Why I Created the Lift Circle
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.
During college, there were so few women in my program that the engineering building didn’t even have women’s restrooms on the main floor. I had to go to the basement every time I needed to use the bathroom. It was a daily reminder that I didn’t belong in that space—at least, not according to the way things were designed.
Throughout those years, I longed for a community of women who truly understood what I was experiencing. Women who could offer support, guidance, and reassurance. I wanted role models I could look up to and aspire to be, but also wanted to connect with peers facing the same challenges and mentors who had navigated the path ahead of me. Sadly, those spaces were rare—if they even existed at all.
The Turning Point: A Lesson in Sisterhood
I’ll never forget one particular moment early in my career. I admired a senior software engineering manager, one of the few women I had encountered in a leadership role. I worked up the courage to ask her if she would mentor me. To my surprise, her response was cold: "No one helped me get to where I am, so why should I help you?"
That interaction left a deep mark on me. I began to see a recurring theme throughout my career: there was often a sense of competition among women in aviation and aerospace. With so few of us in the industry—and even fewer in leadership roles—it seemed that we were in competition for the limited opportunities available. I wondered why we weren’t seeing ourselves as sisters, working together to lift each other up, but instead as competitors fighting for the small pieces of the pie available to us.
I’ve come to realize that there is more than enough pie for everyone. It’s time to change the narrative. I don’t want any woman to feel as alone or unsupported as I did for so many years.
The Birth of the Lift Circle: A Community for Us
That’s why I created the Lift Circle.
The Lift Circle is a place I’ve needed for the last 40 years—a space where women, no matter where they are in their aviation and aerospace education and careers, can come together, ask questions, share experiences, get support, and celebrate one another's successes. Whether you're just starting out or already in a leadership role, this is a community where you can see role models, become role models, and connect with other women who understand what you’re going through.
This is the space I longed for but could never find throughout my education and career. It’s a safe haven where we can be vulnerable, lift each other up, and remind ourselves that we don’t have to go through this journey alone. I created this community to be the support system I didn’t have—a place where we don’t compete for scraps but instead celebrate the fact that we are all rising together.
What the Lift Circle Offers
Right now, we’re in the early stages. The Lift Circle is still bare bones, but with your help and participation, it will grow into something truly transformative. And the best part? It’s completely free. Every single event, resource, and discussion in this community is available to you at no cost.
Here’s what you can expect in the Lift Circle:
Monthly Themes: Each month, we focus on a new theme to inspire and empower us, from New Beginnings in January to Harnessing Abundance in August.
Weekly Activities: You’ll have access to live workshops, discussion groups, and action challenges that keep you engaged and connected with the community.
Support Forums: Whether you need advice on career development, leadership challenges, or workplace discrimination, our forums are a safe space where you can share your struggles and get support from other women.
Resources for Navigating Challenges: From step-by-step guides to career-building tools, the Lift Circle offers resources to help you thrive in your career.
Join Us Today
I invite you to join me in this journey. The Lift Circle is more than a community—it’s a movement, a commitment to ensuring that no woman in aviation or aerospace ever has to feel lonely or unsupported again. Together, we can create a powerful network where we lift each other up, celebrate our successes, and help each other through the tough times.
Conclusion
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. The Lift Circle is just one part of the bigger mission to support and elevate women in aviation and aerospace, but it’s the start of something I’ve been working toward my whole career.
The Lift Circle isn’t just another networking group—it’s a space where women, from every stage of their aviation and aerospace education and careers, can come together to connect, grow, and support one another. It’s a space where we can celebrate our individual successes, but more importantly, celebrate each other’s. We are stronger when we lift each other up, and I want this community to be the place where that happens.
Here’s why the Lift Circle is different:
It’s free: Every discussion, every workshop, every connection you make—it’s all available at no cost because I believe in creating a space where all women have access to support and resources, no matter their career level or background.
It’s designed to meet you where you are: Whether you're just starting out in the industry or you're a seasoned leader, the Lift Circle has something for you. From practical resources on leadership and career advancement to personal stories of resilience, this community will offer insights and guidance that are relevant to your journey.
It’s built for connection: We thrive when we connect with others who share our experiences. The support forums, monthly themes, and weekly activities are all designed to foster those connections, giving you a space where you can find real support from women who understand the unique challenges we face in this industry.
It’s about mentorship: One of the most important elements of the Lift Circle is the opportunity to learn from others and become a mentor yourself. Whether you’re looking for advice or offering your own insights, the Lift Circle gives you a platform to be a part of something bigger, helping other women navigate their careers while getting the support you need to thrive in yours.
We’re just getting started, but I have a bold vision for this community. Together, we can build a place where women lift each other up, where mentorship is the norm, and where no one has to feel isolated in their journey. This community is not only a resource—it’s a sisterhood, a place where we are not competitors but collaborators, united in our goal to see each other rise and thrive.
What Else You Can Do
Here are a few more ways you can get involved and start making the most of The Elevate Initiative:
Download the Free Mini-Course: Navigating Challenges in Aviation and Aerospace https://theleap.co/@TheElevateInitiative This free mini-course will guide you through key strategies to thrive in a male-dominated industry. It’s a great way to start your Lift Circle journey with some practical insights.
Attend the October Elevate Executive Exchange. This month's Elevate Executive Exchange will focus on Attracting, Retaining, and Promoting Women to Leadership Roles in aviation and aerospace. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with executives and thought leaders in the industry. https://www.danakirchmar.com/upcoming-events/eee-10302024
Book a 20-Minute Call with Me If you’d like to discuss how the Lift Circle can support you in your career journey or explore ways we can work together, I’d love to connect. Book a free 20-minute call, and let’s chat about how we can lift each other higher. https://calendly.com/danakirchmar/20-minute-introduction
Together, we’ll rise beyond the flight deck and into a future where women are empowered, supported, and thriving. The Lift Circle is here to make sure that no woman in aviation or aerospace has to navigate her journey alone. I can’t wait to see you in the community—let’s build something powerful, together.
With gratitude,
Dana Kirchmar