Rebekah attributes her growth and resilience to the strength of her “village” — trusted voices who have helped her navigate challenges while remaining rooted in authenticity and purpose. Tune in to learn why she embraces continuous learning and collaboration, driven by a passion to lead and inspire interprofessional teams to improve communities both locally and globally.

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications

Each episode will take you behind the scenes of the aviation/aerospace world to meet the remarkable women shaping its future.

From pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers, aerospace executives, and innovators, On Air celebrates the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women (and men) across every corner of the aviation industry— all aimed at empowering the next generation and honoring the pioneers who paved the way.

Mary Miller, a longtime executive at Signature Flight Support, retires after a remarkable 40-year career advocating for business and general aviation. She began her aviation journey in 1981 at Butler Aviation as a Customer Service Manager at Washington National Airport. Rising through the ranks, she became Director of Customer Service in 1987, then Director of Sales and Customer Relations. When Butler merged with Page Avjet to form Signature Flight Support, Mary was promoted to Vice President of Customer Relations. In 2010, she became Vice President of Industry and Government Affairs for both Signature and its parent company, BBA Aviation.

Mary played a critical role in the development of the TSA’s DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP), helping to reopen Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) to general aviation following the September 11 attacks. She developed and promoted a streamlined application process, allowing operators to better navigate the DASSP and helping the airport reach near its authorized daily general aviation limit.

Throughout her career, Mary has been a tireless advocate for aviation’s economic impact, working closely with Capitol Hill and federal agencies to elevate the profile of general aviation. She is a respected member and board director of several industry organizations, including the Aero Club of Washington, TSA Aviation Security Advisory Subcommittee, NBAA, NATA, AAAE, GAMA, Women in Aviation International, and the National Aeronautical Association. She also serves on the board of the Washington Airports Task Force.

Mary leaves behind a legacy of leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the aviation industry.

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

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On Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications

Meet Jonna McGrath, Vice President of Airport Operations for United Airlines Denver hub. 

She oversees the safe execution of all aspects of the operation at United's fastest growing hub. She has more than three decades of aviation industry experience after beginning her career with United as a frontline agent. She's passionate about building a positive culture for employees and an exceptional experience for customers.

Interview by: WAI CEO Lynda Coffman

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

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On Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomenInAviation

Meet Alison (Ali) Faddis, Director of Global Aviation Operations for Amazon Air.

She brings extensive aviation leadership experience to Amazon Air to oversee Network Control Center, Aviation Standards and Training, Aviation Safety, and Air Carrier Operations teams. Ali’s career began as a pilot at Horizon Air, where she advanced to serve as FAR Part 119 Director of Operations and System Chief Pilot while maintaining captain qualifications on multiple aircraft types. Prior to joining Amazon in 2022, she was Vice President of Flight Operations at Boeing's Insitu Inc., leading a global team of over 200 operators in unmanned aircraft operations for defense applications. Throughout her career, Ali has focused on creating and sustaining safe aviation operations while ensuring efficient delivery for customers worldwide.

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications 

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

On Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomenInAviation

Meet Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman in the U.S Air Force and retired United B787 Captain

Theresa Claiborne retired in May 2024 from United Airlines as captain of the Boeing 787 with 23,000 flight hours. Theresa is a pioneer as the first Black woman pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where she served as the first Black woman to command and instruct in the KC-135 Stratotanker during her seven years on active duty in the military and 13 years in the reserves. When Theresa joined United, she became the airline’s second Black woman pilot and retired as one of less than 200 Black women pilots in the United States and one of 25 at United Airlines. Theresa has won many accolades during her long career, and at WAI2025 in Denver, she was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame during a ceremony and celebration. 

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications 

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

On Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomenInAviation

Meet Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, Civil Air Patrol’s national commander and the corporation’s CEO. 

As Civil Air Patrol’s 26th national commander, she is a major (two-star), the highest-ranking CAP officer. She leads CAP’s nearly 70,000 members across the United States in fulfilling the nonprofit organization’s three primary programs of emergency services, cadet programs, and aerospace education.

Her more than 30-year CAP career began in 1989 as a cadet in the Kansas Wing, where she achieved the cadet program’s highest honor — the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award — in 1992. 

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications 

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

On Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomenInAviation

Meet Rick Leach, President and CEO of GoJet Airlines

A long-time aviation industry veteran, Rick has worked in the industry for 44 years in numerous airline leadership roles as well as being a board member of the Regional Airline Association (RAA.org). His airline career began after college with Air Illinois and shortly thereafter, he was recruited by Jet America Airlines, to start as a customer service trainer at their new St. Louis operation.

During his tenure at Jet America, he also held the positions of city manager of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area operation and city manager of the St. Louis operation. Choosing not to relocate his family back to the West Coast, Rick joined the privately held Resort Air as their director of stations in 1988. In this role, he was one of the principals who helped lead this small airline through a significant growth and certification process, assisting with the conversion from Part 135 to Part 121 operations, as well as the certification of its new ATR fleet. In 1989, the airline changed its name to Trans States Airlines, and Rick was promoted to vice president. In 1998, he was promoted into the role of executive vice president and COO, and in 2003, he was promoted to president and CEO of Trans States Airlines, as well as president of Trans States Holdings, Inc., the airline's parent company.

In 2005, Rick founded GoJet Airlines, which became the second airline owned by Trans States Holdings. The Trans States Holdings family of airlines grew to three in 2010 when he negotiated the purchase of Compass Airlines from Delta and became president and CEO of these two airlines as well. In 2019, GoJet was selected by United to operate the CRJ-550, an innovative new product within Bombardier's successful CRJ family of aircraft.

From Rick’s arrival, Trans States Holdings grew from a carrier with twelve 19-seat Metroliners to one of the largest and most innovative regional airline holding companies in the market.

Interview by - Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air PodcastOn Air is brought to you by Women in Aviation International Strategic Partners Amazon and United.

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomenInAviation

Ever wonder what jobs are available at an airline? Learn more about the various opportunities available during this episode featuring a United Airlines panel discussion. 

Nikisha Ramsey – Director, Early Careers and Talent Partnerships 

Veronica Leacock Borchardt– Calibrate Partnerships Manager 

Kate Bufton – DEN Flight Operations Manager, Captain B737 

Houa Vang – DENVV Manager Ramp Tower Operations 

Roberta Zimmerman – Director of Air Traffic Data Analytics

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #WomeninAviation

Meet Michelle "MACE" Curran, a former United States Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time. Michelle “MACE” Curran channels her unique perspective into relatable storytelling in her newly published book The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower.

A WAI conference attendee and keynote speaker, Michelle’s lessons learned will empower you to make bold choices and find your inner courage. Follow her journey on Instagram @mace_curran. 

🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast#AviationPodcast #Thunderbirds #Flipside #MACE