With season five of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast out now, I’d like to take a moment to share the inspiration behind these meaningful conversations we host with women in our industry.
In 2005, I discovered my passion for aviation right after graduating high school. Being a refugee from Afghanistan with a family who held on to the Afghan traditions growing up, I often felt uncertain as to where I truly belonged. English was my third language, so I felt like America was somewhere other than my home. On the other hand, my family and I left Afghanistan when I was a few months old, and I had no memories of my country of birth. As the second oldest daughter of six sisters, I often felt abyss, waiting to grow up so that I could get married at a young age and have a family. When I discovered aviation on a commercial airline flight, I felt something powerful for the first time. I felt a sense of belonging in the sky. I felt at home.
At every intersection, from starting my flight training, starting my own business, deciding to fly around the world, balancing motherhood and my career, or thinking about my future in this industry, I have found myself longing for a community of women to connect with and learn from.
This podcast is a result of my experiences as a minority woman in aviation. I aim to give women in our industry a platform to discuss their personal and professional career experiences. To anchor each conversation, we usually focus on an AVIATE theme highlighted below.
Acknowledge: Highlighting the contributions of women aviation pioneers globally who have set the foundation for women in the field through their courage, resilience, and persistence.
Vocalize: Empowering individuals to express their ideas, passions, and experiences to advocate for necessary changes that support women in aviation.
Inclusion: Affirming everyone’s belonging in aviation, transcending man-made borders, and recognizing our unity as one human race.
Act: Encouraging action towards one’s passions and aspirations in aviation, fostering confidence and community support.
Travel: Emphasizing travel as a key to inspiration and personal growth, urging individuals to explore new places and cultures.
Evolve: Motivating continuous personal development and leveraging collective knowledge and resources to reach one’s highest potential.
I am proud to share that this podcast is listened to in over 90 countries, with listenership consisting of 58% women, 34% men, and 7% non-binary. Thank you for taking the time to listen to these conversations.
This week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, I speak to Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Assistant Director of Space Policy for the White House. With her incredible career in aerospace, I asked Ezinne specific questions around the AVIATE (Acknowledge, Vocalize, Inclusion, Act, and Evolve) theme.
From humble beginnings in Nigeria, where she sought solutions to everyday problems, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro has charted an extraordinary path. Her journey, marked by curiosity and resilience, led her from aspirations of being an inventor to the forefront of space exploration and policy-making. With a career that began at NASA in 2004, Ezinne has accumulated extensive expertise in space engineering systems and management. Her academic accomplishments are equally impressive, with three master’s degrees and a historic doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT, making her the first and only Black woman to achieve this feat.
In her current role as the assistant director of space policy in the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, Uzo-Okoro is instrumental in shaping the nation’s space priorities. Her days are filled with tackling challenges ranging from space debris to Earth’s climate monitoring, reflecting a diverse and impactful portfolio.
Uzo-Okoro’s vision extends beyond practical solutions; she envisions a future where space technology is critical in advancing society and the global economy. Her dedication and pioneering spirit have not only led to significant contributions in the field of space exploration but also positioned her as a role model, inspiring others to pursue their dreams relentlessly.
This conversation is now available on your favorite podcast app or tune in below.
A special thank you to Atlantic Aviation for exclusively sponsoring our podcast and providing these critical conversations to the industry. Since we launched this platform, you have supported us, and we appreciate your partnership.
