Over the years, Elevate Aviation Inspire has featured incredible women who are breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible in aviation. We caught up with five of our Inspire Alumni to see where their journeys have taken them since we last celebrated their stories.
Since her Inspire feature, Cassandra has stepped into leadership as the Lead Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at Heavy Aero Maintenance Center in Edmonton. She now manages a team of engineers and apprentices working on heavy maintenance checks at Edmonton International Airport.
Cassandra continues to inspire through her deep involvement with Elevate Aviation — from speaking engagements and Girls in Aviation Day events to leading all-women maintenance teams in national competitions. In 2024, she received the Northern Lights “Rising Star” Award, while in her personal life, she married, welcomed her son on Valentine’s Day, and is now expecting her second child.
Biggest lesson: “It’s okay to be who you are and feel the way you do. Don’t change yourself to fit in.”
Advice: Be your authentic self and never let anyone dim your light.
Message to the community: To all women and underrepresented groups in aviation — keep shining and breaking barriers!
As the CEO of Chinook Helicopters, Cathy continues to lead one of Canada’s most respected flight training organizations. Cathy’s focus remains on growth — both for her business and her personal career.
Biggest lesson: “Embrace the challenges!”
Advice: Persevere and follow what makes you happy — success will follow if you remain true to yourself.
Message to the community: ‘It is not what happens, it is what you do about it.’
Since Inspire, Dassie co-founded Spectrum Navigators, an initiative dedicated to making air travel more accessible for autistic passengers. The project has launched travel prep resources, sensory kits, and is now in discussions with African airlines to integrate these supports into standard service.
Her aviation planning work with Mead & Hunt continues, and outside of aviation she placed in the Top 20 at Miss Universe Canada, relocated to Germany, and is expecting her first child in November 2025.
Biggest lesson: “Don’t be afraid to pivot — who you are now isn’t who you should be five years from now.”
Advice: Don’t waste time trying to fit into other people’s boxes. Be bold, embrace your greatness, and let the world see it.
Message to the community: See above — live unapologetically big.
Melissa has taken her aviation career to new heights. Since being featured, she has transitioned into the B737-200 Captain role, became a training captain, and began delivering simulator training. In October 2024, she was promoted to Flight Operations Manager at Air Inuit, reporting directly to the VP of Operations.
Melissa also oversees the Air Inuit Sparrow Program, which creates opportunities for Inuit to earn their pilot licenses. Though she stepped down as Elevate’s Quebec Ambassador, she continues to mentor and volunteer.
Biggest lesson: “Enjoy what you are doing.”
Advice: Don’t be shy to ask questions, make contacts, and get involved.
Message to the community: I’ve loved my time with Elevate — meeting new people keeps me energized and inspired by the next generation.
Amanda’s aviation journey has been full of twists. After Inspire, she was seconded into operations where she checked out as a Shift Manager, only to be sidelined by the pandemic. In 2021 she became AVP, Labour Relations at NAV CANADA, leading a large HR and LR team. In 2024 she stepped into her current role as VP & Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.
Biggest lesson: “Every failure provides an opportunity to learn — embrace challenges.”
Advice: Don’t wait for opportunities. Make them happen.
Message to the community: The aviation industry offers diverse career paths, each essential. Stay positive, humble, and kind.
These five women embody what Elevate Aviation Inspire is all about — growth, resilience, and the power of community. We’re thrilled to share these Inspire Alumni stories, as they remind us that no matter the path, there’s always room to soar higher.
We invite you to join us at the 2025 Elevate Aviation Inspire Gala on October 18, 2025 at 7:00 pm. For all of the exciting details, including this year’s Inspire features, we invite you to visit the event page HERE.
For too long, aviation has been a field closed off to many, especially women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, newcomers, and those from low-income or remote communities. While the industry has soared in technical advancement, it has lagged behind in diversity and inclusion. We saw the potential in people who were being left out, and we knew that had to change.
Crystalle is a helicopter Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) with nearly 28 years of experience in aviation. At the age of 19, she relocated from Ontario to Yellowknife to pursue her career and spent her early years traveling across Northern Canada as a helicopter field AME, supporting forest fire operations, wildlife management, and mineral exploration.
Sharon Cheung currently heads up the government affairs team at ALPA Canada where she advocates for safer working conditions on behalf of its 21 pilot groups.
Join us for Elevate Aviation’s 10th Anniversary Inspire Gala!
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Aurora Jet Partners Hangar at Edmonton International Airport
Don’t miss this cocktail-style fundraiser featuring light appetizers, entertainment, auctions, raffles, and networking. Celebrate and be inspired by eight trailblazing women in aviation.
