Women Driving Culture This Week

Women are not just part of the conversation—they are leading it, shaping the trends, and making the key decisions that propel the industry forward. Their influence is being felt in the aviation industry in subtle ways. Here is what that looked like this week:

Discuss: Aerospace Manufacturing Center at York Prison Training Women for Well-Paying Jobs

A new $4 million advanced manufacturing center at York Correctional Institution is reshaping the future for incarcerated women and the aviation industry as a whole. This unique partnership with Pursuit Aerospace creates real opportunities by training women in aircraft engine part manufacturing—offering them a well-paying job upon release and giving the aviation sector access to a skilled workforce. As we look at aviation's future, programs like this are pivotal, especially when the industry needs to attract more diverse talent, including women, to critical roles.

At the heart of this initiative is Connecticut State Senator, Cathy Osten , whose deep background in corrections makes her a force for change in the system. Cathy and Appropriations Co-Chairwoman Toni Walker secured $20 million to fund programs like this one, recognizing that they're not just about job placement but about transformation. The women trained in this facility will walk out with skills that directly apply to the aerospace industry. This industry needs this infusion of talent and diversity to innovate and grow.

The implications here go beyond job training. We're talking about building a pipeline that connects the aviation sector to untapped talent, specifically women who, upon release, can fill roles in a male-dominated field. The shift is clear: industries like aerospace must embrace diversity to remain competitive, and government support is critical in making that happen. The fact that this center is inside a prison breaks down barriers that have traditionally excluded women from these roles. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Cathy Osten's role in making this happen speaks volumes about the power of government to shape the future of industries like aviation. This is not just about rehabilitation but about creating pathways for women into high-demand, high-paying fields like aerospace manufacturing. The aviation industry is on the cusp of a new era, and we need more programs that bridge the gap for women, especially those who have been historically marginalized. With leaders like Osten, the government's role here is to open these doors, creating opportunities that never existed before. This program is a blueprint for what the future of aviation workforce development could—and should—look like.

Understand: Annie Petsonk Leads the Push for Clean Aviation Fuel

Annie Petsonk is the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation . She is working hard to help the U.S. shift toward sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a cleaner alternative to the regular jet fuel planes use today. Featured in a recent article from Biomass Magazine , Annie P. addressed stakeholders at the North American SAF Conference & Expo held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and explained how crucial it is to meet the government's goal of producing 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030. This is part of the larger U.S. SAF Grand Challenge, which aims to replace traditional jet fuel with SAF by 2050 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make air travel more eco-friendly.?

Petsonk highlighted three key areas where the government needs input from experts and companies involved in SAF. Speaking at the North American SAF Conference & Expo, Petsonk said there needed to be clear guidelines on what qualifies as sustainable aviation fuel, how to measure its environmental impact, and how to calculate the emissions it saves.

She also emphasized consistency and that the rules for producing and using SAF should be stable and predictable because farming (which makes some SAF ingredients) and aviation involve long-term investments in equipment like airplanes and infrastructure. Additionally, Petsonk pointed out that investors need long-term certainty that policies won't change drastically. If the rules keep shifting, companies may hesitate to invest the big dollars needed to scale up SAF production.

Petsonk discussed how important it is for the U.S. to stay competitive in the global race to develop SAF, as other regions like Europe are also pushing for cleaner aviation fuel. Her work is critical to ensuring the U.S. builds a solid infrastructure to support SAF, creating jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and making air travel more sustainable. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Annie Petsonk is at the forefront of aligning government policy with industry needs to propel the sustainable aviation fuel sector forward. Her focus on clarity, consistency, and continuity addresses producers, investors, and airlines' fundamental concerns. By focusing on clear, consistent, and long-term policies, she's helping to build the foundation needed to produce this cleaner fuel at scale. Her leadership ensures that the U.S. can meet its environmental goals while staying competitive in the global aviation market.

Explore: FAA's Debra Sanning and the Future of Aviation at the Kansas Aviation Summit

At the recent Kansas Aviation Summit, Debra Sanning , the Deputy Regional Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration 's Central Region, discussed the agency's goal to educate the public about the growing pilotless future of flight. As more than 50 aviation companies invest in electric and autonomous aircraft, the FAA aims to increase public understanding and acceptance of these technologies.

With over 30 years of experience, Sanning is crucial in reshaping aviation across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. She oversees critical initiatives tied to the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, ensuring effective implementation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) testing, and infrastructure upgrades. These projects are part of the FAA's larger $105 billion budget, including $19.35 billion allocated for airport infrastructure improvement grants, which support advancements like those at Salina Regional Airport - KSLN .

At the summit, Sanning highlighted the importance of public engagement, stressing that aviation's "next Kitty Hawk" moment—marked by autonomous flight—requires public understanding and acceptance. She emphasized that this transition isn't just about deploying new technologies and ensuring rural and urban communities embrace them. For example, at the Salina Regional Airport, they are testing a new electric aircraft called Nexus, developed by Textron eAviation , proposed as a zero-emissions vehicle with four tilting propellers and two stationary vertical rotors, allowing it to be used for both cargo and passenger transport.

Her call for greater public engagement reflects her understanding that technological progress requires public buy-in. Communities unfamiliar with drones and autonomous aircraft are often wary of these changes, and Sanning's focus on outreach is crucial for addressing these concerns. Her remarks signal that the FAA is not just reacting to industry demands but proactively shaping the future of flight through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and community-driven solutions. READ MORE

MY TAKE: Debra Sanning plays a critical role at the FAA in shaping aviation's next chapter. Her leadership in UAS, public engagement, and the implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act highlight the government's power to regulate and innovate. The aviation industry's move toward uncrewed systems and electric propulsion is monumental, and leaders like Sanning are essential to ensuring that this future is both technologically advanced and socially inclusive.

It's your turn—I'd love to hear from you. Is there a woman in the aviation or aerospace industry who did something notable this week? Tag her below!