Dear WIA Members,
One of the many privileges of my role as Chair of the Board is that I meet a lot of members and sponsors at conferences and industry events. With excitement, we discussed how the space enterprise continues to evolve, new businesses and career options are growing, more barriers of entry for women are broken, inspiring the next generation of leaders in STEM from all demographics, and we weigh in on the impact of the commercial space industry. Most importantly, we discussed how WIA’s commitment to accelerate the advancement and visibility of women in aerospace is as relevant today, as it was over 30 years ago by our founding members.
We will continue to develop impactful programs, establish new partnerships, and make our presence known in the space ecosystem to ensure sustainability and inclusivity in carrying out our commitment and support of women leaders in the aerospace community. As we reach the midpoint of the year, I am delighted to share with you some of the highly notable accomplishments we have achieved - together!
The kickoff of the New Year started with the announcement of my appointment to the White House National Space Council’s (NSpC) User Advisory Group (UAG). It was definitely a highlight and privilege to position WIA to help shape strategy and policy recommendations for the NSpC. In February, WIA attended the first NSpC UAG public hearing under the new administration, as well as hosted a table display to engage and educate attendees about WIA. It is a remarkable achievement for WIA and a testament to our dedication and expertise. For more information on the NSpC UAG subcommittees, please visit the website: National Space Council Users' Advisory Group (NSpC UAG) | NASA.
In addition, I am pleased to highlight the resounding success of WIA's Future Architectures forum, which took place in March. Northrop Grumman hosted this event. They brought together numerous industry leaders and experts to discuss resilience and leadership in the increasingly crowded and contested space domain. The experts emphasized the importance of collaboration throughout the forum. I want to express my gratitude to Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems Command and all the partners for their valuable contributions to this event.
Our Professional Development Webinar series has been thriving, with four out of the six webinars offered this year already completed. These webinars cover a wide range of valuable topics, including building professional courage, the power of mentorship and sponsorship, becoming a highly valued member of your team, and effective delegation. For those who participate in four out of six webinars offered this year has the opportunity to earn a Professional Development Webinar Series certificate. We have two exciting webinars left in 2023: "Be The Kind of Leader You Always Wanted to Follow," scheduled for September 7th, and "Your Transferrable Skills: How to Identify & Leverage Skills to Advance Your Career," scheduled for November 2nd.
Looking ahead, we have a busy fall season with several exciting programs and events in the works:
- WIA Stories: The Journey of Incredible Women in Aerospace - We are compiling inspiring stories of incredible women in aerospace as part of our WIA Stories program. These stories will serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for current and future generations of aerospace professionals.
- WIA's Gender Equity Program - Promoting equity and inclusivity within the aerospace industry remains a top priority for WIA. Our Gender Equity Program aims to provide resources, support, and opportunities to underrepresented groups, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
- WIA's Breakfast Club - Our Breakfast Club events will continue to bring together professionals from various disciplines within the aerospace field for a round table discussion featuring thought-provoking discourse and responses from select Congressional Committees.
- WIA's 38th Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony - Mark your calendars for October 12, 2023, as we celebrate our 38th Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony. This prestigious event will honor the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations within the aerospace community. Nominations for WIA's 2023 Awards are only open until TOMORROW, June 27th, so please take this opportunity to recognize deserving candidates by visiting this link.
I encourage all of you to register for our upcoming programs and events as they become available, as seats fill up quickly. Additionally, if you or your organization are interested in registering or sponsoring this year's Awards Dinner, please reach out promptly to secure your participation.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your continued support, dedication, and active participation in the WIA community. Together, we are making a significant impact, and I look forward to the continued success of Women in Aerospace throughout the remainder of the year.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
