Become a Wing Lead

Take the Lead in your Province or Territory

We are currently seeking applications for Wing Leads.

If you have a passion for aviation and want to see more women and underrepresented groups enter the industry, apply to lead the Elevate Aviation Wing in your province or territory. Elevate Aviation Wings are our teams of volunteers in each province and territory in Canada. Each Wing has three Wing Leads – an Ambassador, a Mentor Lead, and a Community Lead. Our Wings, under the leadership of the Ambassador, recruit provincial volunteers dedicated to driving cultural change, increasing visibility, and creating new opportunities. Their mission is to help women and underrepresented groups recognize and reach their potential within the aviation industry.

Application Process

Opportunities

Wing Ambassador

Under the Director of Mentorship and Volunteers, the Ambassador is responsible for leading the Provincial or Territorial Wings Team.

Ambassadors, Mentor Leads and Community Leads work together to recruit and maintain a team of volunteers in their province/territory to initiate cultural change, enhance presence, and create new opportunities to help women and underrepresented groups recognize and achieve their potential within the aviation industry.

Mentor Lead

The Mentor Lead is responsible for leading the Mentorship Program in their province or territory.

Mentor Leads assist in the recruitment of new mentors and mentees and work to pair mentors and mentees in their region when new requests come in. Often the Mentor Lead joins the Ambassador and Community Leads at events to promote the mentorship program whenever possible.

**Please note that we are in the process of developing an App for our mentorship program so this role will adapt in 2025.**

Community Lead

The Community Lead at Elevate Aviation plays a vital role in fostering relationships and engagement within the aviation community. The Community Lead implements initiatives that promote aviation careers, education, and awareness, thereby enhancing the visibility of the industry.

The Community Lead represents Elevate Aviation at events, forums, and meetings, advocating for the organization’s mission and vision. Overall, the Community Lead is instrumental in creating a vibrant aviation community that supports diversity, inclusion, and opportunities within the industry.

Benefits of Being a Wing Lead

Community Impact

Play a key role in inspiring youth to consider careers in aviation.

Leadership Skills

Develop essential skills that enhance your professional and personal growth.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with aviation professionals and like-minded individuals.

Filled and Vacant Positions

Filled Position

Vacant Position

Province
Ambassador
Mentor Lead
Community Lead

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Atlantic

Northern Territories

Air Force

Airports

* Please note that even if the positions in your area are currently filled, new opportunities are always emerging, so please apply regardless.

Meet Our Wing Leads

Alberta Wing

Avi Ghosh

Alberta Community Lead

Avi (Avishikta) works in Methods, Change Management at DeHavilland, Canada, and is a member of WIA, Canada.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from India, she moved permanently to Canada in the Fall of 2017. Avi has been working in the Aerospace industry since February 2019. As a kid, she always dreamed to be in this career as she was inspired by her grandfather who was a decorated Flying Officer in the Indian Airforce and won the Presidential Medal for his extraordinary contributions in service to the nation. She also wants to be a recreational Pilot herself someday. She wishes to join the RCAF as an AERE officer in the Reserve. When she is not working, she likes to be in nature, hiking, cycling, and swimming. She also enjoys cooking and trying out new cuisine. Presently she resides in Calgary with her husband and 3 cats.
Alberta Wing

Maryam Taherinezhad

Alberta Mentor Lead

Maryam holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary, where she specialized in the control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. 

With over a decade of experience in mechanical engineering, she has excelled in research and development across diverse industries, including avionics, robotics, and the energy sector. Maryam has led numerous innovative projects and is passionate about education and leadership, having taught engineering courses and mentored aspiring engineers. As a co-mentor lead for Alberta, she is dedicated to empowering women in aviation and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Alberta Wing

Lauryn Beeb

Alberta Mentor Lead

Lauryn, a nature enthusiast from Whitehorse, YT, is an Avionics Technician at De Havilland Canada (DHC). She grew up with four siblings, enjoying hobbies like hiking, kayaking, and snowmobiling.

Lauryn began her career with an apprenticeship to Air North, where she discovered her passion for avionics. After graduating from SAIT’s Avionics Technology program in 2019, she worked with Viking Air Ltd manufacturing the Twin Otter series 400. She later joined Longview Aviation Services (LAS) working on the CL-215T waterbomber conversions. LAS transitioned into DHC, and Lauryn took on the role of Avionics Lead/Project Ambassador for the Twin Otter Classic 300-G program. She is currently pursuing a Project Management Professional Certification to enhance her project planning skills using her avionics background.

Northern Wing

Meg Gaze

Northern Ambassador

Meg is a Flight Service Specialist with Nav Canada and works at the Inuvik airport in the Northwest Territories. 

Originally from Montreal and growing up mostly in Alberta, Meg has had a passion for aviation since she was very young. In 2016, Meg started volunteering with Elevate Aviation and finally started pursuing her lifelong dreams by getting involved in the industry. After working as a Dispatcher for the Edmonton Flying Club, Meg was finally able to start working on her Private Pilots License. However, not too soon after, Meg was accepted into Nav Canada’s FSS training program in 2019. After working in Fort Nelson, BC as a Specialist for a year, Meg moved to the remote Arctic in 2021 to start a different journey as a Flight Service Specialist. Meg is also a Mentor with Elevate Aviation, as well as for Nav Canada through the THRIVE Peer Program. Finishing her PPL is definitely still on the bucket list,  and when Meg isn’t watching over planes from the tower, you can find her wandering the beautiful Arctic land with her two dogs, and most likely a camera.

Northern Wing

Jamie MacDonald

Northern Mentor Lead

Jamie is a pilot for Buffalo Airways in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, flying the Curtiss C46 Commando. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario Jamie has a dream to one day fly the Lancaster Bomber in the neighboring city of Hamilton, inspired by her great grandfather who served as a Rear Air Gunner on the Lancaster Bomber during WW2. After graduating in March 2018 from an IATPL program in Southern Ontario, she flew a single engine commuter aircraft for a local company before moving to Yellowknife that May. She enjoys the northern lifestyle and what it has to offer; hiking, fishing, exploring, and volunteering at the NWTSPCA in her spare time.

Manitoba Wing

Rocio Bautista

Manitoba Ambassador
Rocio grew up in Mexico. Her career in aviation began in 2007, working with MROs and aircraft manufacturing companies in Mexico, the USA, and Canada.

In 2018, Rocío emigrated to Canada, where she has been actively working in Aircraft Maintenance, focusing on obtaining her AME-E License. Alongside her husband, she established DHAR AIR Inc, a workforce agency, connecting highly skilled aircraft maintenance personnel with companies. Rocío enjoys camping, mountain biking, and being outdoors with her husband and two kids. As the Manitoba Ambassador for Elevate Aviation, she is committed to bringing together, inspiring and motivating women to pursue careers in aviation.

Manitoba Wing

Laura Matheson

Manitoba Mentor Lead

Laura is a First Officer on the Dash 8 100/300 flying throughout Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. 

Laura is passionate about promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in aviation, as well as sharing her knowledge, network and experience with aspiring pilots. In addition to her roles within Elevate Aviation, she has held leadership roles with The Webster Memorial Trophy Competition, The Ninety-Nines, Inc., particularly the Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative. Outside of aviation, Laura enjoys spa days, making others laugh, art galleries and time with her beloved cat.

Quebec Wing

Melissa Haney

Quebec Ambassador

Melissa is an Inuk pilot with Air Inuit, and currently a captain on the Dash-8. She is from Inukjuak, Quebec, a small fly-in only community on the Hudson Bay. 

In 2001, she became a flight attendant with Air Inuit. Her love of aviation blossomed with seeing what the pilots were doing as she saw Nunavik from a different angle, she then decided to take the jump and get her pilot license. Finishing all her courses, she started flying the Twin Otter with Air Inuit and moved up the ranks. In 2016 she became the first female Inuk to reach captain, in 2017 the Canadian 99s honored her with a commemorative stamp. She now mentors young women and Indigenous youth in aviation and is the Air Inuit Sparrow co-ordinator that sponsors Nunavik Inuit to obtain their pilot license.

Quebec Wing

Olivia Corriveau

Quebec Community Lead
Olivia commenced her aviation journey in 2018, following her graduation from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science.

Currently serving as a first officer at a regional airline in Canada, she is deeply passionate about aviation and strives to inspire more women to participate in the field. Olivia’s objective is to motivate young individuals to explore careers in aviation, offering guidance to help them achieve their professional aspirations. Beyond her aviation pursuits, Olivia holds a keen interest in sports, particularly tennis, soccer, volleyball, running, and cycling!

Quebec Wing

Chloé Viola

Quebec Community Lead
Chloé decided to pursue a career in aviation spontaneously while considering her post-secondary options in 2018.

However, it quickly turned into one of her passions and she decided to enroll at Mount Allison University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce – Aviation. Throughout her school years, Chloé was involved in the MTA Aviation Society and worked as a dispatcher for her flight school. Now, she is working towards her instructor rating in Montreal and hoping to share her love for the industry with more women. Her goal is to give more girls the opportunities and resources for them to succeed in aviation and their careers.

Atlantic Wing

Crystalle Laamanen

Atlantic Ambassador
Crystalle graduated from Canadore College in Ontario before moving to Yellowknife to spend several years working in Northern Canada’s remote camps as a helicopter Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

She moved to Nova Scotia in 2009 and now teaches helicopter maintenance at the Nova Scotia Community College Aviation Institute. Crystalle returns to Northern Canada in the summer months, chasing forest fires as an AME. In her off time, Crystalle enjoys camping, hiking and anything outdoors with her husband and two kids.

Atlantic Wing

Becca Rosborough

Atlantic Community Lead
Becca is a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) who fell in love with aviation at the young age of 11, joined air cadets and worked toward her goals ever since.

Becca graduated from Nova Scotia Community College in 2015 and moved to New Brunswick to work as an AME, acquiring her M1 licence and filling a number of different positions including Maintenance supervisor. Becca has been volunteering with the Air Cadet Program and helping to get Post Secondary women involved in the trades for many years now. Becca is now an AME at Ocean Side Aviation Ltd in Halifax and is passionate about helping women find their footing in the aviation world.

Atlantic Wing

Kaitlyn Harvey

Atlantic Mentor Lead
Growing up Kaitlyn always loved going to the airport and watching aircraft but never really knew what opportunities existed in the aviation industry.

When she was 12, she joined the Air Cadet Program and was given many opportunities to explore different aspects of aviation. She grew up in Newfoundland and completed the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technician Program at the College of the North Atlantic, currently working as an Avionics Non-Certifying Engineer at Jazz Aviation. She recently received her AME-E licence and is working towards her AME-M2 licence. She is also a CIC Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, working with the cadet program. She has seen first hand how women are not always treated fairly in the aviation industry and hopes to be able to challenge others to make the industry welcoming and accessible for everyone. She currently lives in Nova Scotia with her cat, Bailey. When she is not working or helping with the local cadet unit, she enjoys travelling, spending time outdoors (camping, hiking, and much more), baking and decorating cakes.

Maj Jacklyn Zacher
Military Wing

Maj Jacklyn Zacher

Military Ambassador
Major Jacklyn Zacher enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2009 as an Aerospace Control Officer (AEC).

Maj Zacher was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake in 2012 following her Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) control training. After an extended posting at 4 Wg, Maj Zacher was posted to 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD) as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander. In 2022, she was posted within 1 CAD to the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) as a Senior Operations Duty Officer (SODO). Maj Zacher is passionate about promoting diversity, equity and inclusiveness. In her free time, Maj Zacher enjoys being adventurous with her wife and two young sons as well as playing hockey.

Sarah Getz
Military Wing

Sarah Getz

Military Community Lead
Starting out in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Sonar Operator, and then switching over to the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as an Avionics Systems Technician.

Sarah developed a passion early in her career for helping to shine light on issues that are unique to women in the military and women in the aviation industry. While posted to 12 Wing Shearwater, Sarah volunteered as a role model, and then became the wing lead for NSCC’s Techsploration Program. She was invited to compete with Elevate Aviation’s winning team in the 2021 Air Maintenance Competition in Ontario. Sarah consistently shares her experiences and her passion for aviation with the public as a member of the RCAF Attractions team. Outside of work, Sarah’s passions include her daughter, fur babies, and fitness.

Military Wing

Leslie Blair

Military Mentor Lead
Warrant Officer Leslie Blair enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2007 as an Aviation Systems Technician (AVN Tech).

She has worked on both the CC130 Hercules (as a Propulsion Specialist) and CH148 Cyclone (as a technician and Maintenance Controller), with deployments on both fleets. Warrant Officer Blair has a Master of Arts in Leadership, that helped fuel her passion for mentorship. In 2022, she started working with Unmanned Aerial Systems and was recently selected for the Osside Institute Professional Education Program (OIPEP). Warrant Officer Blair is the 2019 Nicola Goddard Award Laurate and was the 2021 Celebrating Excellence CDS/MND Excellence in Leadership recipient.

Saskatchewan Wing

Candace Pardo

Saskatchewan Mentor Lead

Candace is a Class III flight instructor based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan at Leading Edge Aviation Ltd. 

Coming from a non aviation background, Candace strives to make aviation accessible to others by offering instructing, volunteering at several aviation organizations and organizing opportunities to help others achieve their life long dreams of flight. In her free time she loves to fly, read, write, hike and perform piano. Candace joined Elevate Aviation to help introduce aviation to women in Saskatchewan. 

National Ambassador

Kathleen Henderson

Airport Ambassador
Kathleen Henderson has worked at airports in Winnipeg, Regina, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Edmonton, Kindersley, and Iqaluit.

She has worked for air carriers, airport authorities, territorial and federal governments as well as being an entrepreneur, business owner and consultant. Employed as the Senior Manager for Security and Environment Committees for the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) Kathleen is currently on a leave of absence from the CAC and working as the Manager of COVID-19 Response for the Government of Nunavut. Kathleen provides a voice for Elevate Aviation to share our projects, advancements and needs with key airport representatives across Canada.

Apply to Become an Ambassador, Mentor Lead, or Community Lead

Up your volunteer game and become a leader with us today! Fill out the form below to get started and we’ll connect you to your next adventure!

Name(Required)
Max. file size: 512 MB.