New Members

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.

MAY 2025

Natasha Mann

Anoushka Sadhu

Barry Flannery (Advocate)

Barry began his career as a chartered accountant with Coopers and Lybrand in Dublin and the Cayman Islands. He joined the company that became SMBC Aviation Capital in 1997 and initially had responsibility for Airline Marketing in Asia and Business and Risk Management. He was promoted to Head of Structured Solutions in 2003 with responsibility for capital markets activities including financing, distribution and tax based structures. He was appointed to the board of directors in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer in 2007. Barry assumed his current position as Chief Commercial Officer in July 2021, with responsibility for origination and execution of all commercial relationships and transactions with airlines, aircraft investors, portfolio risk management and OEMs. Barry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from Trinity College Dublin and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Katharina Werdin

Katharina Werdin has spent 20 years working in aviation, all with Airbus. She has lived and worked in three different countries (Germany, France, China), mainly in Supply Chain Operations, Aircraft Definition, and New Development. A Project Management Professional, Katharina is now a Senior Manager in Airbus Customer Services with a passion for people, positivity, and persistence.

LYNDA COFFMAN

Lynda Coffman is the current CEO of Women in Aviation International (WAI). Before joining WAI, she dedicated over 30 years to United Airlines, where she retired as an officer and President of United Ground Express. Throughout her career at United, Lynda was a strong advocate for women, serving on the airline's Executive Diversity Council and as Executive Sponsor for uImpact, United's Women's Business Resource Group. Leading WAI is a natural extension of her lifelong mission to support women in aviation.

YARA TOAIMAH

Yara Toaimah is an accomplished Aerospace Engineer with an MSc in Aviation and Aerospace Management. Currently, she serves as a Business Growth Specialist at Victor, where she is also spearheading efforts to establish the Women In Aerospace Middle East Chapter. Passionate about Astronautics & Aeronautics, Yara is dedicated to promoting awareness and advocating for women's involvement in Aerospace and STEM fields across the Middle East. She aspires to further her academic journey with a doctorate in Aviation Management & Technology specializing in Unnamed Air Systems at Purdue University.

SULTANA ABDI

Sultana Abdi is a dynamic aviation professional with a strong background in regulatory compliance, project coordination, and operational delivery. She currently manages a UN-contracted cargo flight operations project in Somalia as a Program Manager, where her responsibilities include execution, reporting, and stakeholder management. Sultana previously served as an Aviation Specialist at Emirates Specialized and Emirates Drone Solutions, overseeing helideck inspection audits and supporting drone operations integration across the UAE. She also contributes to regional Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) advocacy as a Senior Advisor at the AAM Institute (AAMI). Recently featured as a speaker at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo’s Women in Aviation-ME conference, Sultana is recognized for her leadership and cross-functional collaboration, and is committed to driving operational excellence and shaping the future of next-gen air mobility.

ALEXIS SADEGHY

Alexis Sadeghy is an Associate Attorney at Gilchrist Aviation Law, P.C., where she provides counsel on aircraft title, registration, finance, and leasing for national and international aviation companies. She assists with transactions by offering guidance on aircraft buying, selling, and leasing, FAA aircraft registration, aviation title law, and the International Registry. Gilchrist Aviation Law, P.C. also provides escrow services for aircraft transactions.

Alexis earned her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of the women's golf team. She then attended Oklahoma City University School of Law. Committed to her community, Alexis volunteers as a golf coach and board member for the First Tee of OKC and serves on the Young Professionals' Board for the CARE Center, Oklahoma City's sole child advocacy center. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, community engagement, supporting Thunder basketball and OSU sporting events, and spending time with her family and dog.