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.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

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.

📲 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 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.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

#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.

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

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

Meet The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair.

Jennifer L. Homendy is the 15th Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation, including rail, transit, roadway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. 

Chair Homendy has served as the agency’s 44th Board Member since 2018 and Chairman since 2021. She was re-nominated and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2024 to continue serving in both roles. Her current term as Chair expires in August 2027, while her term as Board Member expires at the end of 2029.

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

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #NTSB #AviationSafety #JenniferHomendy #WomeninAviation

Meet Taylor Deen, one of the few female Goodyear blimp pilots in the world.

Taylor Deen is one of the few active female blimp pilots in the world. At 37 years old, she has achieved the role of chief pilot with the Goodyear Blimp, logging more than 2,500 hours of lighter-than-air (LTA) flight hours and 3,000 fixed-wing hours. She earned her pilot license in 2005 and continued training to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with CFI-Instrumentation training. Taylor joined the California-based Goodyear blimp team in 2011 after flying as a charter pilot in Juneau, Alaska. She is currently a captain for the Goodyear Blimp Wingfoot Three and leads its Carson-based crew.

As a pilot for the world-renowned aerial brand ambassador for over a decade, Taylor has flown the blimp through more than 20 U.S. states as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. She has captained flights over notable sports and entertainment events, including multiple NBA Finals, Academy Awards, and Golden Globes red carpets, PGA Tour events, and Rose Bowls. When not flying for transit or television, she has shared the blimp ride experience with hundreds of fortunate passengers, from tire dealers to philanthropists to celebrities. Taylor’s most memorable flights have included flying her grandparents in her home state of Oregon during a transit stop on the way to Tacoma, Washington for the U.S. Open of golf (2015) and two rare formation flights, including a two-blimp tandem flight over NASCAR’s Daytona 500 with retired GZ-20 models Spirit of Innovation and Spirit of Goodyear in Florida (2014) followed by an old-meets-new blimp dual maneuver with new technology airship Wingfoot One and the last GZ-20 model Spirit of Innovation (2015). As Goodyear transitioned its blimp fleet to the new, state-of-the-art “Wingfoot” airships, Taylor was proudly among the four Goodyear pilots who were the last in the world to fly the GZ-20 model blimp into its retirement (2017).

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

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #GoodyearBlimp #Blimp #BlimpPilot  #WomenInAviation

Meet Jackie Ruiz, founder of Latinas in Aviation.

Jacqueline calls herself a visionary social entrepreneur. Born in Mexico City, she moved to the United States at age 14, where she learned English and German. She has created two successful, award-winning companies, established two nonprofit organizations, published 16 books, created over 10 products, and held dozens of events around the world in just the past decade.

Jackie is a regular guest on TV and radio, including CBS World News, CBS Chicago, WGN-TV, ABC7 News, WGN Radio 720, and has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Inc., and others. She is one of the few Latina sports airplane pilots in the United States, and Jackie believes that “taking off is optional, landing on your dreams is mandatory.”

The book Latinas in Aviation is available on Amazon. 100% of book proceeds will go to the Pilotina Scholarship for young women aged 17 to 24.

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

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #femalepilot #LatinasinAviation 

Meet The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair.

Jennifer L. Homendy is the 15th Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation, including rail, transit, roadway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. 

Chair Homendy has served as the agency’s 44th Board Member since 2018 and Chairman since 2021. She was re-nominated and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2024 to continue serving in both roles. Her current term as Chair expires in August 2027, while her term as Board Member expires at the end of 2029.

Prior to the NTSB, Chair Homendy spent nearly 15 years as Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives. She previously held positions with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, and the American Iron and Steel Institute.
Chair Homendy completed her undergraduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg and recently obtained her Master of Transportation Safety Administration degree from Clemson University’s Institute for Global Road Safety and Security.

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

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #NTSB #AviationSafety #JenniferHomendy #WomeninAviation

Meet the mother-daughter duo Katie and Willa Clark, BETA Technologies.

Learn more about the various backgrounds and talents the Clark family brought together to build Vermont-based BETA Technologies—an aerospace company manufacturing electric flight.

You’ll meet the mother-daughter duo Katie and Willa Clark, featured on the cover of Aviation for Women Q2 2025 issue, and hear how the power of family grew the company from a handful of volunteers to over 800 employees to manufacture the BETA ALIA aircraft. Visit BETA.team to follow the progress of the company.

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

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #femalepilot #BETA #BetaTechnologies 

As we wrap-up 2025, WAI Director, Communications Kelly Murphy, and Communications Coordinator Suprina Kaur, take our listeners on a reflective tour of the 13 episodes of the Season 1 WAI On Air podcast. A special thanks to this year’s strategic partners, Amazon and United, for their generous support during the WAI On Air Podcasts. 😍🎙️

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

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #femalepilot #WrapUp #Podcast #2025 

Meet Stephanie Goetz, a businesswoman, leadership coach, philanthropist, professional pilot, TEDx speaker, and professional singer.

Stephanie Goetz is a modern-day Renaissance woman. She is an award-winning former news and sports anchor at NBC, CBS, and ABC, a businesswoman, executive communication, leadership coach, philanthropist, professional pilot, TEDx speaker, and professional singer. As a keynote speaker, coach and mentor, she guides leaders and professionals on their personal development journeys, helping them to discover their potential, shatter their own glass ceiling, and achieve their goals.

Stephanie’s multifaceted career and commitment to personal growth serve as a powerful inspiration to all. Professionally, she has five jet type ratings and is qualified to fly multiple
aircraft types. She flew the Bombardier Global 6000/5000/5500 for the world’s largest and most prestigious private jet company. She performs in air shows and competes in aerobatic competitions. Stephanie is also a flight instructor and flies an L-39 Albatros – a military trainer jet.

Stephanie has a storied past of perseverance, determination, and overcoming significant obstacles. At a young age, she tragically lost her only siblings – her beloved older brothers – followed by the loss of numerous family members. Stephanie was able to dig deep and persevere through immense loss and build multiple successful careers in broadcast, entrepreneurship, aviation, singing, and more. She discovered how to be limitless. And she now teaches others how to LEVEL UP and go from dreaming to doing and achieving anything they desire.

Stephanie rose quickly in business aviation and was awarded the distinguished NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) Top 40 Under 40 Award as one of the outstanding professionals in that field.

Stephanie and her husband are deeply committed to building up and empowering the next generation of professionals and aviators. Stephanie, in particular, has been instrumental in starting a non-profit to empower mental health called Imagine Thriving which has helped thousands across the upper Midwest. She and her husband have also donated tens of thousands of dollars in multi-engine scholarships to underrepresented groups in aviation (OBAP - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Women in Aviation, Sisters of the Skies, NGPA - National Gay Pilots Association) and even donated an airplane to the Luke Weather Flight Academy. Philanthropy is not just a part of their lives; it’s a driving force. And they strongly encourage others to follow suit.

Stephanie is not just a successful professional; she is also a mentor, advisor and guide. She understands the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams because she’s done it herself—multiple times. Her journey is a source of inspiration, encouraging audiences to break through their barriers, chase their dreams, and move confidently toward their passions. Her words resonate, reminding us all that we have the power to shape our own destinies no matter our skills or where we come from.

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

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #femalepilot #ThePinkJet 

Stephanie Chung is not just the #1 international best-selling author of ALLY Leadership, How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You: she's also a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has cultivated a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities and transforming growing businesses into thriving hubs of success.

As a former chief growth officer for Wheels Up, Stephanie spearheaded a growth strategy that not only elevated revenues but also fostered market expansion, resulting in a significant increase in diverse membership. Prior to her tenure at Wheels Up, Stephanie blazed trails as the first African American to helm a private jet company, JetSuite. Under her visionary leadership, JetSuite evolved from a mere service provider to a symbol of luxury and excellence.

Stephanie's illustrious career also includes pivotal roles at American Airlines, Flexjet, and Bombardier Aerospace, where she engineered revenue generation strategies that achieved remarkable success.

Stephanie's impact extends far beyond the boardroom - beyond her professional achievements, she is a dedicated advocate, serving on the Make-A-Wish Board and the Advisory Council for the National Business Aviation Association among others.

Her journey is a testament to the power of strategic thinking, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence. Meet Stephanie at WAI2026 in Dallas, Texas, when she closes the general session on Saturday, March 21, 10:30-11:45 a.m. with an engaging keynote presentation.

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

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

Meet Joan Sullivan Garrett, founder of MedAire and a pioneer in aviation telemedicine. Working as a critical-care flight nurse in the early 1980s, Joan was regularly called into high-stakes emergency evacuations in remote regions. A life-altering mission to rescue victims of a traffic accident in rural Arizona inspired her to reimagine how medical care could be delivered in inaccessible environments. She founded MedAire from her garage, developing the first in-flight medical kits for business aviation. Today, MedAire continues to deliver innovative solutions and aviation safety and support for over 40 years.

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

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #PHOF2026 

A 2019 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee and former Presidential appointee, Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Retired) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow, and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States.

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

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#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #FighterPilot #femalepilot 

Meet Lynda Coffman, CEO of Women in Aviation International (WAI). 

She leads the business development and strategic direction of the 20,000-member strong nonprofit organization while partnering with the board of directors and overseeing staff and daily operations. 

Prior to joining WAI in January 2024, Lynda served as vice president of United Airlines and president of United Ground Express, a wholly owned airport operating subsidiary of United Airlines. Lynda has more than 30 years of successful leadership positions at United in various roles that highlight her passion for financial management, operational oversight, strategic planning, and talent retention. She has served on multiple private company and nonprofit boards and has received several awards for her influential contributions. A strong communicator dedicated to inspiring youth in aviation and aerospace, Lynda has also held numerous leadership and sponsorship roles supporting initiatives to champion diversity. 

Lynda has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University and a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Lynda resides in Barrington, Illinois, with her husband, and they have a daughter. 

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

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

Meet Diana Birkett Rakow of Hawaiian Airlines

As chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines, Diana Birkett Rakow is responsible for the performance and advancement of the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group’s business in Hawai‘i — including Honolulu, the combined company’s second largest international hub after Seattle.

She also leads Air Group’s sustainability and venture investment strategies as a member of the company’s executive committee. Diana has been a member of Alaska Airlines’ executive committee for the last eight years, previously responsible for public affairs and sustainability, overseeing government affairs, communications, sustainability and corporate impact, community and cultural relations, sales and customer engagement in the states of Hawaiʻi and Alaska, and the Alaska Star Ventures investment arm.

Diana joined Alaska after two decades in the health care industry and government. Prior to Alaska, she was executive vice president of public affairs and marketing at Group Health, leading brand, strategy and stakeholder engagement through the company’s acquisition by Kaiser Permanente and launching the resulting, new $1.8 billion foundation. Before joining Group Health, she was health policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in Washington, D.C.

Diana holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University and master’s degrees in public health and public administration from the University of Washington. She is a board director for Hawaiian Airlines and Puget Sound Energy and serves on international councils to advance sustainability and clean energy.

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

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

Meet Jennifer Draughon, she leads a dynamic team of aerial firefighting experts as president of Neptune Aviation. She began her aviation career at Boeing, where she worked at the flight-testing field in quality assurance. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Jennifer is recognized as a leader in aerial wildland firefighting. Under her leadership, Neptune is innovating in the rapidly evolving aerial firefighting landscape, and she is transforming Neptune by cultivating a working environment of trust, by investing in cutting edge technology, and by championing operational and safety excellence. Jennifer is committed to upholding Neptune’s company values of a firm handshake, a resilient spirit, and embracing family. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Montana, a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Washington, and is CPA certified.

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

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

Meet Dr. Peggy Chabrian

Dr. Peggy Chabrian is the founder of Women in Aviation International and retired as WAI president/CEO in September 2019. She grew the organization from its first conference attended by 150 people in 1990 to an organization representing thousands of women in all aspects of aviation today.

A long-time aviation enthusiast and professional aviation educator, Peggy is a 2,800-hour commercial/instrument multi-engine pilot and flight instructor who has been flying for over 45 years. She also holds helicopter and seaplane ratings to her flight qualifications. Peggy currently enjoys flying her Cessna 150.

Prior to her founding Women in Aviation International, she held several top positions in aviation education including Academic Dean and Associate Vice President of Parks College; Dean of Academic Support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus; Director of the Center of Excellence for Aviation/Space Education at ERAU's Daytona Beach campus; and Department Chair of the aviation department at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

She currently owns Chabrian Aviation, a consulting business and serves as an online adjunct faculty member for Liberty University's School of Aeronautics in their PhD and Master’s degree programs.

Peggy was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2024, and is also the recipient of the National Aeronautics Association’s Brewer Award for Aviation Education, the Wesley McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award, and the Henderson Trophy in 2020. She has received the FAA Administrator's Award for Excellence in Aviation Education and the Vision Award from Business and Commercial Aviation magazine. She was inducted into the Crown Circle of the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education.

Available on Spofity, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast

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

Meet Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a retired fighter pilot, and veteran. She is a highly experienced leader, command pilot, instructor pilot and evaluator.

During her time in the Air Force, she accumulated over 3,500 hours in Schwitzer 2-33 gliders, Cessna 172, T-37B Tweet, T-38 Talon, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. She was the first femalereserve officer to fly for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron (Thunderbirds), and was the first woman qualified to fly in the Air Force’s new jet trainer, the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk. Blaze has worked extensively with leading teams in and out of the cockpit.

Her flight experience includes 1,870 hours in the F-16 (200 combat hours) and over 1,500 hours instructing in the T-38 Talon. She fondly remembers flying in the #3 Right Wing position for the Thunderbirds and her time in OPERATION IRAQIFREEDOM supporting US and allied troops on the ground. Outside the cockpit she served as a Legislative Fellow in the Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Senate office and later for a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. She led flight operations and personnel of the 64th AggressorSquadron and served as Deputy Commander for more than 300 personnel across five geographically separated units working in Space, Space and Weapons Test, Aggressor, and USAF Weapons School missions while in the Air Force. 

Blaze is a mother to Finn, who has the distinction of being the first child in the U.S. to see his mother fly in an advanced jet aerobatic demonstration. She resides in Las Vegas with her dog, Gunner.  She is a dynamic motivational speaker who inspires others to be "Brilliant Under Pressure" by sharing lessons learned as an F-16 combat pilot and Thunderbird demonstration pilot. 

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

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Meet Amy Tomlinson—the Blue Angels' first female weapons system officer— who leads drone delivery at Amazon Prime Air. Amy has over 25 years of leadership and management experience including a strong background in instructing, mentoring, and program/project management. Her skills include combat operations, flight training, team building, planning, risk management, data analysis, public speaking and personnel management. 

Amy served her country as a Naval Aviator for 21 years, flying in the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Officer and accumulating over 1600 flight hours and 220 carrier arrested landings. She was the first female weapons system officer (aviator) ever selected to serve with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron. 

With a BA in public relations from the University of Southern California and her MBA from Santa Clara University she lives in Pacific Grove, California, with her husband and two children. She was elected to serve her community as a City Council Member from 2018-2022 and four years ago joined Amazon as a Senior Program Manager.

In her most recent role, Amy has taken on the exciting challenge of advancing cutting-edge technology of commercial drone delivery at Amazon Prime Air. In this position, she leverages her aviation background and leadership skills to drive forward Amazon's innovative drone delivery program, helping to shape the future of logistics and last-mile delivery solutions.

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

📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast 

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Pete Muntean is a CNN correspondent based in Washington, D.C. A pilot and flight instructor, he covers aviation and transportation as well as general assignment stories for the network.Pete came to CNN in 2020 after a decade in local news. He was the transportation reporter for WUSA9 in Washington, D.C. where he detailed chronic safety problems on the Metro public transit system and led the station’s coverage of air disasters including the Boeing 737 Max and the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.Prior, Pete covered the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for WGAL News 8. There, he covered two gubernatorial administrations, a months-long state government shutdown, and earned an Emmy nomination for exposing wasteful spending by state lawmakers. He reported on the Penn State child sex abuse scandal and the trial of Jerry Sandusky from start to finish.Pete draws on his knowledge from a lifetime in aviation. Taught by his late parents, he’s been flying airplanes since he was a teenager and now mentors new pilots and competes in aerobatic flying competitions. He holds a commercial license and is a Certificated Flight Instructor - Instrument.Pete began his broadcasting career as an intern at CNN Center in Atlanta, working under former CNN anchor and correspondent Miles O’Brien. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism.🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

Meet Jessica Cox, the world's first licensed armless pilot. Adaptability has defined Jessica Cox's life. Refusing to see herself as different, she mastered everyday tasks with her feet and continually defied expectations. Her lifetime of adapting led her to become a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and the world's first licensed armless pilot.

Jessica's journey, from dreaming of flying on the playground to achieving extraordinary feats, epitomizes the limitless potential of an adaptable mindset. She founded Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to arm children born with bilateral limb difference with the skills and tools needed to live independent and fulfilling lives. Through their unique programs, Jessica is leading the charge in changing perceptions of people with disabilities while advocating for accessibility and inclusion. This effort includes her Life With Feet channel on YouTube, which to date has more than 1.7 million views and 10.2K subscribers.🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #Rightfooted #ImpossibleAirplane #VansRV10