New Member Spotlights
September 2025
Larissa Maraccini
Gahan Christenson
Accomplished regulatory attorney with nearly 20 years of experience counseling clients on the legal risks of proposed agency actions and collaborating to mitigate risks and achieve agency objectives. Successful at communicating with technical experts and producing deliverables that convey highly technical information for regulated entities, the public and the Hill. Effective at creating an environment that fosters innovation and the successful implementation of strategic plans.
Alletta Brenner
Alletta is a partner at Perkins Coie LLP who litigates and advises on product liability matters, with an emphasis on representing companies in the technology and aviation sectors.
Elena Galigny de Bonneval
Eléna Galigny de Bonneval is the 2023 Scholarship recipient from Cranfield University. Since receiving the scholarship, she has completed her studies in aerospace engineering. As of January, she is working as a thermomechanical design engineer in solid propellant engines near Bordeaux, France. She is very happy to give her time to the association that has given her so much.
Cordula Pflaum
Cordula Pflaum is an Airbus A350 and A380 Training Captain with over 30 years of experience as an airline pilot. Beyond her flight duties, she conducts trainings, workshops, and keynotes on psychological safety, exploring topics such as safety culture and the impact of effective error management in the workplace.
In her role as a leader, she addresses the challenges of working with constantly changing teams in the aviation industry. In collaboration with multiple hospitals in the DACH region and the international AO Foundation, she and her team at Human Factors Academy and C-Lab GmbH transform these skills into human factors competency trainings for the medical sector and other business units.
With over two decades of experience in peer support (Critical Incident Stress Management by the Mayday Foundation), she offers proactive solutions for companies seeking to strengthen their workforce's mental health and integrate psychological safety into their workplaces.
Her book, Guten Tag, hier spricht Ihre Kapitänin (Hello, This is Your Captain Speaking), was released in March 2024. It explores many of these topics, including her life as a pilot and the battle against prejudice.
Barbara ZyguÅa
Barbara ZyguÅa is an aviation professional with a combined background in both law and engineering. She currently works as a Regulatory Affairs & Certification Expert at Amazon Prime Air in Brussels, where she helps to shape the regulatory framework for drone delivery operations.
Her aviation journey began unexpectedly during her university years when she worked as a flight attendant, an experience that ignited her passion for the industry. Her professional career in aviation started at a UTM company in Poland, where she supported regulatory affairs. She then joined EASA's drone section, where she contributed to EU drone rulemaking and harmonization efforts across member states. Subsequently, she spent four years at Volocopter GmbH, shaping eVTOL regulatory strategies across global markets.
Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong focus on advancing regulatory frameworks for novel aviation technologies, from innovative air mobility to drone delivery, by combining her technical understanding with her regulatory expertise.
August 2025
Pia Wertheimer
Akosua Fosua Kwabeng-Mensah
Akosua Fosua Kwabeng-Mensah has worked with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority for the past 22 years. She spent five years as an Aeronautical Information Officer and the subsequent 17 years as an Air Traffic Controller. Her passion is to work professionally as part of a team to keep the skies safe.
Julia Forain
Julia Forain is a Legal Director with over 13 years of experience in aviation law, having worked for major international airlines, as well as insurance and reinsurance companies in Brazil and Latin America.
She specializes in Civil Liability and Consumer Law, handling both contentious and non-contentious claims and providing legal assistance to airlines and their insurers on a variety of aviation matters. She holds an MBA in Legal Management of Insurance and Reinsurance and has completed several specialized courses in aviation law. Julia is fluent in English and Spanish.
Victoria Geraldine Alcaraz Ortega
Victoria Alcaraz is an Air Traffic Controller and LL.M. graduate in Air and Space Law from McGill University. She draws on her experience guiding aircraft with only her voice to bridge the gap between operational reality and the legal frameworks of aviation, always grounded in clarity, integrity, and the unseen strength of leadership.
Chinyere Moneme
Chinyere Moneme is a lawyer currently enrolled in the African Aviation and Aerospace University in Abuja, Nigeria. She is passionate about aviation and interested in networking with other women in the industry.
Bruna Barrella
Bruna Barrella has extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial contracts on a global scale within the trade, energy, and aerospace sectors. Her primary focus is on contracts governed by New York law, and she is responsible for managing and mitigating legal risks across all company negotiations, including sales, services, government, and intellectual property. Her goal is to ensure that each negotiation aligns with the company's strategy and complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
In addition to her legal work, she is an official Instructor, providing training throughout the organization. She teaches new interns and lawyers, as well as contract administrators from various teams, including commercial, procurement, and services. Her training courses cover not only contracts themselves, such as indemnity and limitation of liability clauses, but also best practices for conducting negotiations.
Olivia Grother
Olivia Grother is a Staff Coordinator at Pratt & Whitney in Toulouse, France, and will soon celebrate her third anniversary with the company. She is enthusiastic about building connections and is actively participating in the IAWA community to expand her knowledge and network.
Janki Kaushal
Janki Kaushal, originally from Delhi, India, moved to the Netherlands to earn a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology. Since 2024, she has worked as an Integration Specialist in the flight simulation industry, where she brings systems together to create high-performance training solutions. Janki is driven to grow into a leadership role within the aerospace sector and is passionate about encouraging young women to pursue careers in aviation. Outside of work, she maintains a sporty lifestyle, which helps her cultivate discipline and resilience.
Josiane Nogueira
Josiane Nogueira is a Legal Analyst with a strategic focus on Legal Operations. She has experience in optimizing legal processes, integrating technology, and driving operational efficiency within legal departments.
Her skills include managing legal invoice workflows, tracking performance indicators (KPIs), legal workflow automation, compliance, and implementing Legal Tech solutions. She has a proven ability to support cross-functional teams, streamline administrative and financial operations, and contribute to digital transformation initiatives in corporate legal environments.
Aurélie André
Aurélie has more than 20 years of expertise in the Aviation and Space insurance, starting at the Paris office of a large international broker firm where she was involved in drafting the insurance policy wordings of large clients (manufacturers, airlines, airports, lessors, space launch agencies, satellites operatorsâ¦) and advised these clients on liability and insurance provisions of their commercial contracts on a day-to-day basis.
Then, she joined a major aircraft manufacturer to develop and structure the contractual policy of the group in line with its insurance programs. She was also in charge to manage insurance risk management matters of US and Canadian entities and was the dedicated support of the Services business unit of the civil aircraft division of the group in respect of insurance matters. She was part of the negotiation team of services contracts with airlines’ clients and has deep knowledge of allocation of liabilities within aviation stakeholders.
She joined LRA in 2023 as Chief legal, compliance and institutional officer. She represents LRA in the Aviation Technical Committee of the International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) and is part of the Cyber & Emerging Risks Study Group of the International Union of Aerospace Insurers (IUAI).
Aurélie is a representative of France Assureurs at the Aviation Insurance Clauses Group (AICG) in London.
JULy 2025
Isabel Carro Toro
Stella Belvisi
Shauna Maguire
Shauna is Senior Vice President in the Commercial Negotiation & Execution Team in SMBC Aviation Capital which oversees the negotiation, co-ordination and project management of the company’s leasing, trading, restructuring, financing and OEM transactions at contract stage through to delivery and closing. Since January 2024, Shauna has had responsibility for managing the Deliveries Team which oversees the delivery and redelivery of new and used aircraft to/from SMBC Aviation Capital’s airline customers. Shauna joined SMBC Aviation Capital in 2021. Prior to joining SMBC Aviation Capital, Shauna worked in the aviation team of a leading law firm in Dublin during which time Shauna spent 8 months on secondment with the Commercial Negotiation & Execution Team. Immediately prior to joining SMBC Aviation Capital, Shauna worked as an associate in the asset finance team of an international law firm in London. Shauna holds a Law degree from Trinity College Dublin, is a qualified solicitor in Ireland and England and Wales and is currently completing an MBA at Imperial College London.
Eva López Barrios
Eva López Barrios joined EADS (today Airbus Group) in 2005 in the former Defence and Security Division for the Eurofighter Typhoon Program. She started in the Finance department, where she was in charge of Pricing activities for Core Countries and Saudi Arabia Export Contracts. In 2010, she moved to the Eurofighter Typhoon Program Directorate as a program manager for the development and production contracts. There, she was responsible for the development of different batches, all Right Hand Wing (RHW) to the whole Eurofighter fleet, and the Spanish Typhoons Deliveries.
At the beginning of 2016, she left the Eurofighter Typhoon Program to join the Airbus Derivatives Program Directorate to manage the MRTT Product Policy. In July 2017, she was appointed as Head of the Airbus Derivatives Business Development and Portfolio Management department. Her role involved developing the business and defining the evolution strategy of current and future products, such as the Smart MRTT Concept. In December 2019, she moved to Munich to the Eurofighter Management Agency as Vice-president of Replacement Aircraft, where she was responsible for capturing and executing all new Eurofighters for the core countries.
In January 2023, she returned to Airbus Defence and Space as the Ho Future Combat Air System Future Business and Future Air Power transition leader. In 2025, she joined the A400M program as Ho A400M Cost of Ownership.
Before joining Airbus Group, Eva started her career in 2003 working for ACS (a civil works company) on a complex project for the airfield modification at the Spanish Air Force (SAF) Torrejón Main Operating Base, which involved both civil and military administration. During this project, she was awarded twice by the SAF for her achievements.
She holds a Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from UPM, followed by an internship at AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegacion Aerea) in 2002. Eva is married with two children, a girl and a boy, aged 17 and 14, respectively. Her interests include classic dancing, tennis, F1 and motorbike racing, classic and modern aircraft airshows, fashion, traveling, and spending her spare time with friends and family. Her secret passion is High Heels!
Marcela Maia
Marcela Maia is a 43-year-old Brazilian citizen and a proud mother to her daughter, Julia. She holds a bachelor's degree in law from Universidade Católica de Petropolis and a post-graduate degree (LLM) in Business Law from Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Marcela is fluent in both Portuguese and English and is currently studying Spanish.
She has worked in the aviation sector since 2004, beginning her career through an internship program while she was a law student. Throughout her career, she has worked in various areas of law, including contracts, real estate, litigation, and labor & employment, and has been involved in projects with increasing responsibility. Currently, she is a senior counsel who supports Aviation Commercial Engines and Services deals for Latin America.
Alicia Hackshaw
Lisa Huttlestone
Lisa Huttlestone has a vast amount of experience in the aviation industry, having been in the field since 1984. She began her career in cabin operations, training, and safety. Supported by her ability to understand and interpret regulatory requirements, her expertise extends to writing and developing training courses, quality auditing, standards assurance, and authoring operations manuals.
As the Cabin Safety Manager for one of Europe's largest airlines, she was responsible for ensuring the safe cabin operation of a fleet of over 300 Airbus aircraft across three Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Her duties included defining cabin specifications, determining policies and procedures for crew and passenger safety, risk management, ensuring regulatory compliance, conducting cabin safety investigations, and monitoring standards assurance. As a strong advocate for improving safety across the industry, she previously served as the Chair of the Cabin Crew Advisory Board of CHIRP (an independent confidential human factors incident reporting program).
In her current role as Operations Safety Risk Manager at easyJet, Lisa leads the safety risk team. With a passion for people and previous experience developing and leading high-performing teams, she is responsible for the effective and efficient safety risk management across the airline's operation, ensuring that safety remains at the core of a constantly evolving environment.
MALA MERZEAU
Mala Merzeau holds a Master’s degree in Physics and a Ph.D. in Thermal Physics. She is a strategic leader with a strong entrepreneur mindset.
She began her career 18 years ago in Future Projects Engineering at Airbus Commercial Aircraft - overseeing complex European Union funded research on New Aircraft Concepts. Since then she has held various leadership roles in Sustainability, Product & Services Strategy, Governance of Airbus Affiliates and has collaborated with diverse industry stakeholders including airlines, engine manufacturers, research establishments and business experts.
Mala has demonstrated her business acumen by leveraging Airbus product portfolio with the launch of the next generation A350 freighter!
She loves travelling the world with her family, experiencing new cultures and gourmet cuisines.
Ingrid Umutoni
Ingrid Umutoni is an Aeronautical Engineer currently serving as a Client Relations Manager at the Rwanda Civil Aviation Training & Innovation Center, which was established by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. She is passionate about capacity building and fostering development through learning, with a strong commitment to advancing the skills of aviation professionals and strengthening the sector as a whole.
Amélie Wierzbicki
Amélie Wierzbicki is a People & Workplace Security Manager at Airbus Helicopters. She approaches her role with a dynamic and curious mindset, focusing on enabling the business while safeguarding assets and people.
With over five years dedicated to security as a Project Management Officer at Capgemini Engineering (working for Airbus Helicopters), she has developed a proven track record in intricate and complex project coordination. Her diverse background, which includes experience in fleet data, commercial consulting, and public sector relations, reflects her versatile and enthusiastic nature. Amélie is always eager to tackle new challenges and build robust, people-centric security solutions.
Marion MULA CHAIGNE
Marion Mula-Chaigne is a former artistic swimmer, a background that equipped her with skills in precise choreography, endurance, and teamwork while performing for judges and large audiences.
Throughout her career, she has cultivated a deep understanding of team cohesion and communication. Her competitive background also provided her with exceptional discipline, focus, and the ability to thrive under pressure. She believes that failure is a necessary step on the path to success.
Marion is committed to continuously growing and pushing her limits, always striving for excellence. She is eager to engage, inspire, and positively influence organizations and people.
She defines herself as an explorer who loves learning by doing, experimenting with new ways of working, and thinking outside the box.
Charlotte Eldridge
Charlotte Eldridge has nearly 20 years of experience in Commercial Management within the Aviation Industry. She began her career at Rolls-Royce, where she started on their Commercial Graduate Training Program. She then moved into their Aftermarket Business, working directly with customers and suppliers, before transitioning to the Engineering & Technology department to focus on R&D.
After a short career break, Charlotte joined AirTanker Services Limited as a Commercial Manager, where she has been for the last 11 years. Through various roles, she has gained experience in all aspects of commercial management within the business, including customer and supplier relations, engineering, flight operations, contract and change management, and business development.
In February 2024, she took on her current role as Head of Commercial, where she is now responsible for all commercial management activities for the company. Charlotte enjoys leading complex commercial activities and motivating her teams to deliver successful results.
Ugochi Rejoice Ndudinachi
Ugochi Rejoice Ndudinachi is the President of Women in Aviation Nigeria and holds several key professional qualifications. She is an International Airport Professional (IAP), an ICAO AVSEC Professional Manager, and an ICAO Certified AVSEC Instructor. As an Airport Manager, she also serves as a Special Adviser on Aviation and runs Aviation clubs for her mentees.
Katherine Corich
Katherine Corich was appointed as a Non-Executive Member of the UK CAA Board in July 2019 and is the Senior Independent Director.
She serves on the Audit and Remuneration Committees. She has extensive experience in corporate governance, performance- and risk-based regulation, and aviation safety, serving on public, corporate, academic, and third-sector boards.
Katherine is currently Chair of the Sysdoc Group and IAP boards, and is a Non-Executive Director of MyWave Artificial Intelligence, the Pure Advantage Climate Change Think Tank, and New Zealand Nature Fund.
A technology entrepreneur and trained commercial pilot, she was inducted into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame in 2015 and has twice been named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Iina Rinne
Iina Rinne began her career in aviation in 2007 as a CF6 engine mechanic. In 2014, she transitioned to a buyer role, where she was primarily responsible for monitoring subcontracted repairs with vendors. Since 2021, she has focused on purchasing new and used materials for engine repairs.
Suvi Vilen
JUNE 2025
Isabel Galiana
Isabel Galiana is a climate change economist and entrepreneur dedicated to advancing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions. As the CSOO and co-founder of Future Energy Global, she plays a key role in accelerating SAF adoption by building financial ecosystems that connect investors, suppliers, and buyers. Her work supports the aviation industry's efforts to scale SAF production and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Isabel's background includes advising governments and international organizations on climate policy and publishing research on low-carbon technology transitions.
Natacha Ingabire
TJ Kell (Advocate)
TJ has over 20 years experience as an aerospace, engineering and sales professional with a demonstrated ability to assemble dynamic teams to ensure customer success. He started at AWS in 2022 to help customers modernize their IT infrastructure and create new mission capability, while reducing execution risk and identifying new revenue streams. Prior to AWS, TJ was a Senior Sales Director at a defense industrial base (DIB) original equipment manufacturer (OEM) where he led a $235M ARR channel team, leading multiple competitive campaigns and closing new and innovative long-term service agreements. He focused on helping Airline, Maintenance, Lessor and Private Equity customers receive products and services on time, creating value that kept their business models sustained through the COVD19 pandemic. TJ has served on Boards in the Education and Philanthropy domains, is a sought-after speaker on the topics of Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Maintenance and Technology enjoys guest speaking on Leadership and in International Business courses.
Shaley Brown
Shaley Brown, 21, hails from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and is a recent graduate of The University of Alabama. Following her degree, she embarked on flight training at Blue Line Aviation in Winter Haven, Florida. Shaley has since earned both her certified flight instructor license and multi-engine instructor license. She is currently building experience as a flight instructor at Blue Line Aviation with the goal of flying for the airlines.
Ellen Fontanella
Ms. Fontanella’s primary areas of practice are aircraft finance and leasing. Recent transactions include negotiation and documentation of several financing facilities including credit facilities provided by insurance companies and commercial lenders as well as facilities provided by international development financing organizations; operating leases, secured loans, export credit facilities provided by the U.S. Eximbank, BNDES, Export Credit of Canada and European Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), restructuring and bankruptcy matters on behalf of banks, financial institutions, lessors, lessees, guarantors, manufacturers, purchasers and sellers of equipment (including commercial, regional, corporate and cargo aircraft, aircraft engines and spare parts) and pre-delivery payment financings, spare parts and engine financings. Ms. Fontanella is also responsible for drafting corporate documents for the airlines as well as for drafting corporate governance and transactional documents for the airlines. Ms. Fontanella represents clients in connection with acquisition, financings and general corporate and commercial matters.
Tania Cardoso Simoes
Tania Cardoso Simoes brings extensive experience in aviation and competition law. She notably served as Chairwoman and Member of the Board at ANAC - Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil, where she led and managed the organization. Her significant roles at ANAC included National Civil Aviation Security Authority, President of the Air Transport Emergency Planning Commission, and Member of the Civil Protection National Commission. Tania also represented ANAC in numerous national and international forums, focusing on European and international aviation transport policy and legislation.
Earlier in her career, Tania held positions as a Legal Adviser in the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC). In this role, she provided support to the board and contributed to areas such as public policy evaluation, merger control, and anti-competitive behavior.
She was also a Teaching Assistant at Lisbon University School of Law, specializing in Economy, Competition, Fiscal Law, European Law, and Public Finance.
Tania holds a Law degree and a Master's degree in European Law from Lisbon University School of Law. Further solidifying her expertise, she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in EU Competition Law from King's College London and a Postgraduate degree in European Law and Economic Studies from University Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Edith Diop
Edith Mala Diop is an accomplished aviation pioneer and the first female Captain from Côte d’Ivoire, currently commanding Boeing 777 aircraft for Qatar Airways. Recognized by Forbes Africa among the "Top 50 Most Influential African Women," Edith is deeply committed to aviation advocacy and mentorship, notably as Vice President of the Côte d'Ivoire Women in Civil Aviation Association (UFACI). Passionate about mental health in aviation, she leads pilot peer support initiatives and actively contributes to advancing civil aviation in her home country through education, innovation, and leadership.
Sarah Parkhouse
Rita Simoes
Kayla Grayson
Kayla Grayson oversees and assists the daily procedures for fractional ownership programs, working closely with clients and the FAA to finalize transactions. In addition, she manages the firm's escrow team for business aviation transactions. Kayla specializes in tracking, coordinating, and filing aircraft documentation, as well as coordinating the many elements involved in corporate aircraft transactions. Her favorite aspects of the job are the high attention to detail and accuracy that are crucial for ensuring client success in these transactions.
Shweta Kumar
Dr. Shweta D. Kumar is CEO and Chief Scientist at RGBSI Aerospace and Defense, an SBA-certified Woman Owned Small Business focused on providing Artificial Intelligence, Digital Engineering, and Model-based Manufacturing solutions. Dr Kumar has nearly 20 years of experience in design, development and delivery of Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain solutions across Commercial and Defense Industries. She earned her Doctorate from George Washington University and holds U.S. automotive engineering patents through Chrysler (FCA). Dr. Kumar is a recognized authority on the significant role Small-to-Medium Manufacturers (SMM) have in rebuilding the U.S. Defense Industrial Base.
Cherie Butler
Cherie Butler brings twenty-eight years of extensive experience in aviation, encompassing both crewing and cabin crew roles. Her professional journey includes significant time as a Senior Crewing Officer and 6.5 years as Cabin Crew/Cabin Manager for both long and short-haul carriers, operating on a variety of Boeing aircraft and the MD11.
Presently, Cherie serves as the FRMS Compliance and Training Manager for easyJet, within the Department of Safety, Security & Compliance. In this role, her key focus areas are Operational Fatigue Risk Management (FRM), Compliance, and Training. She holds a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership with a distinction and a Level 3 AET Qualification.
Cherie holds a Private Pilot's License and has been actively involved in Fatigue Risk Management since its inception at easyJet in 2003.