New Members

June 2024

Mariely Bonilla

Mariely has over 12 years of experience in the accounting area, seven of which have been in the aviation industry.

Tyler Conklin

Julieta Diederichsen

Lauren Mayer

Lauren started her career in aviation eight years ago as an executive assistant to the Chief Marketing Officer at Aircraft Engine Lease Finance Inc., and quickly transitioned her responsibilities to operations in order to structure the company's policies and procedures. After her transition to operations in 2022, Lauren obtained ISO certification for AELF and completed her certification as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Michelle Munoz-Talcott

Michelle joined Viasat in 2017, where she leads marketing for aviation and energy segments which includes commercial, business aviation, aircraft operation and safety, and uncrewed aerial vehicles.

She has over 25 years of marketing experience in the technology and wireless industries including Verizon, Vodafone and Nokia (formally Alcatel-Lucent). Her roles have included working in all facets of marketing and product management as well as international posts in Europe.

Michelle received her MBA in international management and marketing from Arizona State University (Thunderbird, American Graduate School of International Management).

Mariana Viriato

Máriana joined WTW in 2015, but prior to that she began her aviation insurance career in 2010 at Avsurance (part of Avfuel Corporation) working both as Lead Account Manager and Customer Service Representative, while also serving as Accounts Receivable Specialist. In 2012 Máriana relocated to Atlanta where she joined Wells Fargo Insurance Services’ National Aviation Practice Group as an Account Executive.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Máriana shared her father’s love of aviation from a young age, developing into a passion and later, a career. In 1998, Máriana moved to Ann Arbor, MI where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Marketing from Eastern Michigan University.

Máriana is an active member in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Airports Council International (ACI), Antique Airplane Association, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Atlanta Aero Club, Aviation Insurance Association (AIA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), International Aerobatic Club (IAC), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Vintage Aircraft Association, Warbirds of America and Women in Aviation International (WAI).

Julie Albert

Julie Albert is Head of Aerospace & Defense Center of Excellence at Capgemini Engineering, with more than 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry.

She has a strong background in system and mechanical engineering including key roles in supply chain, project, and program management, especially for a digital transformation program where she played a significant role in designing and implementing go-to-market strategies as a solution manager.

Julie Albert holds an Engineering Diploma from INSA and is based out of Toulouse.

Deesha Desai

Mindi Kimmell

Chanen Lively

Chanen Lively is the Vice President of Human Resources and Employment Counsel at Envoy Air Inc., a subsidiary of American Airlines Group. With a leadership role encompassing compensation and benefits, talent acquisition, development, compliance, workers' compensation, business partner management, and corporate communications, Chanen has been instrumental in shaping the company's HR strategies since she joined in June 2016.

She founded the Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee to celebrate the company's diverse workforce and ensure policies reflect the organization’s values. Chanen also oversees the transition from in-person to virtual training programs for leadership and general manager development, and co-chairs the Women of Envoy Program, which supports the mentorship and growth of female leaders. Her responsibilities extend to designing and managing leave of absence, workforce reduction, and early retirement programs, negotiating terms with labor groups, and facilitating communication across various business units.

Before her current role, Chanen served as Counsel and Director of Envoy Legal Affairs. She advised business leaders on employment best practices to mitigate legal risks, conducted internal investigations, defended against Department of Labor and EEOC claims, managed litigation, and ensured compliance with regulations across over 30 states. She played a critical role in negotiating collective bargaining agreements and resolving labor disputes, demonstrating her expertise in employment law and her dedication to fostering a fair and compliant workplace.

Mikayla Whitley

Mikayla Whitley is currently the Executive Director of Marketing for Commercial Modifications, Engineering and Specialty Products (CMESP) in Boeing Global Services (BGS) where she leads a team of experts responsible for supporting sales campaigns and building strategic playbooks outlining market-based growth opportunities. Mikayla came into this role after her position as the Business Integration Leader supporting Phantom Works for Boeing’s Defense & Space Division. In this role, she was responsible for leading a cross-functional team developing a digitally advanced production system and cultivating innovative new manufacturing techniques designed to optimize production.

Prior to this role, Mikayla was the Senior Manager leading the Commercial Small Autonomous Systems team in Boeing’s NeXt future mobility organization. In this position, her team was responsible for the development of last mile logistics and a scalable ecosystem for future mobility platforms.

Prior to this, Mikayla worked in BGS as the Business Development Senior Manager and has held numerous leadership positions in Boeing Commercial (BCA) including Product Category Manager, Operations Procurement Agent and the chief of staff for the MATIS Board of Directors. Mikayla holds a M.S. from Embry Riddle in Aeronautics, a B.A. from the University of Washington in Business Information Systems, Green Six Sigma Green Belt and is a graduate of the Boeing Leadership Development Excellence Program (LDE). Outside of work Mikayla is a private pilot, enjoys running, hiking, cooking, attending sporting events and traveling.

May 2024

Bridget Donley

Bridget Donley joined the insurance industry in 2010 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in English. By 2014, she found her way to the aviation sector and hasn't looked back since. As someone who loves to learn, Bridget finds aviation to be the most interesting industry within the wonderful world of insurance and risk management. Currently, she is in a new role at WTW as the Aviation & Space Strategy & Execution Leader for North America, where she helps drive thought leadership and special projects.

Jenny Beatty

In her aviation career, Captain Jenny Beatty has served as airline flight operations manager, standards captain, instructor, and pilot rated to fly the B737, B747, B777, B787, DC-9, seaplanes, and gliders. She is a longtime researcher, writer, and speaker about women and others underrepresented in aviation careers. Her advocacy for women in aviation includes active roles as program developer of the 99s Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative, trustee for the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Subject Matter Expert on bias and discrimination in aviation. Captain Beatty provides free resources and guidance to up-and-coming professional pilots, including the Halt Harassment in Aviation Checklist, on her website at www.JennyBeatty.com.

Katherine O'Brien

Katherine has over 20 years experience as a corporate treasury professional, of which over 10 years have been gained in the aviation sector. Previously as head of Treasury with aircraft lessor AWAS and subsequently DAE Capital, a role held for more than 9 years. Prior to this she held a number of senior treasury roles with Global Crossing (a major telecoms company) and Intel Corporation both in Ireland and the UK. Katherine is also a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (UK) and holds the Cert and Diploma from the Institute of Directors Katherine has over 20 years experience as a corporate treasury professional, of which over 10 years have been gained in the aviation sector. Previously as head of Treasury with aircraft lessor AWAS and subsequently DAE Capital, a role held for more than 9 years. Prior to this she held a number of senior treasury roles with Global Crossing (a major telecoms company) and Intel Corporation both in Ireland and the UK. Katherine is also a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (UK) and is a member of the Institute of Directors (Ireland and UK). In her current role, Katherine is working to expand the UMB Bank footprint in Europe through their recently opened Irish office, focused exclusively on providing corporate trust services to the aviation sector.

Neha Arora

Sheri Hollaway

Ms. Hollaway, P.E., CM, has 35 years experience in heavy/highway, power, petrochemical construction and estimating, as well as construction administration and management, 22 of which are specifically in aviation. She holds a BS and and ME in Civil Engineering/Construction Management from Texas A&M University. ; Ms. Hollaway opened Hollaway Consulting Engineers in 2015 and has focused her business on construction management and RPR Inspections.