AVIATE with Shaesta

The launch of season four of the AVIATE with Shaesta is here. This week's special guest is Zahra Hirani, the Chief Financial Officer of Boeing Capital Corporation. Zahra has a compelling story that I resonate with. In 1972, Hirani and her family were expelled from their home in Uganda and were placed in a refugee camp in the United Kingdom. Eventually, Zahra and her family settled in Canada, where she would spend her early years figuring out her place in the world and her passions. With her parent's support, Zahra enrolled at the University of Waterloo, where she pursued a bachelor's in mathematics. Waterloo provided Zahra with a nurturing and unbiased environment, which was vital since she spent most of her adolescent life being bullied by her classmates because she was an immigrant. After fearlessly pursuing her love for numbers, Zahra's career includes accounting, auditing, and business advisory services to domestic and international companies. She has dedicated the past decade to serving in various financial and leadership roles for Boeing. Welcome, Zahra! A special thank you to Atlantic Aviation for sponsoring our podcast and providing these critical conversations and insights to the industry. It has been four seasons now, and we appreciate your partnership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest in this episode is Director Vanessa Wyche from the NASA Johnson Space Center. Wyche is a dual alumna of Clemson University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering. She began her career at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and eventually found her way to NASA in 1989. At NASA, Vanessa has served in different positions, like Project Manager within the Space and Life Science Directorate. In this role, Wyche applied her engineering background towards developing and using hardware systems for medical and microgravity experiments on the space shuttle and the International Space Station. Today, Director Wyche serves as the thirteenth Director of NASA Johnson Space Center, a position she has held since June of 2021. In this episode, we talk about how Vanessa grew up in South Carolina as a curious young girl. Director Wyche shares how her biology teacher introduced her to engineering. We discuss the importance of community, role models, and balancing life as a professional, mom, and wife. Finally, Director Wyche talks about Artemis One and what she is excited about with space exploration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Saralyn Mark is a world-renowned leader in women's health and precision innovation. She founded SolaMed Solutions, LLC, a premier consulting firm, and iGIANT®, a nonprofit accelerator for gendered innovation, to provide scientific and strategic direction and public outreach for agencies, academia, industry, and professional and advocacy organizations. Dr. Mark served as the Senior Scientific Policy Advisor to the White House and the Senior Medical Advisor to HHS and NASA. She holds four academic appointments including at Yale and Kings College-London and has published and delivered over 700 lectures. Dr. Mark has received numerous awards for her contributions to medicine, precision health, and emerging and disruptive technologies. In 2014, Mark authored her book, Stellar Medicine: A Journey Through the Universe of Women’s Health, which is available on Amazon. In this episode, Saralyn talks about her career as the first-ever Senior Medical Advisor at NASA and shares some of the biggest takeaways. I asked Dr. Mark how we, as an industry, can better serve women. We dove into the concern for young professionals and their mental health in aviation. Finally, Saralyn talks about her work with iGIANT and how it supports women in the workplace through its lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today, Kendra Kincade, wears several hats, but she is most recognized as a celebrated Canadian Air Traffic Controller and Founder/Chair at Elevate Aviation. Kendra’s introduction to aviation came later in life at age 24. She was a single mother of four with no aviation background at the time. At age 13, Kendra ran away from home and eventually settled in a foster home. She got married at age 18 and started growing her family. When Kendra found herself going through a divorce, hope seemed so fragile. Her mentor stepped in and introduced Kendra to the world of Air Traffic. This introduction led Kendra to find her passion in life. In my conversation with Kendra, she opens up about her childhood, marriage, motherhood, and divorce while pursuing a career in aviation. She also shares how by getting out of her comfort zone to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, she discovered new opportunities to empower women with similar backgrounds and help them find their place in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is aviation attorney Alina Nassar. Alina was born and raised in Costa Rica. Her father, an attorney, also had a love for aviation that was passed along to Alina. As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the prestigious university in Belgium, KU Lueven, Alina practices Aviation and Competition Law as a partner in her home country. I met Alina a few years back when she became the president of the International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA). She was relatively young and determined to bring change for women in aviation. In this episode, we hear about Alina’s childhood in San Jose and how her interest in aviation, especially aviation law, came about. Alina also talks about a brief career change that helped define her career aspirations as an attorney. She shares insights about her profession. Finally, Alina talks about the IAWA “Soaring Through Glass Ceiling” report, which highlights how far women in aviation have come and pathways forward, that was published during her leadership at IAWA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a young girl growing up in Atlanta, chemistry and math were a passion for Stephanie Espy, our podcast guest, this week. This passion followed Stephanie to college, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from MIT. Upon earning her degree, Stephanie became one of the women who earned 19 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engineering, as well as one of the minority women awarded 3 percent of bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Stephanie went on to further her education by graduating from UC Berkeley with a master’s in chemical engineering and obtaining an MBA from Emory University. With a strong career path projected before her, Stephanie felt compelled to set her own course, focusing her work on making STEM subjects more relatable and engaging for kids and highlighting women role models in STEM. Stephanie started her own business in 2008 and is the Founder and CEO of MathSP. Additionally, she authored the book STEM Gems, a book for girls and young women to explore STEM careers through the stories of 44 inspiring women STEM leaders. In my conversation with Stephanie, who is recognized as the #1 LinkedIn Top Voice in Education, I asked her who were her role models growing up, how she had the courage to leave a stable industry job and start her own business, and she shares the entrepreneurship lessons she learned along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is the extraordinary Jessica Cox. Jessica is the world’s first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black belt in Taekwondo and a certified Suba diver. Born with a rare birth defect, Jessica adapted to life without arms by using her feet to support her everyday activities. In my conversation with Jessica, we talked about changing the narrative, breaking barriers, and how she is setting up aviation to be more supportive of people who have disabilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today, to launch us into season three, is Lalitya Dhavala. Lalitya, who joined me from London, is an aviation consultant working for Ascend, the consultancy arm of the aviation analytics firm Cirium, aerospace engineer, and Board member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Originally from India, Lalitya grew up in the United Arab Emirates in a passionate family about education. Following in her father’s footsteps, Lalitya decided to become an engineer at a young age. In 2013, she received her bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and obtained a Masters in Aviation Safety in 2015. In my conversation with Lalitya, she talks about her career in the middle-east, in a male-dominated field, where she felt the cultural pressures and expectations of being a working woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today, who will conclude season two of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, is Colonel Nicole Malachowski. At age 5, during a time when women were not permitted to fly for the military, Nicole knew that someday, she would fly a fighter jet. Finishing fourth in her class, Nicole graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, and was selected for the only F-15E slot allotted to her class. Nicole has served in a few operational tours and went into combat for the United States Air Force. In 2005, Nicole made history by becoming the first woman to fly for the Thunderbirds, completing 140 performances, and inspiring a generation of women aviators. In my conversation, I ask Nicole about her remarkable career and how she managed her mental health along the way. We also discuss Nicole’s physical health, especially after she was suddenly diagnosed with a tick-borne illness, which changed her life and career trajectory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison is our podcast guest today. Some of you may be familiar with Vanessa’s leadership from OBAP (the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) or her advocacy and hard work with the FAA. Vanessa grew up in Denver, Colorado, and was introduced to aviation by her mother, a Flight Attendant talent recruiter. Inspired by her mother’s ability to connect with people and her work in aviation, Vanessa started her career as a Flight Attendant. In the last 40-plus years, Vanessa has worked for United Airlines, the FAA, a Member of the Board of Trustees Foundation for the Civil Air Patrol, and the first woman and non-pilot Chairwoman of OBAP. Mentorship and connecting with people are at the core of everything Vanessa does. In this conversation, Vanessa and I talk about her bringing, work-life balance, commitment to lifting minorities and women in aviation, and plans for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, our guest is a corporate pilot, Founder and President of the Hera Aviation Group, and mommy of two, Jessica Webster. As a Massachusetts native, Jessica attended airshows with her family and admired the aircraft from afar. It wasn't until the Commander of a P-3 Orion invited Jessica to sit on the aircraft's wing with the crew that she believed aviation was a career possibility. It was a defining moment that inspired her to pursue flight. After a non-linear path to becoming a corporate pilot, Jessica found herself in a difficult situation. Because she was a new mother, she was not given the opportunity to upgrade from her First Office position to Captain, although she worked just as hard as her counterparts. This situation shocked Jessica and later motivated her to find a way to continue to fly. Jessica was also inspired to start her non-profit, Hera Aviation Group, which raises awareness of the current constraints for women and primary caregivers in aviation and advocates for change within the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining me on this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is the CEO and President of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Amy Spowart. Amy grew up in central Pennsylvania and took a non-traditional route in aviation. Her first flight experience was when she was 19 years old on a TWA flight. Although Amy had her hesitations about flying for the first time, this was a big deal back home in her hometown, where people didn’t travel much. During her twenties, Amy lived in England, and when she came back to America, she decided to enroll in College. Believing that she wasn’t a capable student, Amy found herself drawn to history, resulting in her obtaining two degrees at the same time. Her passion for acknowledging the past opened the door to aviation and launched her career at the NAHF. In our conversation, I ask Amy about her upbringing, her love for connecting with people, her 22+ year career and leadership with NAHF, and her contributions to women in aviation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is the Chief Executive Officer of The Registry of Aruba, Alexandria (Alex) Colindres. Alex had fond childhood memories of spending her summers at The Registry of Aruba, which is a company founded by her dad. Although she was surrounded by business aviation, Alex had a soaring interest in the arts. After receiving a bachelor’s in fine arts and a master’s in art management from Columbia College Chicago, Alex started her art career in Miami, working for an Art Gallery and Spinello Projects. To save up money to move out to California, in pursuit of accelerating her art career, Alex started working as the PR Manager and Civil Aviation Liaison for The Registry of Aruba. Through her work, her interest in business aviation grew and she started to earn her place in the family company. Alex is here to talk to us being a young executive leader, how she managed her business and team during covid, and how she is empowering young women in the aviation industry to pursue their dreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, our guest, Shelley Svoren, is the Founder and CEO of Infinite Branches, which connects and transforms business aviation investments. With over 30 years of experience in finance, Shelley received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in Finance, Economics, International Business, and Scandinavian Studies. Her interest in aviation came from her father, who served in the marine corp, but because she didn’t see people in aviation who looked like her, she didn’t explore the interest further. Shelley has worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Silicon Valley Bank, at Macy’s as the Financial Analyst and Budget Manager, and the First Republic Bank before starting her own company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is Guyanese American pilot Beverly Drake. In the 1970’s Beverley became one of Guyana’s first female pilots, flying both military for the Guyana Defense Force and commercial operations for Guyana Airways. By the end of the 1970s, Beverly left her country as a celebrated aviator, got married, had her first child while settling in America, and embarked on a different career track as an analyst for Goldman Sachs. Longing to return to aviation, Drake decided to work as an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). With over 30 years of experience as an aviation accident investigator, Beverly became the first and only black senior aviation accident investigator woman for the NTSB. Determined to change the status quo, Beverly has served as the Federal Women’s Program Manager for the past seven years at the NTSB. Beverly is a trailblazer nominee of Forbes 50 over 50, and an advocate for STEM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is Kimberly Perkins who is a Gulfstream 650 Captain, writer, researcher, and mother to two adorable girls. Discovering the possibility of an aviation career during a college campus tour, Kimberly was determined to earn her wings to fly. After building her flight time and finding unique ways to instruct pilots, Kimberly landed a job flying a CRJ for a US regional air carrier. When the 2008 recession hit, impacting air travel, Kimberly moved to a different continent to operate a CRJ 900 out of Lagos, Nigeria. While in Lagos, Kimberly identified a need in her new community, a lack of basic school supplies for children, which eventually inspired her to start her non-profit, Aviation for Humanity. Today, Kimberly is working her Ph.D. at the University of Washington, focusing her work on the impact of cognitive bias on aviation safety. She is here today to share her story and more about the important research she is doing in our industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carole Hopson, our guest today, is a New Jersey native who took notice of the airplanes flying above her in the sky at the young age of four. Although she admired flight because she didn't see other black women pilots, let alone pilots who wore glasses like her, Carole didn't consider an aviation career. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's in journalism from Columbia University. Carole's impressive career path includes being a journalist, working for the NFL, and serving in executive leadership positions for Foot Locker and L'Oréal. It wasn't until Carole was flying on a business trip as a passenger when the pilot invited her to the flight deck that she discovered that she, too, could be a pilot. At age 34, Carole pivoted, leaving behind her successful career, and started flight training. At an aviation conference, Carole first discovered Bessie Coleman's story of becoming the first African woman pilot, and she was inspired. She started writing a book about Bessie's life and her historical flying adventures. Today, Carole, a mother of two boys, is a first officer for United Airlines, flying the Boeing 737 aircraft and the author of, “A Pair of Wings, A Novel Inspired by Pioneer Aviatrix Bessie Coleman”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Jacobson, President of the Drone Racing League, is our guest launching us into season two, centering our conversation on the Act theme in AVIATE. A New Jersey Native, Rachel graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor's in Hotel and Business Management. Rachel spent 21 years at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where her career culminated as the Senior Vice President of Business Development. Rachel pivoted from the NBA and followed her other passion in tech by joining Landit as the Chief Business Development Officer. In April 2020, Rachel found an opportunity to bring her passion for sports and tech together by becoming the President of the Drone Racing League. Rachel joins me today to talk about all things drone racing, tech, and aviation. The DRL championship airs today at 1pm EST on NBC and Twitter. There will be a "Tournament of Champions" drone racing tournament on the Drone Racing Arcade mobile game where players can win cash prizes. Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zara Rutherford, the Youngest Woman to Fly Solo Around the World, joins me in the exclusive conversation where we discuss her historic and inspiring trip around the world. On January 20, 2022, Zara broke my record of being the youngest woman to fly solo around the world at the young age of 19, capturing the hearts of so many who followed her flight. As we launched season two of the podcast, it is important to capture this historical moment of two earth-rounder women coming together to share their experiences and journey in aviation. This conversation captures the Acknowledge theme in AVIATE, where we talk about flying, share the highlights and challenges related to a trip of this caliber, and the importance of empowering women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Wildes, our Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta, joins for a very special season one, three-part series recap. Michael stays busy. Outside of his role as Producer, Michael is the Business Editor for Flying Magazine and sits on the board of Dreams Soar. Michael is also a pilot, recently working at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a Check-Pilot. In this episode, you’ll hear how the podcast came together from its inception, and hear how we worked behind the scenes for many months. we each share the lessons we learned, challenges we encountered, and more. Michael talks about our “big fight”. Shaesta says it was just a “heated argument”. You decide. We also review the first bonus episode with Dr. Sima Samar and the Afghanistan Special we hosted. What does that have to do with Aviation? We explained this here. Finally, we discussed how we plan to support the girls in Afghanistan over the long run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Wildes, Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta returns for this second episode of a three-part season one review. This time we discuss our favorite moments of the season. Did Michael answer fully? You decide. She reveals why it was important to lead off with Mental Health and we briefly outline our plans for more. Michael shares what he learned from Ariel Tweto’s episode. Finally, we gush about Stephanie Chung. In this episode: Mental Health with Airline Pilot, Linda Berlin, Pioneers in Aviation with the Smithsonian’s Dr. Ellen Stofan, Motherhood with Retired Coast Guard Pilot, Liz Booker, Social Media Pressures with TV Personality, Ariel Tweto, Self-Advocacy with Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up, Stephanie Chung. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this final of three-part season one review series, Michael Wildes, Executive Producer for Aviate with Shaesta returns. Michael joins to talk about why he’s a “superfan” of Patty Wagstaff: hint, she’s a 3-peat legend. Shaesta shares the pressure women face to be perfect, as we review Episode 7 with Erika Armstrong. Michael wants to know if Shaesta feels pressure to be perfect. Is there a premium to being a woman in a male-dominated space? Also, we reveal and discuss why the episode with Kiah Erlich on pivoting at work resonated. Michael shares his favorite Nicole Stott quote, and finally, we gush about the support of Atlantic Aviation and Sue Sommers, who joined us to talk about community. That’s a wrap on season 1! Season 2 returns February 2022! In this episode: On Patty Wagstaff’s successes and travel; the cost of being a woman with Erika Armstrong, Pivoting with Kiah Erlich of Blue Origin, New Horizons with Retired Astronaut, Nicole Stott, Sue Sommers, VP of Marketing at Atlantic Aviation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sue Sommers, VP of Sales and Marketing for Atlantic Aviation, has over 25 years of experience in aviation. She started her career working at an FBO in customer service and has built her career impressive career over the years. Sue is a native of Louisiana and a mother. Hear how she leaned on her community to help her build her career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is Nicole Stott. Nicole grew up in Clearwater, Florida. She began her career in 1987 as a structural design engineer with Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 1988, Stott joined NASA at the Kennedy Space Center as an Operations Engineer in the Orbiter Processing Facility. In 2000, she was selected as a NASA Astronaut. In April 2006, Nicole was a crew member on the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 9 mission, where she lived and worked with a six-person crew for 18 days on the Aquarius undersea research habitat. Nicole has been to space two times now, once in 2009 as a mission specialist on STS-128 Discovery, participating in the first spacewalk of that mission; she spent over 100 days as a flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS), and returned on STS-129 Atlantis. Her second time to space was in 2011, where Nicole was a mission specialist on STS-133, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Today, Nicole (a mother) is an artist who shares her passion for space through her work. She is a co-founder of the Space for Art Foundation, and is also an author of the book Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet―And Our Mission to Protect It, which comes out on October 12. IG @astro_nicole @spaceforartfoundation https://www.backtoearthbook.com https://www.spaceforartfoundation.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiah Erlich, pilot, STEM advocate, and leader in aviation, has served in a wide variety of positions throughout her aviation career. Upon graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management business administration, Kiah worked in Airport Management for the Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona. Intrigued by the Honeywell B757 Flying Tech Lab, Kiah took a leap in faith and started working for the company for over six years, starting off in the Marketing and Product Management division. After two years, she then became the Director of GM Flight Services and, was promoted to the Senior Director of VPGM Rotation, Engines, and Power Systems. During this time, she obtained her master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In 2018, Kiah pivoted and started her career as the Head of Global Sales for Panasonic Avionics Corporation. Today, Kiah is the Director of Astronaut and NASA Sales for Blue Origin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsten Bartok Touw is the founder and managing partner at AirFinance, which specializes in structured finance, leasing, and the financing of aircraft, with emphasis on emerging markets. In addition, Kirsten is the Co-President, COO, and Director of New Vista, a special purpose acquisition company. Prior to AirFinance, she was Vice President, Strategy, Structured Finance & Corporate Development at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. Kirsten was a co-founder, board member, and CFO of XOJET, where she was part of the original core executive team that built the private jet charter company and developed its innovative business jet, outsourcing model. Before joining XOJET, Kirsten spent over 12 years in private equity, venture capital, investment banking, and capital markets. Most recently Kirsten was a partner at Alpine Investors, a San Francisco-based investment firm, where she focused on aerospace, business process outsourcing, education/training, and retail. Kirsten received a BA, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania where she was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week is Erika Armstrong. With a following of over 400,000 aviation enthusiasts, Erika is a pilot, VP of Business for Advanced Aircrew Academy, and Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2000, Armstrong released her first book, “A Chick in the Cockpit”, where she shares her life journey in becoming a pilot and the adventures she has had along the way. She is currently working on a second book, The Art of Being a Pilot, which will hit the bookshelves soon. In addition to her incredible career, Erika is a mother of two and an advocate for women in aviation. At her core, she loves aviation and is an inspiration to women. In this podcast conversation, Erika talks to me about the cost of being a woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, I have a conversation with the legendary Patty Wagstaff on the topic of travel and aviation. Patty grew up around aviation because of her father, who was a commercial airline pilot for Japan Airlines. In 1978, Patty moved from Australia to Alaska and began her flight training, earning her wings to fly. In 1984, she entered her first aerobatic competition, determined to become the first woman ever to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship. In 1991, Patty won the championship, three years in a row, making history in aviation. Wagstaff is a four-time winner of the Betty Skelton First Lady of Aerobatics Trophy and was the 1995 recipient of the National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement in Aviation. In 2004, Wagstaff was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Today, you can find Patty perform at airshows across the country or at her flight school in Florida, the Patty Wagstaff Aerobatic School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Chung, our guest today, grew up around aviation because of her father, a Master Sergent, who served in the United States Air Force. She started her aviation career young, working for a Major US Airline- in various roles like working at the ticket counter, ground handlining, loading luggage, and eventually sales. Stephanie realized her passion for sales, which led her to work in corporate sales, where her quota was $25 million, at the age of 25. Stephanie went on to work at Bombardier as Vice President of Sales of the US West Coast region. She has held several leadership positions for companies like SkyJet and FlexJet. In 2018, Stephanie became the president of JetSuite, becoming the very first African American to serve as president of a private aviation company in the United States. In August of 2020, Stephanie became the inaugural Chief Growth Officer for Wheels Up. In addition to her incredible career, Stephanie is a wife and mother. She is a breast cancer survivor and has been cancer-free for over 12 years now. She has been featured in the Oprah Daily as a boss paving the way for women in leadership positions. In this podcast episode, we have a conversation with Stephanie on the importance of self-advocacy for women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, I speak with pilot, producer, television star, and founder of a non-profit organization, Ariel Tweto. You may know Ariel from the Discovery Channel's hit, Flying Wild Alaska. Yup, that show was based on Ariel's family and their aviation business in Alaska. Ariel is from Unalakleet, Alaska. She is an avid runner and loves outdoor activities like hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and meditating. She has been a frequent guest on the Late Show with David Letterman, and currently, she stars in the IMAX movie, Into America's Wild, which premiered in early 2020. My discussion with Ariel is on the social media pressures. She talks about how she manages to stay in the moment when sharing experiences on social media, coping with negative comments, and how stays true to herself. You can find Ariel on social media at @AreilTweto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Booker is a pilot, writer for children and young adults, and mother of three. She retired from a 28-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot and foreign diplomat in 2019 to write full time. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her Commercial Fixed and Rotary Wing licenses. Liz is the host of the Aviatrix Book Club, Aviatrix Book Review podcast where she interviews authors of books featuring women in aviation, and the Aviatrix Book Review website, with over 500 books featuring women in aviation and space in all genres, for all ages. You can find her on social media @literaryaviatrix. She joins the podcast to talk about her illustrious career and motherhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics discussed include: The greatest inspiration and mentor to Ellen The importance of a pack- a community to lean on Sponsorship versus Mentorship Renovations at the Air and Space Museum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into this taboo topic as it relates to aviation. Linda and I discuss the expectations for women in aviation, social media pressures on mental health, the TV series, Mad Man, motherhood, and hear stories of people in the aviation community and mental health. Join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to being a doctor, Dr. Sima’s career path has taken her to become an educator, government official for women affairs, an advocate for women and education, a human rights activist, and above all, a beacon of hope for the Afghan people. In 2009, she was the runner-up for the Nobel Peace Prize. Hear what Dr. Sima has to say about how the US exit will impact Afghani women, the Taliban’s most recent action against education, her views on how we can support and her advice to the Afghani women. Shuhada Organization- https://shuhada.org.af Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mic check, how do you copy? This era is proving to be pivotal for women, as we are speaking up, taking action and challenging the norms and expectations that society has set forth for us. Yep, I said it, norms and expectations that have been set up for us! Take a moment and think about all of the powerful movements that are on the rise to empower women- women who are at home (shout out to the mamas), in the corporate world, Hollywood, women of color, along with women in STEM. And we cannot afford for aviation to miss this opportunity! It is time for us women to get together and surface some of the long-standing challenges we face in our beloved industry. And just to be clear, men, you are our allies. This podcast is for you too! AVIATE with Shaesta brings some of the most interesting women in aviation together- trailblazers, record-setters, mothers, adventurers, entrepreneurs- to have honest conversations about what it means to be a woman in aviation. Our podcast guests come from all over the world and they are redefining what it means to be a woman in aviation, on our terms, using our language, and sharing the expectations we have for ourselves. With our passion for flight at the forefront of every conversation, get ready to be inspired, supported, understood, and accepted for who you are and your place in aviation. It is hard to be vulnerable in aviation, let alone be heard. Let's change the narrative and AVIATE! My name is Shaesta and I hope you will join the conversation with me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices