2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Tiara Lupanko

In just three years with the Regina Airport Authority, Tiara Lupanko has redefined what modern HR leadership looks like within aviation. As Director of Human Resources, she has rebuilt trust, revitalized engagement, and embedded a people-first culture across the organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, Lupanko has provided strategic guidance on key initiatives while ensuring employees feel heard, valued, and supported.

Lupanko led a full overhaul of the Authority’s HR program, implementing a new pay equity plan, overhauling union classifications, and negotiating a six-year collective bargaining agreement. She also launched an employee recognition program and developed recurring staff events and engagement surveys that have delivered results well above expectations. Her work has elevated morale, strengthened collaboration, and established a renewed sense of shared purpose across the airport community.

Motivated by a desire to foster positive, inclusive workplaces, Lupanko’s passion for people stems from her own early experiences in challenging environments. She is deeply committed to ensuring employees feel proud and excited to come to work each day. “Our people are the heart of everything we do,” she says. “When they thrive, the entire operation performs at its best.”

An active participant in industry events and a strong advocate for employee wellness, Lupanko continues to inspire others—especially women pursuing leadership roles in aviation—through her authenticity, empathy, and dedication to building stronger teams.