In male-dominated fields like aviation and aerospace, women face a unique challenge: the constant need to prove their worth. Whether we’re engineers, pilots, executives, or technicians, we often find ourselves in roles where we’re the only woman at the table or one of a few in the room. In these spaces, there’s an unspoken expectation that we must be exceptional—not only to excel in our jobs but to “justify” our place. For women, this often translates into bending over backwards, making sacrifices, and putting personal needs on hold just to keep up.

I was several decades into my career—eight years at the company I had been working at, and I still had never received a promotion. Meanwhile, men with less experience were being promoted around me. It was frustrating, but I pushed forward, committed to my work and to making a difference.

Then, a leadership role opened up—a role I believed I was the perfect fit for. The leader who was retiring had worked closely with me and his team for the entire time I’d been at the company. I understood their processes inside and out, had built strong relationships with the team, and had earned their respect. I felt I had interviewed well and was hopeful this would finally be my chance to step into a well-deserved leadership position.

But despite all of that, the job went to someone else—a man hired from outside the company with zero experience in aviation. He was a complete unknown quantity, yet somehow, the decision-makers felt he was a better fit than me. I wasn’t even informed that I hadn’t gotten the job. Instead, I found out when I was introduced to him on his first day at work. No feedback, no explanation, no communication at all.

There’s a question I keep coming back to: Why is it so difficult to get men—especially those in leadership positions—to actively help attract, retain, and promote women in aviation and aerospace? It’s not enough to simply say, “We hire based on merit” or “We choose the best person for the job.” That’s the baseline, not the solution. True change requires intentional actions, not passive expectations.

Welcome to this week's edition of "Beyond the Flight Deck," where we continue our mission to empower and advance women in the aviation and aerospace industries. Today, we turn our attention to a significant legislative milestone—the establishment of the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee under Section 403 of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, signed into law in May 2024. Despite its promising inception, there has been a noticeable silence surrounding the committee's activities since its formation. In this article, we explore the implications of this development and discuss actionable insights that non-governmental industry players can adopt to further gender equity in aviation and aerospace.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been the only one—or one of a handful of women—in the room.

In high school calculus, I was surrounded by boys, feeling out of place but determined. When I pursued my degree in electrical engineering, the sense of being the “only one” deepened. Walking into lecture halls and labs where no one looked like me, I quickly realized that I was venturing down a path few women had taken before. And when I entered the aviation and aerospace industry, that feeling only intensified. I spent nearly my entire 37-year career often being the only woman or one of a handful in boardrooms, project meetings, and technical discussions. Not only was I alone, but I often felt lonely and isolated.

Welcome to this week's edition of "Beyond the Flight Deck," where we dive into the myriad opportunities and advantages of pursuing a career in the aviation and aerospace industries. Our mission is to exponentially increase the number of women working in and leading these dynamic fields. In this edition, we explore the compelling reasons why a career in aviation and aerospace is not only rewarding but also offers unparalleled benefits. Whether you're a student contemplating your future or a professional considering a career change, discover why aviation and aerospace might be the perfect fit for you.

Welcome to this week's edition of "Beyond the Flight Deck," where we focus on creating actionable change in the aviation and aerospace industries. Our mission is to exponentially increase the number of women working in and leading these fields. In this edition, we explore the critical career of an Aviation Safety Inspector.

We’ll also highlight the upcoming Elevate Executive Exchange on September 25, 2024, where industry leaders will come together to discuss strategies for building a more equitable future for women in aviation. Join us as we discuss the importance of investment in every phase of a woman’s career—from education to leadership.  It’s time to commit to meaningful action.

Welcome to this edition of Beyond the Flight Deck. In today's article, we’ll dive into a key business driver that often goes overlooked—female representation in leadership roles—and how it directly impacts the bottom line.

In industries like aviation and aerospace where women are woefully underrepresented, the need for diverse leadership has never been greater. Beyond the ethical and fairness arguments for gender diversity, the data shows that female representation at the leadership level is a strategic advantage that drives long-term success. For organizations looking to maintain a competitive edge, foster innovation, and achieve sustainable growth, the inclusion of women in leadership is not just a goal—it’s a business imperative.

Throughout my career, I’ve had firsthand experiences that taught me the significance of setting clear boundaries. I found myself in situations where I didn’t communicate or even recognize my own non-negotiables. For example, I once drove through a blizzard in the middle of the night to solve a work problem, leading to a spinout accident that left me stranded until daylight. Another time, I allowed myself to be available to my company 24/7, including holidays, until they began expecting it. When I took a few hours for myself during a holiday weekend to enjoy a hike, I was fired for not being immediately reachable.

Welcome to this week's edition of "Beyond the Flight Deck," where we tackle some of the most pressing issues within the aviation and aerospace industries. Our mission is to exponentially increase the number of women who work in and lead these fields. Today, we focus on the urgent need for gender equity in our industry, inspired by a recent LinkedIn post and a Forbes article on America’s Best Employers for Women 2024. This edition explores the current state of gender representation in aviation and aerospace, the challenges we face in attracting and retaining women, and the concrete steps organizations must take to create a more equitable workplace.

In my previous edition of Beyond the Flight Deck, I shared my journey through the stages of grief after unexpectedly finding myself unemployed. It’s been a process of reflection, acceptance, and determination to move forward. But as the days pass, I’m finding that navigating this new reality isn’t as simple as just putting one foot in front of the other. There’s a conflict within me—a push and pull between the drive to charge ahead into the next chapter of my career and the need to take time for self-care.

Welcome to this edition of Beyond the Flight Deck. In aviation, we often talk about resilience—the ability to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward despite the challenges we face. But resilience isn’t just a professional skill; it’s a deeply personal one, too. In this edition, I’m sharing a very personal story about the journey through the stages of grief after facing a career setback.

For the third time in my career, I’ve found myself in a position I never expected—unemployed, not because of anything I did, but because the startup I was passionate about ceased business operations. This experience has forced me to confront some difficult emotions, and I’ve come to realize that, like many forms of loss, this situation required me to go through the stages of grief.

This isn’t a process that can be rushed. It’s something I’m still working through, and it’s a journey that will take time. But I’m learning to take it one day at a time, putting one foot in front of the other, and moving forward with hope and determination.

For the third time in my career, I have found myself unemployed. Not because of anything I did, but because the startup that I chose to work for ceased business operations. Maybe I am naive because I chose not to see it coming, but I prefer to think of it as a deliberate choice to focus on the potential rather than the pitfalls. This optimism—or perhaps this willful determination—has fueled my career in aviation and anerospace and continues to guide me as I face yet another unexpected chapter in my journey. Today, I find myself reflecting not just on the challenges I’ve faced, but on the resilience and hope that have always driven me forward.

Welcome to “Beyond the Flight Deck”, a platform dedicated to shedding light on the critical roles within the aviation and aerospace industries. Our mission is to increase awareness and foster a more inclusive and diverse workforce, particularly by championing the representation and advancement of women in leadership positions. True innovation and operational excellence are achieved when diverse perspectives and talents are integrated at all levels of the industry.

As we prepare for the launch of our Monthly "Elevate Executive Exchanges" in September, it’s important to discuss why active executive engagement is crucial for achieving gender balance in aviation and aerospace. Passive support is not enough; we need proactive and committed actions from our industry leaders.