Episodes
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Meet Cat Clay Wren, a remarkable leader in the business aviation sector and the Chief Experience Officer at Business Jets in Dallas, Texas. Originating from a small town in southwest New Mexico, Cat's journey from a rural upbringing to a prominent role in aviation is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Transitioning from college basketball to business aviation, she has swiftly climbed the corporate ladder, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Cat's leadership style is characterized by its non-traditional, effective approach, focusing on servant leadership and adaptability. Beyond her professional success, Cat is deeply committed to community service, especially supporting veterans and their families. As a trailblazer and advocate for women in aviation, Cat's story is one of determination, leadership, and positive impact.
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Introduction:
Introduction of Col. Merryl Tengesdal (Retired), author of "Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me about Self-worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline."Brief overview of her unique achievement as the first and only African American woman to fly the U-2 spy plane.Background:
Merryl's upbringing in the Bronx and her early fascination with space exploration.The journey from her childhood aspirations to joining the military with the goal of becoming an astronaut.Main Discussion:
Career Challenges and Achievements:
In-depth discussion on Merryl's experiences with the U-2 "Dragon Lady."The physical and mental demands of high-altitude flights.Overcoming barriers in a predominantly male-dominated field.Overcoming Societal Expectations:
Merryl's personal battles with societal expectations and imposter syndrome.The importance of self-belief and perseverance in her success.Strategies and mindsets for overcoming similar challenges.Inspirational Insights:
Merryl's perspective on what her achievements mean for diversity and representation in military aviation.How her story serves as an inspiration for resilience and determination.Personal Passions and Influences:
Discussion on her love for "Star Trek" and "Golden Girls."The impact of childhood mentors on her life and career.Conclusion:
Reflecting on Merryl Tengesdal's journey as a source of inspiration for the new year.Final thoughts and takeaways from the conversation.Additional Notes:
Purchase "Shatter the Sky."The Motivation LabInformation on upcoming events or talks featuring Col. Merryl Tengesdal. -
Missing episodes?
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In this episode of the 'AVIATE with Shaesta' podcast, we're joined by Emily Deaton, an influential leader in the aviation industry. Born and raised on Florida's Space Coast, Emily shares stories from her childhood, describing her childhood memories as a 'river rat' kid amidst rocket launches. She delves into her academic journey, highlighting her shift from an aspiring sports agent to a PR expert at the University of Florida.
Emily candidly discusses her diverse career trajectory, starting in the hospitality sector and transitioning to business aviation with Embraer Executive Jets. Her passion for embracing challenges shines through as she recounts her progression from sales to leadership roles, culminating in her current position as CEO of jetAVIAVA.
Throughout the conversation, Emily offers invaluable insights on women's leadership in aviation, balancing family and career, and maintaining enthusiasm in a dynamic industry. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership, encouraging listeners to bring their whole selves to work.
Join us for this motivating episode as Emily Deaton shares her journey, lessons learned, and the joys of working in the fascinating world of aviation.
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About Julia Harrington:
Lead Captain and Base Manager at Axis Jet in Chicago.Known for her pioneering role as a woman in the aviation industry.Balances her professional career with motherhood.Early Interests and Influences:
Julia shares her initial fascination with Business Aviation.Recounts her experiences at the EAA AirVenture, sparking her interest in aviation.Discusses family influences and early role models in her life.Educational Journey:
Details her educational path at the University of Illinois.Talks about earning her wings and the challenges she faced during her training.Reflects on the importance of education in her career.Professional Career:
Julia’s journey to becoming Lead Captain and Base Manager.Insights into her day-to-day responsibilities and experiences at Axis Jet.Discusses significant milestones and memorable moments in her career.Women in Aviation:
Julia's perspective on the evolving role of women in the aviation sector.Challenges faced by women in a traditionally male-dominated field.Advice for young women aspiring to enter the aviation industry.Balancing Career and Motherhood:
Julia shares her experience of balancing a demanding career with being a mother.Discusses the support systems that have helped her manage both roles.Offers advice to other women who aspire to grow their families while pursuing their careers.Future Aspirations:
Julia’s goals for the future in both her professional and personal life.Her vision for the future of women in aviation. -
This week on the "AVIATE with Shaetsa" podcast, Jenny Showalter delved into her family's aviation legacy and career trajectory. She reminisced about growing up in Orlando, the origins of Showalter Flying Service, and the family's deep connection to the Orlando Executive Airport. Jenny shared fond childhood memories, discussed the emotional sale of the family business in 2015, and reflected on her subsequent roles, including her leadership in the Florida Aviation Business Association. Despite not becoming a pilot herself, Jenny's passion for aviation shines through her extensive community work and her current venture, Showalter Business Aviation Career Coaching, where she supports aviation professionals in their career development.
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This week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, I speak to Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Assistant Director of Space Policy for the White House. With her incredible career in aerospace, I asked Ezinne specific questions around the AVIATE (Acknowledge, Vocalize, Inclusion, Act, and Evolve) theme.
From humble beginnings in Nigeria, where she sought solutions to everyday problems, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro has charted an extraordinary path. Her journey, marked by curiosity and resilience, led her from aspirations of being an inventor to the forefront of space exploration and policy-making. With a career that began at NASA in 2004, Ezinne has accumulated extensive expertise in space engineering systems and management. Her academic accomplishments are equally impressive, with three master's degrees and a historic doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT, making her the first and only Black woman to achieve this feat.
In her current role as the assistant director of space policy in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy, Uzo-Okoro is instrumental in shaping the nation's space priorities. Her days are filled with tackling challenges ranging from space debris to Earth’s climate monitoring, reflecting a diverse and impactful portfolio.
Uzo-Okoro's vision extends beyond practical solutions; she envisions a future where space technology plays a critical role in advancing society and the global economy. Her dedication and pioneering spirit have not only led to significant contributions in the field of space exploration but also positioned her as a role model, inspiring others to pursue their dreams relentlessly.
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Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower.
As many of us are familiar, adversity is a universal and inevitable part of life that most of us face through challenges like illness, loss, financial hardship, and the growing pains of life. Adversity is non-discriminatory, affecting all individuals regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. No person is immune from it. While adversity introduces difficulties, it also plays a crucial role in personal growth and grit. Within society, we have witnessed how adversity drives innovation, strengthens community bonds, and enhances empathy.
In the face of adversity, the history of women in aviation is a testament to resilience. Since the early days of flight, women like Élisabeth Thible, who flew in a hot air balloon in 1784, and Aida de Acosta, who in 1903 became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft, have been relentlessly reaching for the skies. The early 20th century saw women like Emma Lilian Todd designing successful airplanes and Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick performing parachute jumps, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible for women at the time. Even with these successes, these pioneering women were often not considered serious aviators or contributors to the field.
Despite their early involvement, women were also often restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry before 1970. Nonetheless, they were breaking records and competing in air races against men within the first two decades of powered flight. During World War II, while most female pilots were restricted from military flight, many served in auxiliary services and support roles. As time progressed, women continued to make progress, often in the background contributing greatly to our industry, with limited resources and a lack of community in their workplace.
The modern landscape for women in aviation is certainly improving with several organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting women in the workforce, however, the data still reflects a significant gender gap. We learned from the FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board report how women make up less than 20% of the aviation workforce, with even lower representation in pilot and maintenance roles. As of 2022, women account for just 9.57% of all pilots. When we exclude student licenses, the figure drops to 6.34% for non-student female pilots. The five-year trend leading up to 2022 does show growth in the number of female pilots, but the percentage increase is modest, sometimes being referred to a flatline growth.
Reflecting on the importance of gender equality in our industry and thinking about the conversations I have had with women in the industry, I've come to believe that a significant way to better support women is by actively listening to their stories, specifically on adversity. Hearing how they've transformed challenges, failures, and difficult moments into avenues for growth not only fosters equality but also empowers the next generation, who sometimes feel the pressure to be perfect. These storied provides practical guidance and perspective on resilience and perseverance, illustrating how to rise above obstacles and advance with determination. On a personal note, when I talk about adversity during keynote presentations, I find it to be healing as I share these experiences with others.
With this, we invited Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, and Author, to be our podcast guest this week and asked her to share her story.
Kodey Bogart's career journey exemplifies the enduring spirit of women in aviation, demonstrating how resilience can turn adversity into triumph. Raised in Michigan with a love for the outdoors, art, and nature, Kodey faced an unfortunate challenge in her childhood that set her on a path of service rather than setbacks. She enlisted in the military after high school, where she discovered her passion for flight. As an Army Warrant Officer and Aviator, she was recognized with two Air Medals and a Sikorsky Rescue Award for her service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Post-military, Kodey's aviation career continued as she flew over 2,500 hours of accident-free flight time, serving in air ambulance and aviation law enforcement roles. Her commitment to lifelong learning earned her a Master's in Aviation Safety from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, specializing in Helicopter Safety. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Aviation with an emphasis on Safety and teaching part-time as an Adjunct Professor at FIT, Kodey balances her academic pursuits with motherhood, community engagement and authoring a series of books to educate and inspire the youth.
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In 2018, I was invited to be a speaker at a conference in the Midwest. Before I got on the stage to present my keynote, the session before me was talking about a new concept that I remember briefly hearing about as a student at Embry-Riddle, Advance Air Mobility (AAM). The speaker mentioned how AAM is the future of aviation, and that it will revolutionize air travel as we know it.
AAM is known as the development, integration, and utilization of new airborne transportation systems, typically involving electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, drones, and other innovative aerial vehicles. These systems are designed to operate in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Since that conference in 2018, so many developments have transpired in this sector.
Key Features of the AAM sectors include;
eVTOLs: These are aircraft that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but transition to forward flight like a plane, predominantly powered by electric propulsion.Urban Air Mobility (UAM): A subset of AAM focusing on urban environments. UAM seeks to alleviate ground traffic congestion by taking advantage of the airspace above cities.Decentralized Infrastructure: Instead of large central airports, AAM emphasizes smaller vertiports or landing pads scattered throughout urban and suburban areas.Autonomous Operations: While initial operations may have human pilots, the goal for many AAM solutions is to eventually operate autonomously, which will require advanced autonomous flight systems and robust air traffic management solutions.The AAM sector on a global scale was valued at $8.2 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20% by 2032 with a valuation to reach about $68.1 billion. Furthermore, investments in AAM have reached $4.8 billion in 2021, with new innovative companies launching each year in pursuit of the next successful eVTOL to hit the market. Specifically, there are over 200 companies globally in the race to develop eVTOL aircraft. The primary driver in the AAM sector is the Urban Air Mobility market which is projected to rise from 3.8 billion to 38.5 billion by 2030.
In terms of women in this sector, McKinsey & Company shared on its blog this year how women are advancing in Future Air Mobility (FAM). Here are a few key points the blog shared.
Sustainable aviation saw the biggest improvement in gender diversity, with the number of women and nonbinary people increasing from 13 percent to 18 percent.Other segments, including manned advanced air mobility/eVTOL vehicles and small drones, showed smaller gains.Companies that develop supersonic and hypersonic technology regressed, with the number of women and nonbinary people falling from 23 percent to 20 percent, although the small sample size means that the departure of a few senior leaders could sway the numbers in a meaningful way.Among regions, North America has the most diverse leadership teams in both gender (20 percent female or nonbinary) and ethnic diversity—defined as the non-majority group in a company’s home country (18 percent).Technical roles have seen the biggest increase in diversity for both genders (going from 5 percent to 14 percent female or nonbinary) and people from ethnic minorities (going from 12 percent to 16 percent).Despite this progress, women and nonbinary people remain significantly underrepresented in technical roles at FAM companies, as they are in many other industries.Our special guest who will launch us into season five of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is Elan Head, a familiar voice in AAM. Elan is an award-winning journalist specializing in aviation and technology. Head currently serves as the Senior Editor at The Air Current and continues to be a respected journalist in the industry covering several developments and breaking news in AAM. Elan is a Commercial Helicopter Pilot and an FAA Gold Seal flight instructor with helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings. Elan joins us to share her unexpected start in aviation and how she turned her passion for flight and journalism into a career that she truly enjoys.
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Born with an innate curiosity and a passion for making a difference, Joan Sullivan Garrett embarked on her professional journey with a clear mission: to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals traveling far from home. As a 1979 graduate of the Mesa Community College nursing program, and her extensive background in healthcare and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by travelers, Joan recognized the need for specialized medical assistance and support in remote locations.
In 1985, Joan established MedAire, a groundbreaking organization that provides comprehensive medical and travel safety services. Under her visionary guidance, MedAire quickly became a trailblazer in the field, setting new standards for medical support, emergency response, and crisis management in the aviation and maritime industries. Joan has been featured on TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and BBC, among other notable networks, for her extraordinary work and contribution to the medical field.
In our conversation, Joan talks about her childhood and the inspiration that launched MedAire. She also shares her entrepreneurship journey and the lessons learned in pursuit of turning her passion for saving people into a global business. Garrett also shares how she managed motherhood, her well-being, and her motivation to keep building her business and impacting the lives of millions of people.
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When I launched the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, it was a priority to find women in government who could talk about their career journey and their impact on the industry. In my research, I came across the first female to serve as the FAA Acting Administrator, Linda Hall Daschle. Recently, a very kind and supportive aviation leader introduced me to Linda, and I am so grateful to him.
Linda, a Kansas native, is a prominent public policy and government affairs figure. Daschle has served as a senior executive at several leading organizations and was actively involved in their government relations strategies. After 20 years of actively working in the aviation industry, Linda was nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Deputy Administrator to the FAA. Daschle became the first woman to serve as the FAA Acting Administrator three years later. In addition to her work in government affairs, Linda is also a sought-after speaker and has participated in numerous conferences and forums, sharing her insights and expertise on various policy issues. She is known for her ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and compellingly, making her a respected voice in the policy arena.
Linda, welcome!
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Mental health in aviation is a critical issue affecting pilots and the entire aviation ecosystem. The high-pressure environment, long hours, irregular schedules, and extended periods away from home can cause significant stress on pilots, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout.
There is limited research on mental health issues among pilots, but studies suggest that pilots may be at higher risk than the general population. Here are some statistics based on available research:
A survey of 1,848 commercial pilots in 2015 found that 4.1% of respondents reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous two weeks, compared to 3.7% of adults in the general population.
The same survey found that 12.6% of pilots reported experiencing symptoms of depression, compared to 7.1% of adults in the general population.
A 2017 study of 2,500 pilots in the United States found that 29% of respondents had experienced symptoms of depression within the previous two weeks, and 4.1% had experienced suicidal thoughts within the last two weeks.
The same study found that 12.6% of respondents had been diagnosed with depression at some point, and 4.1% had been diagnosed with a personality disorder.
It's important to note that these statistics are based on self-reported data and may not reflect the full extent of mental health issues among pilots.
The industry has traditionally taken a reactive approach to mental health, addressing it only after an incident or accident. However, we do see improvements with airlines and aviation regulatory bodies implementing more proactive measures to prevent and manage mental health issues among pilots.
One such measure is the implementation of peer-support programs that allow pilots to confidentially share their concerns with other pilots who have undergone similar experiences. Additionally, airlines provide mental health resources and training to pilots, including access to mental health professionals and stress management techniques.
The FAA has also implemented regulations that require pilots to disclose their mental health status to their employers and undergo regular mental health assessments. These regulations aim to detect and manage mental health issues early and prevent them from escalating into more severe problems. But as pilots know, losing your medical can cost you a great deal of time, money, resources, and sometimes your job.
"Pilots believe that being vulnerable, and sharing feelings or struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, would be at best humiliating or embarrassing, and, at worst, the end of their flying career."
Reyne O'Shaughnessy, a retired airline pilot and author of "This Is Your Captain Speaking," shared in a recent interview. Captain Reyne was featured on an AVIATE roundtable last year, focusing on mental health in aviation.
Each season, I intentionally dedicate an episode to discussing mental health in aviation. When I read about Tammy Jo Shults, a retired Navy fighter pilot and commercial airline pilot who grew up on a ranch in Texas, I immediately knew she would be an influential guest on this podcast. When I further learned Tammie Jo's story and how she gained national recognition for safely landing Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 after an engine failure in April 2018, I invited her to share her story and anchor our conversation around mental health.
Shults was one of the first female fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy and flew the F/A-18 Hornet in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm. She later became a commercial airline pilot and joined Southwest Airlines in 1993, where she continued to fly until her retirement in 2020. Shults' skill and composure during the emergency landing of Flight 1380 were widely praised and credited with saving the lives of the passengers and crew on board.
Tammie Jo, welcome!
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A powerful statement on the UN Women website read, "A single moment can spark a revolution, collective actions can transform laws, creative expression can change attitudes, and an invention can alter the course of history. It's these threads that weave together to propel the women's movement — even in the face of obstacles."
The history of women in government and policy is a long and complex one, marked by struggles for equality, representation, and recognition. From the early pioneers who fought for suffrage to the trailblazing women who shattered glass ceilings in politics, women have played an essential role in shaping government and policy in the United States.
In 1848, the First Women's Rights Convention occurred in Seneca Falls, New York, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Both women gathered hundreds of people and demanded civil, social, political, and religious rights for women in a Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.
On March 8, 1911, the first International Women's Day was marked by more than one million people across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland gathered for women's suffrage and labor rights.
Fast forward to 1946, in the inaugural session of the UN General Assembly, Eleanor Roosevelt read an "open letter to the women of the world," sharing the importance of women's involvement in national and international affairs.
For aviation history, from 1997 to 2022, Jane Garvey became the first female Administrator of the FAA under the Clinton Administration. Garvey was the daughter of an Air Force colonel who worked as the Airport Director for Boston's Logan International Airport in the early 1990s and then served as the first Deputy Administrator for the US Federal Highway Administration for four years. Her successor was Marion Blakey, who became the 15th Administrator of the FAA.
The history of women in transportation, policy, and the government is inspiring. Still, with only 28% of women in Congress, 30% of statewide elective executive offices led or co-led by women, and 31% of seats in state legislation held by women, we have a long way to go. We need more women in government and policy roles to help grow society, especially in aviation.
Here are a few reasons why women should consider a career in government:
Representation: Women are underrepresented in government and policy positions, so having more women in these roles is essential to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table.
Influence: Women in government and policy can significantly impact the policies and decisions that affect the lives of women and girls. They can advocate for policies that promote gender equality, address issues such as the gender pay gap, and improve women's access to healthcare and education.
Leadership: By pursuing careers in government and policy, women can become leaders and role models for other women and girls. They can demonstrate that women have the skills and expertise to lead and make a difference in society.
Networking: Working in government and policy can allow women to network with other influential leaders, build relationships, and gain valuable experience and skills.
Progress: Finally, women in government and policy can help drive improvement and create positive change in society. By working to promote policies that support gender equality, combat discrimination, and advance human rights, women can help make a more just and equitable world for everyone.
Overall, women should consider careers in government and policy because it is a path to leadership, impact, and progress and can help increase representation and diversity in decision-making roles.
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Joining us on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast this week is Rucsandra Magdalena Mihai, Founder and Managing Partner at Train Aviation in Romania. Rucsandra also serves as the Vice President of Women in Corporate Aviation. Mahai has over 30 years of experience working as a Corporate Flight Attendant, flying predominately in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Her company offers Silver Service for Corporate flight attendant training, EASA Cabin Crew training, and more.
In our conversation, Rucsandra offers her international perspective on the flight attendant sector. She shares the biggest misconception about flight attendants, key takeaways from starting her own business, and her thoughts on the increasing episodes and assaults on flight attendants in commercial aviation.
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"Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on."
Our guest this week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is Laura Heltebran. Laura received a Bachelor and Doctor of Law from George Mason University. She serves as a C-suit executive- the Chief Legal Officer at Wheels Up. During her free time, Laura takes flight lessons and works towards her Private Pilot License. Heltebran has worked and represented Fortune 500 companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Time Warner, Xerox, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Hilton Worldwide. With her remarkable career, Laura offers her professional perspective on the power of a woman's voice.
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According to We Are Tech Women, role models can be a vital influence on anyone's career, providing guidance, support, advice, and much more. This is especially true for women in technology, where it can be hard to establish yourself.
This encouraged us to find an inspiring young woman who is paving her path in aviation and Tech. Our guest this week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is Angelina Tsboui.
Angelina has been solving problems through her passion for computer coding and building apps since she was seven years old. By the 11th grade, Tsboui had created a few resourceful apps, like an app for the Apple Watch that guides users through CPR and Lilac, where non-English speaking parents can access childcare and housing resources, and finally, the app called Pilot Fast Track. Pilot Fast Track helps you find customized flight scholarships, explore opportunities in aviation, and discover resources to help fund your aviation endeavors.
Welcome, Angelina.
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Our guest this week is Madelyne Paulk, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Jet It. I recently met Madelyne at an aviation conference, and I was drawn to how genuine, professional, and personable she is. Moments after speaking with her, I immediately knew she would be a great guest to feature on this podcast, and her perspective on diversity and inclusion would be valuable to the audience. Madelyne had some reservations initially because she was new to aviation, which was precisely why her story was important to share with you.
Madelyne started her career in aviation with Jet It in 2020 after completing her master's degree program. With little knowledge of the industry, she took a chance and started as a Marketing Intern. Since then, Madelyne has worked her way up to Marketing Manager, where she is able to lead and guide marketing efforts to build brand awareness. Passionate about service and DE&I, Madelyne volunteers with the RedTail Flight Academy helping them plan their inaugural graduation ceremony and consulting on their marketing efforts. Outside of aviation, she also sits on the Lowcountry Advisory Board for Multiplying Good, a national nonprofit focused on elevating public service and empowering the next generation of servant leaders.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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