WAI On Air Podcast

Women in Aviation International
  • 5.0 (4)
  • AVIATION

WAI On Air Launches Podcast WAI will expand its On Air content to include podcasts. Each episode will take you behind the scenes of the aviation/aerospace world to meet the remarkable women shaping its future. From pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers, aerospace executives, and innovators, On Air celebrates the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women (and men) across every corner of the aviation industry— all aimed at empowering the next generation and honoring the pioneers who paved the way.

  1. First. Fast. Fearless - Beyond the Thunderbirds: Caroline "Blaze" Jensen | On Air S2E9

    APR 29

    First. Fast. Fearless - Beyond the Thunderbirds: Caroline "Blaze" Jensen | On Air S2E9

    Meet Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a retired fighter pilot, and veteran. She is a highly experienced leader, command pilot, instructor pilot and evaluator. During her time in the Air Force, she accumulated over 3,500 hours in Schwitzer 2-33 gliders, Cessna 172, T-37B Tweet, T-38 Talon, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. She was the first femalereserve officer to fly for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron (Thunderbirds), and was the first woman qualified to fly in the Air Force’s new jet trainer, the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk. Blaze has worked extensively with leading teams in and out of the cockpit. Her flight experience includes 1,870 hours in the F-16 (200 combat hours) and over 1,500 hours instructing in the T-38 Talon. She fondly remembers flying in the #3 Right Wing position for the Thunderbirds and her time in OPERATION IRAQIFREEDOM supporting US and allied troops on the ground. Outside the cockpit she served as a Legislative Fellow in the Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Senate office and later for a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. She led flight operations and personnel of the 64th AggressorSquadron and served as Deputy Commander for more than 300 personnel across five geographically separated units working in Space, Space and Weapons Test, Aggressor, and USAF Weapons School missions while in the Air Force.  Blaze is a mother to Finn, who has the distinction of being the first child in the U.S. to see his mother fly in an advanced jet aerobatic demonstration. She resides in Las Vegas with her dog, Gunner.  She is a dynamic motivational speaker who inspires others to be "Brilliant Under Pressure" by sharing lessons learned as an F-16 combat pilot and Thunderbird demonstration pilot.  🎧Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.  📲Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast  #WomeninAviationInternational#IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast#AviationPodcast

    29 min
  2. From Vision to a Global Aviation Network: Dr. Peggy Chabrian | On Air S2E8

    APR 15

    From Vision to a Global Aviation Network: Dr. Peggy Chabrian | On Air S2E8

    Meet Dr. Peggy Chabrian Dr. Peggy Chabrian is the founder of Women in Aviation International and retired as WAI president/CEO in September 2019. She grew the organization from its first conference attended by 150 people in 1990 to an organization representing thousands of women in all aspects of aviation today. A long-time aviation enthusiast and professional aviation educator, Peggy is a 2,800-hour commercial/instrument multi-engine pilot and flight instructor who has been flying for over 45 years. She also holds helicopter and seaplane ratings to her flight qualifications. Peggy currently enjoys flying her Cessna 150. Prior to her founding Women in Aviation International, she held several top positions in aviation education including Academic Dean and Associate Vice President of Parks College; Dean of Academic Support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus; Director of the Center of Excellence for Aviation/Space Education at ERAU's Daytona Beach campus; and Department Chair of the aviation department at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She currently owns Chabrian Aviation, a consulting business and serves as an online adjunct faculty member for Liberty University's School of Aeronautics in their PhD and Master’s degree programs. Peggy was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2024, and is also the recipient of the National Aeronautics Association’s Brewer Award for Aviation Education, the Wesley McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award, and the Henderson Trophy in 2020. She has received the FAA Administrator's Award for Excellence in Aviation Education and the Vision Award from Business and Commercial Aviation magazine. She was inducted into the Crown Circle of the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education. Available on Spofity, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    49 min

  3. APR 1

    Keeping the Brand Strong: Diana Birkett Rakow of Hawaiian Airlines | On Air S2E7

    Meet Diana Birkett Rakow of Hawaiian Airlines As chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines, Diana Birkett Rakow is responsible for the performance and advancement of the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group’s business in Hawai‘i — including Honolulu, the combined company’s second largest international hub after Seattle.   She also leads Air Group’s sustainability and venture investment strategies as a member of the company’s executive committee. Diana has been a member of Alaska Airlines’ executive committee for the last eight years, previously responsible for public affairs and sustainability, overseeing government affairs, communications, sustainability and corporate impact, community and cultural relations, sales and customer engagement in the states of Hawaiʻi and Alaska, and the Alaska Star Ventures investment arm.   Diana joined Alaska after two decades in the health care industry and government. Prior to Alaska, she was executive vice president of public affairs and marketing at Group Health, leading brand, strategy and stakeholder engagement through the company’s acquisition by Kaiser Permanente and launching the resulting, new $1.8 billion foundation. Before joining Group Health, she was health policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in Washington, D.C.   Diana holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Harvard University and master’s degrees in public health and public administration from the University of Washington. She is a board director for Hawaiian Airlines and Puget Sound Energy and serves on international councils to advance sustainability and clean energy. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    39 min

  4. MAR 18

    Leading the Fight Against Wildfires: Jennifer Draughon, President of Neptune Aviation | On Air S2E6

    Meet Jennifer Draughon, she leads a dynamic team of aerial firefighting experts as president of Neptune Aviation. She began her aviation career at Boeing, where she worked at the flight-testing field in quality assurance. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Jennifer is recognized as a leader in aerial wildland firefighting. Under her leadership, Neptune is innovating in the rapidly evolving aerial firefighting landscape, and she is transforming Neptune by cultivating a working environment of trust, by investing in cutting edge technology, and by championing operational and safety excellence. Jennifer is committed to upholding Neptune’s company values of a firm handshake, a resilient spirit, and embracing family. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Montana, a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Washington, and is CPA certified. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    31 min
  5. Answering the Call: Lynda Coffman on Leading Women in Aviation International | On Air S2E5

    MAR 4

    Answering the Call: Lynda Coffman on Leading Women in Aviation International | On Air S2E5

    Meet Lynda Coffman, CEO of Women in Aviation International (WAI).  She leads the business development and strategic direction of the 20,000-member strong nonprofit organization while partnering with the board of directors and overseeing staff and daily operations.    Prior to joining WAI in January 2024, Lynda served as vice president of United Airlines and president of United Ground Express, a wholly owned airport operating subsidiary of United Airlines. Lynda has more than 30 years of successful leadership positions at United in various roles that highlight her passion for financial management, operational oversight, strategic planning, and talent retention. She has served on multiple private company and nonprofit boards and has received several awards for her influential contributions. A strong communicator dedicated to inspiring youth in aviation and aerospace, Lynda has also held numerous leadership and sponsorship roles supporting initiatives to champion diversity.    Lynda has a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University and a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Lynda resides in Barrington, Illinois, with her husband, and they have a daughter.  🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    52 min
  6. From First Female Thunderbird Pilot to Advocate: Nicole Malachowski | On Air S2E4

    FEB 18

    From First Female Thunderbird Pilot to Advocate: Nicole Malachowski | On Air S2E4

    A 2019 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee and former Presidential appointee, Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Retired) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow, and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #FighterPilot #femalepilot

    47 min

  7. FEB 4

    WAI Podcast S2 E3 - Stephanie Chung

    Stephanie Chung is not just the #1 international best-selling author of ALLY Leadership, How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You: she's also a force of strategic innovation, a beacon of change, and a titan in the world of business growth and human capital management. With over 30 years of experience, Stephanie has cultivated a reputation for turning challenges into opportunities and transforming growing businesses into thriving hubs of success.   As a former chief growth officer for Wheels Up, Stephanie spearheaded a growth strategy that not only elevated revenues but also fostered market expansion, resulting in a significant increase in diverse membership. Prior to her tenure at Wheels Up, Stephanie blazed trails as the first African American to helm a private jet company, JetSuite. Under her visionary leadership, JetSuite evolved from a mere service provider to a symbol of luxury and excellence. Stephanie's illustrious career also includes pivotal roles at American Airlines, Flexjet, and Bombardier Aerospace, where she engineered revenue generation strategies that achieved remarkable success.   Stephanie's impact extends far beyond the boardroom - beyond her professional achievements, she is a dedicated advocate, serving on the Make-A-Wish Board and the Advisory Council for the National Business Aviation Association among others.   Her journey is a testament to the power of strategic thinking, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence. Meet Stephanie at WAI2026 in Dallas, Texas, when she closes the general session on Saturday, March 21, 10:30-11:45 a.m. with an engaging keynote presentation. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    45 min

  8. JAN 21

    WAI Podcast S2 E2 - Joan Sullivan Garrett

    Meet Joan Sullivan Garrett, founder of MedAire and a pioneer in aviation telemedicine. Working as a critical-care flight nurse in the early 1980s, Joan was regularly called into high-stakes emergency evacuations in remote regions. A life-altering mission to rescue victims of a traffic accident in rural Arizona inspired her to reimagine how medical care could be delivered in inaccessible environments. She founded MedAire from her garage, developing the first in-flight medical kits for business aviation. Today, MedAire continues to deliver innovative solutions and aviation safety and support for over 40 years. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #PHOF2026

    59 min
See All (25)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

WAI On Air Launches Podcast WAI will expand its On Air content to include podcasts. Each episode will take you behind the scenes of the aviation/aerospace world to meet the remarkable women shaping its future. From pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers, aerospace executives, and innovators, On Air celebrates the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women (and men) across every corner of the aviation industry— all aimed at empowering the next generation and honoring the pioneers who paved the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Women in Aviation International
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Women in Aviation International
  • Show Website
    WAI On Air Podcast

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