Articles of Interest
People write things. We respond to some of what they write.
PHWL’s Inaugural Year a Resounding Success Submitted by Lucinda Lew
Women’s sports is attracting more and more sport fans and with this popularity brings large business opportunities. For us in Canada, PHWL’s inaugural year was a resounding success.
The season has wrapped on the debut year of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and all signs point to success on and off the ice. (Spoiler alert: The Walter Cup was hoisted for the first time by Minnesota.) The first year saw six franchise locations (Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto) suit up and consisted of a shortened 24 game regular season due to a late season start in January 2024.
World Neurodiversity Day June 16 Submitted by Silvia Bianchi
Next Month on June 16th WIA will be celebrating World Neurodiversity day 2024. To draw the attention to the important contribution of this community to the workplace, we present our members a short article that not only reminds us of the definition of Neurodiversity, but also how we can help make workplaces more neurodiversity-friendly.
Big Risk, Big Reward: Using a risk-based system to achieve stability, balance, and well-being. Submitted by Katy Doucette
Aerospace is a fast-paced, heavily regulated industry that offers an environment of high risk and high reward. My story in aerospace started two years ago when I transitioned from law enforcement. Moving from one high risk, high stakes industry into another, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With over 17 years of program and project experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, I was excited and a little nervous about joining a one-hundred-year-old aerospace start up.
Redefining Success: The Uncomfortable Path to a Fulfilling Career Submitted by Ana Lovera, WIA Canada Member
Once, right after starting her first job, a girl discovered she wanted to be a great leader.
To get there, she had a plan.
work on her growth strategy,
read a relevant book every month,
network with peers and key players in her industry,
take a class on communication,
hire a coach,
and many other things to grow her career and become the version of herself she dreamed of.
But there was an impediment.
Mind the Gap Submitted by Sajedah Rustom
Diversity comes in many forms, all required to work in harmony to advance the industry. Some of the themes at play include women in leadership, broad nationalities, culture, language and perspectives, STEM focus in educational institutions, progression, and professional development from top floor to shop floor.
The Power of Networking Submitted by Sabrina Gomez
In the dynamic aerospace industry, networking is a strategic tool that propels careers, fosters collaboration, and breaks barriers. For women, networking is a key driver for overcoming challenges, creating opportunities, and building a supportive community.
How Multinationals Can Help Advance LGBT Inclusion Around the World – Submitted by Silvia Bianchi
Many companies face the challenge on how to advance LGBT inclusion when it can become a conflict with local law or culture.
The authors in this article explain how it can be done after reviewing the research conducted by interviewing 30 individuals from Dow, EY, and Microsoft in a variety of countries, from Brazil to Japan to Saudi Arabia.
Commemorating a Trailblazer – Submitted by Eva Martinez
Last month, the Royal Canadian Mint released a commemorative loonie honouring Elsie MacGill – a pioneering aeronautical engineer and women’s rights activist who redefined what was possible for women in Canada. As reported by the CBC’s Emily Fagan, Elsie was:
“the first Canadian woman to graduate with a bachelor's in electrical engineering in 1927, the first woman in North America to graduate with a master's in aeronautical engineering in 1929, and the first Canadian woman to practise as an engineer in 1938. In 1929, she contracted polio. Although MacGill was told by doctors that she would never walk again, she regained mobility with the use of two canes and continued her pursuit of a career in aeronautics. She accepted the role of chief engineer at the Canadian Car and Foundry, where she designed the Maple Leaf II biplane. During the Second World War, she pioneered a new, modular construction system that allowed the factory to produce over 1,450 Hawker Hurricane aircraft — a feat that led to MacGill being celebrated in a comic book story, Queen of the Hurricanes.”
Using the Talent Crisis to Help Propel Forward the Discussion on Diversity in Aerospace – Submitted by Ginelle Johnston
Using the Talent Crisis to Help Propel Forward the Discussion on Diversity in Aerospace: With the continued effects of a post pandemic economy further exacerbated by the exit of the baby boomer generation from the workforce, we are seeing the largest talent crisis...