Volunteer

Volunteer

Become a Volunteer

Join one of the 8 Elevate Aviation Wings across Canada as a volunteer! Volunteers are needed for speaking engagement, career fairs, events, and more! 

If you are interested in becoming involved in a Wing in your area please join the Facebook page or email us and let us know! If you are interested in leading a wing check below for openings.

Become a Wing Lead

Be a Leader 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 enter the industry, become a game-changer by leading an 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, led by the Ambassador, recruit a team in their province to initiate cultural change, enhance presence, and create new opportunities to help women recognize and achieve their potential within the aviation industry.

Opportunities

We are currently in the process of filling the positions in each Wing. Check out the chart below to see which locations currently have vacancies! 

Alberta
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
British Columbia
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Manitoba
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Ontario
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Quebec
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Saskatchewan
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Atlantic
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Northern Territories
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Air Force
Ambassador
Community Lead
Mentor Lead
Filled
Vacancy

How to Apply

Interested in learning more about becoming a Wing Lead? Click the link below for details. 

Meet our Wing Leads

Maegan Extross – Lead Ambassador

Maegan became interested in aviation when she joined Air Cadets at 12 years old. After 6 years, armed with a glider and private pilot’s license, she attended Seneca College for their Aviation Safety Advanced Diploma Program. She now works at NAV CANADA as a data analyst. Initially joining Elevate Aviation as the Ontario Ambassador, she now leads the program working closely with Elevate Aviation’s Senior Leadership Team, as the main point of contact for all Wing Leads. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering for other organizations close to her heart, planning trips, and trying new restaurants.

 

Ontario Wing

Emily Wood – Ontario Mentor Lead

 

Emily is an AQP Training Specialist at Air Canada. working with a team to ensure all pilots obtain training that is responsive to continuous industry change so they can achieve the highest level of individual and crew performance. Emily obtained her Master’s of Aviation Management from Griffith University where she wrote her final thesis on Human Factors in Flight Deck Automation and searched to determine if the advanced technologies within the flight deck continue to be an effective, beneficial safety tool when used in flight. Emily is passionate about giving those who want a career in aviation the resources and support they need to find success in her role as the Ontario Wing Mentor Lead. 

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 licence. 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 honoured her with a commemorative stamp. She now mentors young women and Indigenous youth in aviation and is the Air Inuit Sparrow co-ordinator that sponsor Nunavik Inuit to obtain their pilot licence.

Olivia Corriveau – Quebec Community Lead

 

Olivia decided to embark in her aviation journey in 2018 after graduating from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science. She recently completed the Airline Transport Pilot Licence program in Montreal, QC and is now building her flight time by flying her Piper Warrior and working on her Instructor Rating. Olivia loves to share her passion for aviation and would love to see more women involved in the field. Her goal is to become an airline pilot and to continue being involved with wonderful aviation organizations, including Elevate Aviation. Outside of aviation, Olivia also has a passion for sports, namely tennis, soccer, volleyball, running, and cycling!

Julie Moy – Quebec Mentor Lead

 
Julie became interested in aviation at the age of 14, when a glider pilot presented at her northern France school. She was so impressed, she decided to sign up for a discovery flight and was selected, along with 14 other teenagers, to get her glider pilot’s licence with a scholarship. At 15 years old she was able to fly alone! This started her love of aviation and her goal of becoming an airline pilot. At 22, she moved to Canada alone with two bags and a heart full of hope. Today, she is really happy to be a Canadian permanent resident and part of the Air Inuit team as a First Officer on the Dash 8. Julie joined Elevate Aviation to share her love for aviation and help others to succeed in their dreams!

Northern Wing

Amanda McGrath – Northern Ambassador

Amanda grew up in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland. They went from zero mechanical experience to graduating from Aircraft Structural Repair (2016) and Aircraft Maintenance engineering (2018) from Gander, NL. They moved to Yellowknife, NWT to begin their apprenticeship with Summit Air and is now an ACA AME. They have travelled all over the NWT and Nunavut doing field work along with various places across Canada. Even before graduating they knew they wanted to work up North and gain the true Arctic experience. On their time off they enjoy travelling, aurora borealis hunting, going to the gym and spending time with their partner and dogs. They strive to one day work with the Transportation Safety Board as an accident/incident investigator.

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 neighbouring 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 enjoy the northern lifestyle and what it has to offer; hiking, fishing, exploring, and volunteering at the NWTSPCA in her spare time. 

British Columbia Wing

Heather Meads – British Columbia Ambassador

Heather is an operations and maintenance administrator with over 30 years experience working for fixed & rotary wing air operators, flying schools, and maintenance facilities. Throughout her career she has ensured regulatory compliance in Quality Assurance, Safety Management Systems, Health & Safety, Human Resources, and financial reporting requirements. Originally from the lower mainland BC, she lives on Vancouver Island and her passion for aviation includes an interest in vintage aircraft and warbirds. Heather has joined the Elevate Aviation team to connect, support and encourage women’s roles in the aviation industry.

Lucy Allinott – British Columbia Mentor Lead

Lucy grew up in Langley, BC where her love of aviation was sparked from a young age by the Canadian Museum of Flight.  At age 12, Lucy joined 746 Lightning Hawk Royal Canadian Air Cadets and over the next seven years she obtained her glider and private pilot licenses and participated on the International Air Cadet Exchange to fly aircraft in Switzerland. Lucy studied business in aviation at the University of the Fraser Valley and enrolled in the Cadet Instructors Cadre branch of the Royal Canadian Air Force to return to the Cadet Program and become a glider flight instructor.  Lucy was encouraged by a mentor to apply to Nav Canada to become an air traffic controller. At 19, Lucy became a VFR controller and now works in the Prince George control tower. As the BC Mentor Lead, she hopes to inspire and prepare the next generation of women in aviation!

Alberta Wing

Cassandra Hepp – Alberta Ambassador

Cassandra grew up in Olds, a small agricultural town in Alberta, with three sisters. She took her Bachelor of Science at Mount Royal University before enrolling in the Aircraft Maintenance program at SAIT. After graduating, Cassandra moved to Northwest Territories and began working for Canadian North as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. She recently relocated back to Alberta with Flair Airlines and is excited to take on the role of Alberta Ambassador. She has a true passion for aviation and enjoys sharing her career as an AME to helping others find their dream careers. 

Wendy Maree – Alberta Mentor Lead

 

Wendy obtained a double degree in Business Management before traveling around the world in various jobs and launching her own consulting firm for strategic development and project management. She obtained her commercial pilots license and instructors rating and worked in places like West Africa as a Business Development Manager and Pilot, in Afghanistan working for the United Nations and Nato, and in South Africa and Mozambique flying the B737. She emigrated to Canada in 2019 and now works as an airline captain in the Atlantic region and a volunteer firefighter to her local community. She joined Elevate Aviation as a Mentor Lead to help guide women in their aviation careers. 

Hannah Mckay – Alberta Community Lead

 
Hannah started her aviation journey in 2018 as a flight attendant. She quickly fell in love with the industry and began to pursue piloting and achieved her private pilot license in 2021. Since then, she has obtained her commercial and multi engine license. Currently, Hannah is completing her instructor rating at the Edmonton Flying Club. Her goal is to continue promoting women in aviation and cultivating an environment for women to thrive in the industry. In her free time, Hannah enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding and spending time with her friends and family.

Saskatchewan Wing

Candace Pardo – Mentor Lead

Candace is a Class III flight instructor based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan at Leading Edge Aviation Ltd and has a passion for aviation! 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. 

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. On her off time, Crystalle enjoys camping, hiking and anything outdoors with her husband and two kids.

Courteney Campbell – Atlantic Mentor Lead

Courteney became interested in aviation through the air cadet program at 12 years old. She was one of few in the Atlantic region to be selected for the glider pilot scholarship and private pilot scholarship programs. This gave her a step up in her career as she could begin flight school with her night rating and commercial pilot’s license, instead of from the private license like most students. After flight school, Courteney became a flight instructor at Gander Flight Training for 2 ½ years before moving over to sister company EVAS air as a B1900D first officer where she now works conducting cargo and medevac operations. She wants to assist other women in their journey to beginning a career in aviation and provide mentorship to those who don’t know where to get started.

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 license 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.  

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 adventures with her wife and two young sons as well as playing hockey.

LCol Lydia Evéquoz – Military Mentor Co-Lead

 

LCol Lydia Evéquoz joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2003 as a Construction Engineer Officer. With postings to Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, she has supported both the RCAF and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in a variety of tactical and operation roles. LCol Evéquoz has completed two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq in addition to domestic operations. She is currently the 9 Wing Commander in Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador. In her free time, LCol Evéquoz enjoys hiking with her husband and two dogs, traveling, and scuba diving.

CWO Jean Plamondon – Military Mentor Co-Lead

 

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Jean Plamondon enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as an Armoured Crewman in 1999 and was posted to CFB Edmonton after basic training and battle school. In 2005 CWO Plamondon remustered to the Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AES Op) occupation and was posted to 14 Wing Greenwood, 405 Long Range Patrol (LRP) Squadron (Sqn). CWO Plamondon had additional postings within 14 Wg Greenwood, CFB Halifax and Ottawa. CWO Plamondon is currently the Sqn CWO at 404 LRP and Training Sqn at 14 Wg Greenwood, NS where he and his family call home.

National Ambassadors

Image of Kathleen Henderson, Airport Ambassador

Kathleen Henderson – Airport Ambassador Liason

 

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. 

Lindsay Murphy – AME Ambassador

Lindsay grew up in Winnipeg, MB and became interested in aviation when she joined Air Cadets at age 12. After 7 years in the program, she had attained her glider and private pilot’s licenses, and traveled to Hong Kong to participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange. Through her High School Vocational Training program, Lindsay took the Metals and Aerospace Program, learning how to machine metal, fabricate aircraft sheet metal parts, and weld. It was then she realized she didn’t want to be a pilot but instead work with her hands. She attended Red River College / Stevenson Aviation Training Centre, received her Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Training, and went on to become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. After working in various aviation operations, Lindsay now works as Maintenance Planner for Flair Airlines. She enjoys traveling to different places for the food and live music.