The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Women executives in aviation inspire students at Concordia University
Young women studying in a variety of fields at Concordia University are being inspired to aim high, towards leadership roles in the aviation industry.
A Concordia University conference organized by the Engineering and Computer Science Association focused on women executives working in aviation. The event brought together speakers from companies in the sector to share their career journeys in a male-dominated field.
Students, including aerospace engineering student Leah El-Ghossein, heard firsthand accounts intended to motivate them toward leadership roles in aviation. Organizers described the gathering as a way to highlight female representation and networking opportunities.
Speakers at the event held high-level positions with companies such as CAE, Bombardier, and Pratt and Whitney, spanning areas including finance, sales, and aviation. CAE’s Vice President of Finance and Tax, Josephine Scalia, emphasized showcasing diverse leadership paths and the impact of evolving technology and AI in the industry.
Conference organizers noted a growing presence of women in engineering, finance, and related fields, and suggested events like this help attendees connect and explore job opportunities. The aim was to inspire attendees to consider leadership positions and to see what is possible in aviation leadership.
Some students expressed concrete interest in pursuing leadership in aerospace; first-year aerospace engineering student Precious McCarthy said leadership in aerospace would be an honor and a goal for many, indicating the conference influenced their forward-looking aspirations.