In honor of Women’s History Month, we spoke with 14 local aviation and airport leaders and asked them about their contributions to the industry, which were related to important indicators like workforce, sustainability, personal journey to success, and role models. We chose these women based on their position, market expertise, and their standing in the community. Their responses are enthusiastic, informative, and highly optimistic. If there is one common theme, it is their love of this industry. The airport’s sense of community is a big part of its attraction as a workplace, and if you’ve been to a networking event recently, you know what I mean: it feels more like a family gathering.
What I loved about reading their stories is that the common thread is that they feel that women are collaborative, thorough, inclusive, and creative. These qualities are what this industry, and every industry, needs more of to compete well into the future.
Although women remain underrepresented in the aviation industry, many have entered in the past two decades and ascended to leadership positions, especially at our local airports. Our ambitious redevelopment projects have introduced us to organizations we haven’t seen before, such as companies and leaders in construction, project management, historians, compliance agencies, concessions, trades, and so many more. The women highlighted in this issue, and many more not in the spotlight, will forever be at the core of the most ambitious multi-airport redevelopment project the U.S. has ever witnessed.
The New York Metropolitan area is no stranger to women leaders at the airports. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) is always cutting edge; Sue Baer was the first person, man or woman, to have been the Manager of three PANYNJ airports: JFK, LGA, and EWR. Sue went on to be the first woman to hold the title of PANYNJ Director of Aviation. Sue never stopped mentoring and engaging women of all ages, letting them know anything is possible. She invested her time, talent, and passion into local students, ensuring our industry would be sustainable well into the future. Sue is no longer here with us; however, anyone looking to make a difference should take a cue from her legacy.
I don’t believe in a ‘Best Kept Secret’. If you need direction, ask for it. If you know the path, take someone along; we didn’t get to where we are on our own. We need to keep the industry filled with smart, talented, and passionate people; mentoring is a wonderful way to do that.
Connect with Metropolitan Airport News for updates, local opportunities, jobs, and connections in this market. We will share what we know with you to keep this industry strong for generations to come.
Of course, I will see you around the airport, but if you see me first… say Hi!
