NovaRise The Official Magazine of Women in Aerospace Canada Issue #1, 2025 Empowering Women. Elevating Aerospace. Launching Futures. Canada Post Publications Agr eement Number: 406096615 WIA Issue #1, 2025 Published For: Women in Aerospace Canada info@wia-canada.org www.wia-canada.org Published By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Return all undeliverable addresses to: 309 Youville Street Winnipeg, MB R2H 2S9 Canada Post Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Toll-Free: (866) 999-1299 Toll-Free Fax: (866) 244-2544 sales@matrixgroupinc.net www.matrixgroupinc.net President & CEO Jack Andress Operations Manager Shoshana Weinberg sweinberg@matrixgroupinc.net Senior Publisher Jessica Potter jpotter@matrixgroupinc.net Publishers Julie Welsh, Christine Scarisbrick Editor-in-Chief Shannon Savory ssavory@matrixgroupinc.net Editors Paul Adair, Jenna Collignon, Rich Cowan, Kaitlin Vitt Finance / Administration Lloyd Weinberg, Nathan Redekop accounting@matrixgroupinc.net Director of Circulation & Distribution Lloyd Weinberg distribution@matrixgroupinc.net Sales Manager Jeff Cash jcash@matrixgroupinc.net Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Account Executives Ana Baez, Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Paolo Cruz, Rob Gibson, Wilma Gray-Rose, Jim Hamilton, Craig Hornell, Frank Kenyeres, Brendan Kidney, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Ian MacGregor, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Monique Simons Layout & Design Kayti McDonald Advertising Design James Robinson ©2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. To advertise in the next edition of NovaRise, please e-mail sales@matrixgroupinc.net or call (866) 999-1299. CONTENTS 12 Northern Skies: A Journey from Stargazer to Space Leader 16 Shared Horizons: Accelerating Discovery Through Collaboration 22 An Unexpected Trajectory: From Fashion Runways to Rocket Runways 25 The Leap from Fashion to Flight: How Pivoting Built My Career 28 From Imposter Syndrome to Impact: Women Advancing in Aerospace 30 Reaching New Heights: Launch Canada is Fuelling Canada’s Space Future 32 Lunar Leadership: How Volunteering Launches Entrepreneurs 34 Index to Advertisers Features Up Front 7 A Message from Women in Aerospace Canada 8 Meet Women in Aerospace Canada’s Board of Directors and Executive Team 9 Get to Know Women in Aerospace Canada 10 Ascend: WIA's Corporate Leadership Program 11 Mark Your Calendar for InspireHER! WIA Cover photo courtesy of Launch Canada (www.launchcanada.org).7 Up Front • A Message from Women in Aerospace Canada CANADA’S AEROSPACE SECTOR IS ENTERING a critical period of transformation. According to recent national labour market projections, more than 30% of the current aerospace workforce is expected to retire within the next decade, creating substantial demand for skilled talent across engineering, manufacturing, MRO, and emerging technology fields. At the same time, industry is experiencing rapid shifts driven by electrification, automation, AI-enabled systems, sustainability mandates, and advanced manufacturing technologies. These pressures are reshaping the skills required of today’s workforce – and redefining the leadership needed to navigate the next era of aerospace innovation. Across the country, employers consistently identify several shared priorities: • Closing skills gaps in areas such as avionics, systems integration, software, AMEs, and advanced composites. • Attracting new entrants into a sector with historically limited visibility among young women and underrepresented groups. • Upskilling mid-career workers to respond to technological change, automation, and new certification requirements. • Developing leaders who can manage complex, cross-disciplinary programs and guide cultural transformation. • Strengthening workplace culture to support retention, psychological safety, and long-term advancement. At Women in Aerospace Canada (WIA-C), our mandate aligns directly with these priorities. Through our national leadership programs, workforce development partnerships, corporate training, and sector-wide collaborations, we are working to accelerate the development of a future-ready, inclusive aerospace workforce. A sector advancing through collaboration One of the strongest themes emerging from our engagements with industry is the increasing importance of inter-organizational collaboration. No single company – regardless of size – can address labour shortages, skills training, or culture change alone. Progress depends on coordinated efforts across: • Aerospace OEMs; • Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers; • Academic institutions; • Workforce development partners; and • Government and community organizations. WIA-C’s initiatives, including mentorship, leadership training, technical micro-credentials, and employer partnerships, continue to demonstrate the impact of collective action – especially for attracting, developing, and retaining women in technical and leadership roles. Inside this issue In this issue of NovaRise, we highlight stories that reflect the evolving landscape of Canada’s aerospace sector. You’ll find: • Insights from executives leading large-scale transformation; • Stories of women advancing innovation across engineering, operations, and manufacturing; • Features on employers investing in culture, learning, and talent pipelines; • Regional spotlights that demonstrate the strength of Canada’s aerospace clusters; and • New WIA-C initiatives aligned with workforce and technology trends. These stories underscore the essential role of people – their skills, their leadership, and their ability to adapt – in shaping the future of aerospace. Looking ahead Over the next year, WIA-C will continue expanding its national impact by focusing on: • Leadership development for early-career, mid-career, and executive professionals. • Workforce readiness pathways that strengthen recruitment and training pipelines. • Research-informed programming that reflects the realities of Canada’s aerospace labour market. • Corporate partnerships that support culture change, DEI strategies, and talent retention. • National knowledge-sharing through summits, events, roundtables, and publications like this one. As the industry moves toward a more digital, automated, and globally competitive future, we remain committed to supporting both individuals and organizations through this transition. Thank you for your continued leadership, partnership, and engagement. Together, we are building a workforce – and an industry – prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.! BUILDING A FUTURE-READY AEROSPACE WORKFORCE "No single company – regardless of size – can address labour shortages, skills training, or culture change alone. Progress depends on coordinated efforts." Nikki Morshedi Executive Director8 www.wia-canada.org Up Front 2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS WOMEN IN AEROSPACE CANADA EXECUTIVE TEAM Silvia Bianchi Chair Board Advisor, Sandbox AQ Nancy Barber President, Governance & Strategy Founder, Barber Complete Consultancy Inc. Sabrina Gomez Vila Marketing & Social Media Head of the Fleet Performance Team in Customer Services, Airbus Canada Sajedah Rustom Vice Chair CEO, AviaPro Consulting Jenn Gebel Secretary & Treasurer Director of Operations, Patlon Aircraft & Industries Limited Nikki Morshedi Executive Director Anesha Mohammed Fundraising Sr. HR, KPM Power Inc. Stella Filippatos Director at Large Director, Program Management, Electrical Aircraft Lindsey Chapman Director at Large Sales Executive, NVIDIA Joyce El Helou Director at Large Corporate Strategy and Governance Management for the Office of the President, Bombardier Rachel Jenkins Director at Large Ground Segment Product Engineer, GMV Smriti Ahuja Program Manager Prabhleen Nar Program Coordinator Lara Olajumoke Outreach Consultant To learn more about WIA-C's Board of Directors and Executive Staff, please visit: www.wia-canada.org/board-of-directors-and-executive-team.9 Up Front FOUNDED IN 2009, WOMEN IN AEROSPACE CANADA (WIA- Canada) emerged from the vision of a coalition of Canadian aerospace leaders who recognized the need for a powerful, inclusive network to elevate women in the industry. Built on collaboration, partnership, and purpose, WIA-Canada unites professionals at every career stage – from students to executives – across engineering, operations, business, academia, and beyond. Thank you to our Corporate Members! PlatinumGoldBronzeNon-Profit/Small Business ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT ADVANCING WOMEN in aerospace and making a meaningful impact in our community? Women in Aerospace Canada is looking for dedicated volunteers to help us drive our mission forward. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to: ✔ Contribute your skills to exciting projects and events. ✔ Expand your professional network within the aerospace industry. ✔ Support initiatives that inspire and empower women in STEM. ✔ Gain valuable leadership and organizational experience. Whether you can give a few hours a month or take on a larger role, your time and talent will help us continue to grow and deliver opportunities for connection, mentorship, and professional development. GET TO KNOW WOMEN IN AEROSPACE CANADA As our mission, we are dedicated to expanding women and underrepresented groups’ opportunities for leadership and professional development as well as increasing the visibility of women in the aerospace community by creating a professional network in Canada and across the globe. Our vision is to be the premier organization that empowers women to lead and excel in Canada’s aerospace industry, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse talents are recognized, developed, and celebrated. Discover WIA-Canada www.wia-canada.org. CONSIDER CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS PROVIDE MEMBERS with the opportunity to give back to their employees. Being part of an organization like WIA-C can provide employees with the opportunity for training, networking and industry knowledge that they may not otherwise have. You also have the option to customize your membership to meet your company needs. There are several levels to choose from and you can customize your membership so that you can access the services you need in order to best encourage your employees’ growth and success. VOLUNTEER WITH WOMEN IN AEROSPACE CANADA Ready to get involved and help shape the future of aerospace? Scan the QR code or click it in the digital version to access the volunteer form. Learn more about becoming a corporate member at www.wia-canada.org or by emailing info@wia-canada.org.Next >