Resources

“Being Extraordinary at the Ordinary” Virtual Session October 18

Virtual Session: October 18th, 2024 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET Being Extraordinary at the Ordinary: Five simple ...

Girls Take Flight 2024 Saturday, September 21

Girls Take Flight at Billy Bishop Airport on Saturday, September 21, 2024. For 2024, we are making a significant and exciting change. While the majority of the discovery flights will take place on April 27 at the Oshawa Airport, Girls Take Flight as we have come to know it ‑ including the expo, speaker program, static aircraft display and a number of discovery flights ‑ will now take place at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

DAIR To Innovate 2024 – Thursday October 24

Mark your calendars for DAIR To Innovate 2024 on Thursday, October 24, in Toronto at The Bombardier Centre for Aerospace and Aviation, at Centennial College Downsview Campus. Don’t miss out on the exchanging of ideas with leading industry players, academics, government representatives, aerospace adjacent sectors, and students.

Leading Your Way Virtual Lunch and Learn Thursday, September 19

During this talk with executive and author Gaia van der Esch, as part of the Women in Aerospace Canada Lunch and Learn, we'll discuss what leadership is about, how we need to re-think what it looks and acts like to solve global challenges and create more inclusive organizations, and how women can play a key role in pushing such change forward. Join us for this inspiring and empowering discussion, which will provide you with concrete examples and tips on how you can lead change from within your company and role.

Intersections of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Submitted by Anesha Mohammed

October is a powerful month for reflecting on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in aerospace, as it aligns with Women’s History Month in Canada, Islamic Women’s History Month, and Women in STEM Month. These observances highlight the intersectional challenges faced by women—particularly Muslim women and women of color—in a historically male-dominated industry. With women representing only about 24% of the aerospace workforce and even fewer in leadership roles, the need for systemic change is evident. Celebrating the achievements of women like Roberta Bondar, Julie Payette, and Elsie MacGill is crucial, but the focus must also shift to addressing the institutional barriers that hinder greater diversity. To create a truly inclusive aerospace industry, efforts must go beyond tokenism and tackle the unique challenges that women and other underrepresented groups face.

Changing ‘What an Engineer Looks Like’ One Boardroom at a Time Submitted by Veronique Nell

The article reflects on the gender disparity in engineering, particularly in Canada, where less than 13% of licensed engineers are women. Veronique, a Mechanical Systems Engineer, shares her personal journey, expressing gratitude for the support system that encouraged her to pursue a career in STEM. Despite often being one of few women in professional settings, she emphasizes the importance of proving doubters wrong and demonstrating capability. The more women who claim their place in engineering, the easier it will be for future generations to envision themselves in the field. Veronique also highlights that while progress is slow, change is possible when women assert their presence in traditionally male-dominated spaces​.

How space technology extends beyond our universe Submitted by Silvia Bianchi

One of our esteemed 2024 WIA Canada Speakers, Shelli Brunswick, has just published an amazing article for The Forbes Technology Council. In her work, she explores how space technology extends beyond our universe to impact sustainability here on Earth significantly.

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.

Creating a Highschool Aerospace Club Submitted by Manasa Srivatsan

Inspiring Future Aviators Manasa’s story motivates other young women to pursue their dreams in aviation. Her ...

The Importance of Rest: “Why Rest is Vital for Success and Well-Being” Submitted by Sabrina Gomez Vila

Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks and deadlines is common, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. ...

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.

“Leading Our Way: How Women are Re-Defining Leadership” Submitted by Silvia Bianchi

In preparation for our WIA Canada session of the 19th of September, in August we are reading the book “Leading Our Way: How Women are Re-Defining Leadership”. In this book, Gaia van der Esch discovers what leadership can look like and how each one of us can become a catalyst for change.