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Three days focused on professional development, education seminars, mentorship, scholarship awards, and Girls in Aviation Day Denver
March 31, 2025 — Women in Aviation International held another successful annual gathering this week at the 36th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, March 27-29, 2025. With its unique blend of world-class speakers, busy exhibit hall, an array of education sessions, and more than 90 scholarship recipients, the WAI2025 conference delivered numerous opportunities to connect and network with female peers in the aviation and aerospace industry.
"As the largest organization in the world dedicated to women in all aspects of aviation and aerospace, WAI celebrated the strength, growth, and determination of the Women in Aviation International community during this week’s annual conference," WAI CEO Lynda Coffman said, adding, “While women in aviation and aerospace continue to face significant challenges—including systemic barriers and discouraging rhetoric—our shared commitment, passion, and collective action will propel us forward." During her opening keynote address this week, Lynda called for unity, resilience, and purpose-driven action urging attendees to stay focused on the “WAI vision of a world where the sky is open to all, where aviation and aerospace dreams are possible, without barriers.”
Watch Lynda Coffman’s opening keynote address video here
During the WAI annual membership meeting, seven new board members were approved including Kandy Bernskoetter, FedEx Boeing 767 captain; Ali Faddis, Amazon Air director, global aviation operations; Dana Kirchmar, The Elevate Initiative founder; Sandra Pineau-Boddison, Intervine Inc. board chair and International Flight Services Association Foundation president; Jackie Rios, American Airlines managing director, chief of staff, strategy & planning; Julie Schell, Piedmont Airlines vice president safety and regulatory compliance; Julie Tizard, author, retired USAF, and Women Military Aviators founder and past president.
Michaela Lucas assumed the role of board chair on March 30.
Kathy Yodice and Shannon Weidekamp were re-elected for an additional term. Linda Markham, outgoing board chair, and Rhonda Larance, outgoing board member, were both recognized for their nine and six-year terms, respectively, serving the WAI board of directors.
In addition to a Male Allies panel discussion with CEO Lynda Coffman, Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president; Capt. Bart Roberts, Cirrus head of flight operations and safety; Titus Sanders, OBAP head of programs, the WAI2025 roster of speakers included:
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Emily Calandrelli – 100th woman in space following her spaceflight with Blue Origin, author, TV producer, known as The Space Gal
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Bonny Simi – Joby Aviation president of operations, JetBlue Technology Ventures founder, former TV broadcaster and Olympic athlete
Stephanie Goetz was the WAI2025 Emcee. She is an award-winning former news and sports anchor at NBC, CBS, and ABC. A modern-day Renaissance woman, Stephanie is a leadership coach, philanthropist, professional pilot, TEDx speaker, and professional singer.
A highlight of every conference is the induction of women into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Janet Harmon Bragg, one of America’s first Black female pilots after enrolling in Chicago’s Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical School in 1933; Willa Brown Chappell, who dedicated her life fighting for gender and racial equality in the military lobbying for integration of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Civilian Pilot Training Program; Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman qualified as an Air Force pilot, KC-135 pilot, and Air Force flight instructor. A woman of many firsts, Theresa helped establish the Sisters of the Skies.
Girls in Aviation Day Denver:
On Saturday, March 29, more than 250 girls along with their chaperones, were hosted by more than 100 WAI volunteers, at Girls in Aviation Day Denver. The girls, ages 8-18, visited over 30 activity stations, heard about six different aviation careers from “The Sky is Unlimited” career panel, had lunch with Jessica Cox, the world’s first armless pilot, met multiple role models, and had fun while they learned about aviation and aerospace. The older girls had the opportunity to meet with representatives about their aviation-focused programs from over 15 participants including universities, flight schools, and airline pathways. Each participant received a Girls in Aviation Day Activity Kit and earned a WAI Aviation Fun Patch.
Other conference highlights include:
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A total attendance of nearly 5,000 includes 168 international representatives from 34 countries including Nigeria, Canada, United Kingdom, Tunisia, Brazil, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Kenya, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, and others. WAI2025 attendees were 70% female and 23% male.
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This week, 93 scholarships were awarded due to the generous support of donors. Scholarship recipients were WAI members at every stage of life receiving financial support for academic use, lifestyle enhancement, and flight training, including type ratings. Since 1995, scholarship funders have awarded over $15 million to WAI members.
View videos from the WAI Annual Conference in Denver, including the opening conference video, 2025 scholarship winners, Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees, International Ambassadors program, and more on the WAI YouTube Channel, @WomeninAviationIntl.
The 37th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference will be held March 19-21, 2026, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center in (Dallas) Grapevine, Texas.
With more than 21,000 members in 133 countries, Women in Aviation International is the largest organization in the world dedicated to women in aviation and aerospace. Our nonprofit 501c3 organization relies on your support to help us further our mission. Please donate today.
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