Saturday, March 8th, 2025
In a heartfelt celebration of International Women's Day, WestJet dedicated time to acknowledge women's important contributions in the aviation industry. The airline highlighted the journey of an extraordinary women that marked aviation. Not only did they acknowledge their success, they also recognized the challenges they faced along the way. This recognition took the form of a powerful panel discussion led by Chief People Officer Jacqui McGillivray.
The panel featured some of the leading aviation women, including Daniele Gora, WestJet's Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement. Marcela Howley, Sunwing's vice president of inflight business. Ashlee Tanner, Senior Manager of Technical Operations at Westjet. Sonia Syed, development and performance manager for Westjet Airports.
Throughout the discussion, these skilled women shared personal experiences and detailed the paths they took in their careers, the obstacles they overcame, and how they continue to go against their expectations. The panelists addressed the importance of encouraging more women to enter the aviation sector, highlighting strategies that industry experts can implement to create an environment that promotes gender equality and encourages women's success in aviation.
The important advice from the panel was directed at the young woman starting her career in aviation. Be resilient, curious and seek guidance. They emphasized that it was not just about individual outcomes, but collective action to create a supportive and powerful environment for women. The discussion highlights that achieving equality in the aviation industry requires not only personal determination but industry-wide efforts to promote systemic change.
Westjet's International Women's Day celebration is a reminder of the ongoing path to gender equality in aviation. Airlines continue to pave the way for a future in which women are not only represented but empowered at all levels of the aviation sector. Continuing dialogue and action brings the industry one step closer to a more inclusive and equal future.
“Discussions like this will help women share stories and strategies for success and create a roadmap for the next generation of female leaders,” said McGillivray, Chief Human Resources Officer at Westjet. “We are committed to breaking barriers and fostering an environment in which women can excel and empower themselves.”
