Get Involved

Join the Elevate Aviation team as a volunteer today!

Our passionate teams of volunteers are essential to the national success of our programs.

Our volunteers are the heart of our mission to inspire and empower individuals in the aviation industry. Whether you’re passionate about community service or eager to explore aviation opportunities, there’s a place for you with us.
Who Can Volunteer

If you have a passion for aviation and a desire to serve the community, we invite you to volunteer with us! We welcome individuals from all walks of life—whether you’re a student eager to gain experience, a professional interested in giving back, or a retiree looking to stay active, we would love to have you on our team.

Opportunities

As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to impactful projects, gain valuable experience, and connect with like-minded aviation enthusiasts. Elevate Aviation volunteer opportunities could include activities such as helping at the annual Inspire gala or Cross Country Tour, becoming a mentor, or attending airshows, career fairs, and community events to share opportunities in aviation.

Whether you have a background in aviation or just a passion for helping others, we have a place for you. Together, we can soar to new heights.

Benefits of Volunteering

Growth

Enhance your skills and acquire valuable experience.

Networking

Build connections with aviation professionals and fellow volunteers.

Impact

Positively influence the lives of young people and future aviators.

Recognition

Receive certificates of appreciation and references to strengthen your resume.

All Elevate Aviation volunteers are assigned to their local Wing, where they will participate in events and activities when they arise. 

Elevate Aviation Wings are located in each province and territory in Canada, run by volunteer leads who carry out activities in their regions through mentorship and at community events.

Each Wing has an Ambassador, Community Lead, Mentor Lead and a team of volunteers just like you! 

If you’re ready to take your volunteering to the next level, explore our Wings page to become one of our Wing Leads!

Fill Out the Form to Learn More
and Become a Volunteer!

Ready to make a difference? Apply to Volunteer today!
Join us in inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts!

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Meet Our Volunteer Management Team

Sophia Wells

Director, Mentorship and Volunteers
A long time volunteer, turned full-time Senior Leadership Team member of Elevate Aviation, Sophia is responsible for managing the Mentorship, Wings, and Volunteer Recognition programs across the country.

Sophia is a pilot and was the chief flight instructor at the Edmonton Flying Club from 2012-2023. She holds an airline transport pilot’s license and serves as a Transport Canada pilot examiner. She continues to instruct multi IFR and Instructor candidates as well as flies the Citation 560 and Navajo for Morgan Construction. She gets to share her life-long passion for aviation through Elevate Aviation by inspiring and mentoring women new to the industry. Sophia sits on the board of directors for the Alberta Aviation Council and previously on the Alberta Aviation Museum. Her contributions to aviation were recognized in 2018 as a Top 20 under 40 recipient for Wings Magazine, in 2019 with the Outstanding Alumni Award from Mount Royal University, and in 2022 with the COPA Appreciation Award. When she is not in the sky she enjoys spending her time with her family. 

Maegan Extross

Wing Program Coordinator
As the Wings Program Coordinator, Maegan is responsible for recruiting and onboarding Wing Leads, and serving as their primary point of contact for support. She also focuses on the continuous improvement of the program through ongoing feedback sessions.

Maegan earned her Glider Pilot’s License and Private Pilot’s Licenses through the Air Cadet program, before graduating as a Warrant Officer Second Class in 2015. She attended the Aviation Safety Advanced Diploma Program at Seneca College, where she became the President of the Seneca Aviation Association in her first year and established a very successful annual networking event that brings together members of the industry and students. Maegan was chosen to be the Valedictorian of her class and graduated with Honours. She completed a co-op term with NAV CANADA, where she was hired full-time after her graduation in 2018. She works as a Research Analyst, providing traffic and safety analysis to support informed decision-making. Maegan was a recipient of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation’s Elsie McGill Rising Star Award in 2021. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering for other organizations close to her heart, planning trips, and trying new restaurants.

Sushant Kumar

Volunteer Recognition Program Coordinator
As the Volunteer Recognition Program Coordinator, Sushant is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives that ensure our volunteers feel valued, appreciated, and engaged in their contributions to Elevate Aviation.

Sushant is an accomplished legal and human resources professional with extensive experience in law, volunteer coordination, and human resources. With a robust background in advocacy and a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sushant has dedicated his career to driving social change and promoting equal opportunities. Throughout his legal career in India, Sushant collaborated with various women’s empowerment organizations to spread awareness and champion gender equity. He has demonstrated his leadership capabilities by managing 3,000 volunteers as a Coordinator for the 2023 World Police and Fire Games held in Winnipeg. His exceptional organizational skills and ability to cultivate professional alliances have been instrumental in the successful execution of large-scale events and projects.

Ilianna Thasitis

Mentorship Program Coordinator
As the Mentorship Program Coordinator, Ilianna plays a crucial role in driving the success and impact of the Mentorship program, currently responsible for the development of Elevate Aviation’s exciting new mentorship app.

When Ilianna first developed an interest in aviation, she dreamt of becoming a pilot. However, at that point in her life, she felt as though that dream was out of reach. After making accomplishments in other areas of life, such as graduating from MacEwan University, Ilianna developed the confidence she needed to pursue her goal of becoming a pilot. She is currently a student pilot at the Edmonton Flying Club, instructed by our very own Hannah McKay. Learning to fly has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences she has gone through. Ilianna is currently working on her Private Pilot’s License and plans to continue to her CPL, Multi-Engine, and IFR ratings. Ilianna enjoys cooking, staying active, and spending time with friends and family.

Volunteer of the Month

At Elevate Aviation, we are committed to celebrating the dedication and impact of our volunteers. The Volunteer of the Month program recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in their roles, making a significant contribution to our mission. Each month, we honour a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, teamwork, and positive influence within our community. Awardees receive a special gift, a personalized certificate, and a feature on our website and social media, with all nominees automatically considered for the Volunteer of the Year award.

Nomination Process

Simply fill out the nomination form linked below with the nominee’s name, your reason for nominating them (specific examples are encouraged), and your name.