When the Skies Tighten, We Rise
I had the privilege of attending the opening session of WAI2025, where Lynda Coffman, CEO of Women in Aviation International, delivered what I can only describe as a thunderclap of a keynote. It wasn’t polished to perfection—it was raw, righteous, and real.
This wasn’t a feel-good pep talk. This was a call to fortify.
Speaking Truth in Turbulent Times
Lynda opened by doing something I deeply respect: she acknowledged the moment we’re in without flinching. Her original speech was written in December. She rewrote it again in February. Then again just a week before WAI2025. Why? Because the ground keeps shifting under us.
And the headline? The DEI backlash is accelerating—and it’s strategic.
We’re watching more than 26,000 photos, articles, and historical records—many featuring women, LGBTQ+ aviators, and people of color—being flagged for removal from military archives. Yes, that includes the WASPs. Yes, that includes the Tuskegee Airmen. This isn’t just symbolic erasure. It’s cultural anesthesia.
When Policies Become Barriers
The changes don’t stop at history. Lynda called out policy rollbacks that are cutting off funding for programs designed to break barriers. These cuts are already impacting the pipeline for girls and young women in aviation. And let’s be clear: fewer women entering this field means a smaller talent pool—which compromises safety, performance, and progress across the industry.
As she put it: These aren’t just policy moves. They’re people moves.
We Channel the Anger
Midway through the keynote, Lynda asked, “How many of you are feeling angry?” Hands shot up. Mine included.
Her message was loud and clear: Own that fire. Use it.
Fear is what drives these attacks—fear of change, fear of inclusion, fear of what we bring to the flight deck. So let them be afraid. We’ve got work to do.
Ideas Become Action
Lynda didn’t just drop truths—she brought tools:
WAI Together: A new social platform to keep the community connected, safely and intentionally.
A Podcast Series: Stories from our ranks, shared in our voices.
Brain Date: A conference feature helping members make purposeful, curated connections.
Global Ambassador Program: Because this mission is bigger than borders.
She also reminded us of something crucial from a recent article: systemic exclusion isn’t about who women are—it’s about how aviation is structured. Changing that takes both individual courage and collective effort.
Flight Checklist
Lynda issued a challenge: “Each one, reach one.”
We’re at 21,000 WAI members today. The target is 25,000 by April 15.
That’s not just about headcount—it’s about presence. Visibility. Momentum.
So here’s your checklist:
Invite someone into this fold.
Log in to WAI Together.
Sign up for Brain Date.
Volunteer, mentor, donate—whatever you’ve got to give.
Because this isn’t just about us. It’s about who comes next. And they’re watching.
The Elevate Initiative: A Personal Mission
Before we close, I want to take a moment to talk about something very personal—The Elevate Initiative.
I created The Elevate Initiative because I was tired of waiting. Tired of seeing the same conversations about gender equity cycle through boardrooms without action. Tired of watching brilliant, capable women stall out in their careers—not because of lack of talent, but because the systems weren’t built for them to thrive.
The Elevate Initiative is my answer to that.
It’s a framework for reimagining leadership and rewiring culture—to move beyond lip service and make structural change real. It’s for organizations that are ready to go deeper, to get honest, and to invest in a future where women don’t just get in the door—they rise.
From executive coaching to culture diagnostics to strategic advising, Elevate works with companies ready to shift from performative to transformative. And yes, we’re unapologetically focused on outcomes—not optics.
Because here’s what I believe: when we transform how organizations lead, we transform who gets to lead. That’s the altitude change we need.
Learn more or reach out here: danakirchmar.com
DEI Backlash Career Survival Guide
Lastly, if you’re navigating the shifting sands of DEI in your own career, I created a DEI Backlash Career Survival Guide—because you shouldn’t have to choose between your values and your vocation. It’s packed with strategies for aligning your work with equity, no matter what headwinds you're facing. (Request your copy here)
We are navigating headwinds. But we are navigating together.