Speaker Roster Confirmed for 2018 Women in Aviation International Conference
Women in Aviation International members and conference attendees will experience the conference theme of Connect. Engage. Inspire. at the 29th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, March 22-44, 2018, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada.
Speakers at Friday’s and Saturday’s general session include:
Dr. Janet Lapp is a 3,500-hour CFI, FAASTeam rep, and clinical neuropsychologist with a doctorate from McGill University-Montreal. A Bonanza owner for over 30 years, she is an active Board member and pilot for the Flying Doctors of Mercy.
Nicole Stott is a retired NASA astronaut who is pursuing her next adventure as a full-time artist. Inspired by her spaceflights, she uses her artwork to share her experiences through the windows of the space shuttle and space station and actively supports STEAM/STEM educational organizations.
Marily Mora has been president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) since 2013. She is responsible for leading and directing the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). She has 30 years of airport management experience.
Shaesta Waiz, who is the first female civilian pilot in Afghanistan, is founder and president of Dreams Soar, Inc. who completed a solo around-the-world flight in 2017 in order to inspire girls to pursue STEM-related careers.
Carey Lohrenz is the first female F-14 Tomcat pilot and a pioneer in military aviation. Having flown missions worldwide as a combat, mission-ready U.S. Navy pilot, Carey is used to working in fast-moving, dynamic environments where inconsistent execution can generate catastrophic results. She is the author of Fearless Leadership: High Performance Lessons from the Flight Deck.
Janine Shepherd, the speaker for Friday’s luncheon, is an internationally renowned speaker whose inspiring TED Talk “A Broken Body Isn’t a Broken Person” has garnered over 1.5 million views. Janine suffered life-threatening injuries when she was hit by a truck in Australia during a training bike ride. She used flight training as her rehabilitation and recovery.
Sean D. Tucker is a world-class aerobatic pilot who is sponsored by the Oracle Corporation and performs worldwide as Team Oracle. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008 and is currently chairman of EAA’s Young Eagles program.
Girls in Aviation Day Reno will take place on Saturday with approximately 200 girls ages 8 to 17 from the local area being introduced to the career and lifestyle possibilities available in aviation. Shaesta Waiz, a keynote speaker, will inspire the girls and their parents during the Girls in Aviation Day lunch.
Secure online registration is available at www.wai.org/18conference. Discounted registration is available for military personnel and full-time students, and early registration special rates are available through January 29, 2018, midnight EST. For more information, visit www.WAI.org.
