AVIATE with Shaesta

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Kathryn Creedy—veteran aviation journalist and advocate for workforce equity—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in aviation and its consequences. Creedy draws on decades of reporting and personal experience to challenge misconceptions about DEI, highlight the business case for inclusion, and explore how cultural resistance, policy rollback, and outdated work rules threaten both profitability and safety. They discuss the power of community among women in aviation, the emerging demands of younger generations for work–life balance, and the imperative for leaders to move beyond lip service to real, systemic change.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Intro: The Cost of Ignoring DEI

01:31 | Kathryn’s Background & Advocacy

03:07 | Why DEI Rollbacks Fail

05:13 | Women’s Gains & Pushback

08:09 | What DEI Really Means

10:23 | The Diversity Dividend

12:04 | Culture & Economic Backlash

15:42 | Why So Few Women AMTs?

18:41 | Strength in Community

21:32 | Rethinking Work–Life Balance

24:03 | Next‑Gen Talent Pipelines

26:50 | Safety & Mental Health Reform

29:28 | Leaders: Lip Service vs. Action

33:08 | Closing: A Call to Change

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LinkedIn: ⁠Kathryn Creedy
⁠

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LinkedIn:⁠ Shaesta Waiz⁠

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⁠Shaesta Waiz on YouTube⁠

⁠YouTube (Aviate Platform)⁠

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In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Mervat Sultan—founder of Ramjet Aviation Services and President of the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter—about how intentional leadership, structured mentorship, and policy support have transformed a handful of members into a 1,000-strong network and the largest women-in-aviation conference in the Arab world. 

Over 25 years, Sultan learned aviation “from scratch,” built executive charter operations, and opened doors for countless pilots, engineers, and managers. They discuss reframing quotas as performance standards, embedding inclusion into systems, preparing students for AI and quantum-driven flight, and why “the sky is wide enough for all of us.”

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Opening call: “Skies are wide enough for all of us.”

01:32 | Host introduction & Sultan’s impact on Middle-East aviation

03:53 | Why Middle-East progress matters to global inclusion efforts

06:03 | Sultan’s passion: real stories of women transforming careers

07:30 | Founding Ramjet and learning aviation from the ground up

10:41 | Government backing & corporate accountability in the region

12:38 | Quotas vs. performance: reframing the gender-equity debate

17:31 | Effective strategies: executive intent, clear pathways, male allies

18:51 | Embedding inclusion: systems, metrics, respect in practice

20:24 | Advice to women: seek mentors, stay curious, trust your worth

23:34 | Cross-border lessons: sharing stories beyond geopolitical lines

26:22 | Future skills: integrating AI & quantum tech into aviation education

30:21 | Guidance for new entrants: matching personality to aviation roles

33:29 | Zero-error culture: fundamentals, time-management, real-world anecdotes

36:34 | Closing reflections: gratitude, next steps, and a shared vision

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In this powerful conversation, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Retired Lt. Col. Olga E. Custodio, the first Latina to fly for the United States Air Force and later, the first Latina commercial airline captain in the U.S. Olga shares the deeply personal and professional journey behind her groundbreaking aviation career—one that began after starting a family, not before.

Together, they unpack cultural norms, leadership, and the rollback of DEI initiatives in today’s aviation climate. Olga discusses how women—especially Latinas—can stand firm in spaces where they don’t yet see themselves reflected, and why now is the time to preserve and elevate our stories, even as others try to erase them.

This episode is a masterclass in persistence, purpose, and public service.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ Equity and excellence are inseparable

✅ Male and female allies accelerate change

✅ Family first doesn’t mean career last

✅ Confidence comes from preparation, faith, and self-trust

✅ Institutional bias can be dismantled

✅ Stories must be preserved

✅ Leadership’s tone sets the pipeline

✅ Legacy lives in service

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Equity fuels excellence

01:11 | Olga's historic military and airline firsts

03:26 | Military childhood shaped global worldview

07:28 | Marriage and motherhood built career foundation

12:19 | Persistence despite bias and rejection

19:00 | DEI rollbacks threaten aviation’s future

24:11 | Latina pilots belong—find your allies

30:15 | Leaders must champion inclusive pipelines

34:12 | Stay visible, grounded, and accessible

Follow Olga Custodio

Website: www.purflygirl.com

LinkedIn: Olga Custodio

Instagram: @olgaecustodio

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Shaesta Waiz on YouTube

YouTube (Aviate Platform)

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In this wide-ranging conversation, Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer—first woman to fly the Boeing 747—joins host Shaesta Waiz to dismantle the myth that equity and excellence are mutually exclusive. Rippelmeyer traces her unlikely climb from TWA flight attendant to 747 captain during an era when women “weren’t just under-represented—they were reminded they didn’t belong.” 

She credits key male allies, highlights the power of mentorship, and explains why tapping an inner spiritual compass is critical when the industry questions your right to be there. Beyond the flight deck, Rippelmeyer discusses raising two sons while flying, founding the nonprofit ROSE—Roatán Support Effort, and writing two memoirs (Life Takes Wings, Life Takes Flight) whose proceeds fund medical and educational aid in Honduras. Her core message: a fully engaged, diverse workforce is the only route to operational excellence—and every new pilot has a part to play.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ Equity is foundational to excellence—not its opposite

✅ Mentorship from male allies can open historic doors

✅ You can raise a family while flying professionally

✅ The myth of “safety risk” from women in command roles

✅ Inner confidence stems from spirituality and self-trust

✅ Institutional bias once blocked female captains—until proven wrong

✅ Representation matters: visibility breeds access

✅ Legacy is built not just in flight, but in giving back

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Cold-open — “You can’t have excellence without equity”

01:24 | Host intro and Lynn’s historic flight credentials

03:04 | Dreaming the 747 while training in a Piper Cub

05:27 | Chief Pilot Carl Hershberg and mentorship that changed everything

07:21 | The 747’s “sacred” feel; pilot-aircraft relationship

10:15 | Tackling the false binary of DEI vs. safety

13:16 | Debunking myths: mental fitness, menstruation, and command

19:52 | Flying through doubt, powered by spiritual grounding

23:49 | Finding support: 99s, WAI, ISA+21, and choosing community

26:33 | Post-career: launching ROSE and humanitarian flying

28:50 | Life Takes Wings & Life Takes Flight — memoirs with mission

Additional Resources

Nonprofit: ROSE – Roatán Support Effort

Follow Capt. Lynn Rippelmeyer

Website: lynnrippelmeyer.com

LinkedIn: Lynn Rippelmeyer - Speaker, Author - Wings Unlimited, LLC

Books: Life Takes Wings

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Military veteran and advocate Jessica Ruttenber—retired Air Force officer, founder of Level Up Aviation joins host Shaesta Waiz to explain why dismantling diversity, equity & inclusion programs threatens aviation safety, talent pipelines, and hard‑won policy gains such as the removal of a height restriction that once barred 44 % of U.S. women from military cockpits.

Politicized pushback against DEI is already shrinking grant dollars, sponsorships, and talent pools across aviation. Drawing on her work overturning the Air Force height standard and running Level Up Aviation scholarships, Ruttenber details how “trigger words” in funding applications are chilling support for nonprofits, why the FAA’s own data contradicts claims that standards were lowered, and what leaders can do—quietly or loudly—to interrupt bias and preserve equal access for future aviators.

From the myth that DEI lowers standards to the hidden costs of outdated specifications, this conversation delivers hard data, candid stories, and a roadmap for leaders who refuse to roll back progress.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ DEI removes barriers—never qualifications

✅ FAA executive‑order rhetoric vs. actual safety data

✅ Height and anthropometric rules that excluded women & minorities

✅ Funding “trigger words” that chill nonprofit grants

✅ Change is a marathon: pacing advocacy to avoid burnout

✅ Leadership duty to interrupt bias in real time

✅ Inspiration + access: why representation still matters for recruitment

✅ Budget vigilance—protecting long‑horizon research

✅ Progress is nonlinear but defensible with facts and documentation

Chapter Breakdown

00:00  | Cold‑open—misconceptions about DEI and safety

01:39  | Host introduction—Season focus on women in aviation

03:34  | Framing question: DEI politicization and nonprofit fallout

04:14  | Executive‑order language vs. aviation safety data

08:04  | Funding “trigger words” and scholarship impact

10:46  | Removing the 44 % height barrier; advocacy pacing

13:57  | Women pilots data; crypto‑linguist case study

19:11  | Inspiration vs. access; role‑model visibility

24:10  | Leadership advice: interrupt bias, protect inclusive R&D

26:26  | Closing gratitude and sign‑off

Additional Resources

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This is Aviate with Shaesta, and we’re opening Season 7 with a force of clarity, grit, and hard-earned wisdom. Sharon Preszler—trailblazer, retired Air Force fighter pilot, and advocate—joins us for a rare and brutally honest conversation on gender, performance, and the cost of systemic resistance in aviation today.

As the first woman to become combat-ready in the F-16, Sharon didn’t just break a barrier—she carried the weight of proving an entire generation’s worth. In this conversation, she opens up about the pressure, the skepticism, the “death by a thousand cuts” moments—and why we need to push back against the narrative that DEI lowers standards.

We talk performance, bias, representation, and the reality facing women in uniform now, as DEI programs are pulled back, stories are erased, and long-earned progress is threatened.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “just a diversity hire,” if you’ve felt the need to outperform just to be accepted, or if you care about building a military and aviation community that truly reflects the best this country has to offer—this episode is for you.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ Belonging must still be proven through performance

✅ DEI removes barriers—not qualifications

✅ Sharon’s journey from fighter pilot to advocate

✅ Being the “first” means constant scrutiny

✅ Inclusion is key to retention and trust

✅ DEI rollback is harming readiness and morale

✅ Legacy systems exclude qualified talent

✅ Systemic bias still shapes who advances

✅ We need facts—not fear—in these debates

✅ Leadership pipelines still favor familiarity

✅ Historic bias still shapes modern outcomes

✅ Progress is fragile—but worth defending

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – You must change the system yourself

01:27 – Why this conversation matters right now

04:46 – Flying the F-16 under pressure and protest

08:03 – What inclusion really looks like in uniform

10:19 – Who defines “qualified” in aviation today?

13:59 – DEI rollbacks and historical erasure

18:35 – Data reveals who’s truly advancing

22:46 – Is the system neutral—or just comfortable?

29:18 – Microaggressions and lasting emotional cost

36:44 – Advice: Define success, perform relentlessly

Connect with Sharon Preszler

Website: sharonpreszler.com

LinkedIn: Sharon Preszler

Follow Shaesta Waiz

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LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz

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 Shaesta Waiz on YouTube

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By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group

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In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, we sit down with Capt. Reyne O’Shaughnessy, an airline veteran with 35 years of flying experience and the author of This Is Your Captain Speaking: What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health. Reyne shares her inspiring journey from summer typist and flight attendant to the cockpit of the Boeing 747, offering an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of life as a pilot.

Reyne opens up about the mental health challenges unique to aviation, discussing how sleep disruption, fear of disclosure, and demanding schedules impact pilots’ well-being and performance. She also highlights her initiatives to support flight crews, including programs for Aviation Medical Examiners and peer volunteers, and provides actionable strategies for managing stress. This conversation is a must-listen for pilots, aspiring aviators, and anyone curious about the role mental health plays in aviation safety.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction & Reyne’s Career Path

Shaesta introduces Capt. Reyne O’Shaughnessy and explores her journey from summer typist and flight attendant to commanding a Boeing 747.

06:15 – Mental Health Challenges Unique to Aviation

Reyne discusses the stigma pilots face when seeking help, how irregular schedules disrupt sleep and wellness, and the connection between chronic stress and flight safety.

14:30 – Overcoming the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Attitude

Why honest conversations about mental health are essential for aviation safety, and how organizations can foster safer environments for disclosure.

21:50 – Practical Strategies for Well-Being

Reyne shares tips for prioritizing health, including the importance of sleep routines, mindfulness techniques, and building a supportive community.

29:10 – Initiatives and Future Projects

Highlights of Reyne’s work with Aviation Medical Examiners, peer volunteers, and collaborations with airlines to integrate mental health components into pilot training programs.

35:00 – Final Reflections & Next Steps

Shaesta and Reyne recap key takeaways and discuss the future of mental health initiatives in aviation, leaving listeners with actionable advice for fostering well-being in high-stress environments.

Whether you're in the aviation industry or simply interested in mental health and performance, this episode offers invaluable insights into how taking care of pilots' well-being is vital for a safer and healthier aviation landscape.

Website: ShaestaWaiz.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaestawaiz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaesta.waiz/

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In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, we’re joined by Reneta Johnson, a trailblazer in global commerce and aviation. Reneta’s unique journey—from aerospace engineering to leading international business development and strategy—offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities for women in aviation.

Reneta shares her powerful story of overcoming barriers, navigating stereotypes, and building a successful career in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She discusses the importance of retention in aviation, the critical role of mentorship and community, and her passion for creating tactical guides to help women not only enter the field but thrive in it.

00:00 – Introduction & Reneta’s Early Influences

Shaesta introduces Reneta Johnson, discussing her academic background in aerospace engineering and her initial inspirations to enter aviation.

07:40 – Overcoming Stereotypes in Aviation

Reneta discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field and how she navigated these barriers.

14:25 – Retention & Leadership

Why retaining women in aviation is critical for shaping the future of the industry—and how Reneta’s leadership approach addresses this issue.

20:10 – Mentorship & Community

How mentorship programs and supportive communities can foster growth and success for women in aviation.

26:30 – Developing Tactical Guides for Success

Reneta highlights her passion for creating step-by-step resources to help aspiring aviators thrive, from scholarships to networking strategies.

31:40 – Balancing Global Commerce & Aviation & Final Reflections & Next Steps

Shaesta and Reneta recap key takeaways, with Reneta offering advice for anyone looking to break into the world of aviation.

Website: ShaestaWaiz.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaestawaiz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaesta.waiz/

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In this episode of the AVIATE Podcast, Shaesta Waiz sits down with Lauren Lacey Haertlein, Deputy General Counsel for Policy and Regulatory at Joby Aviation. Lauren shares her unique journey from healthcare law to aviation, a career shift that stemmed from her passion for flight and a determination to follow her interests. This inspiring conversation dives into her experiences in aviation law, the impact of eVTOL technology, and the transformative role of advanced air mobility.

Lauren also reflects on her work with the Women in Aviation Advisory Board and shares her perspective on fostering inclusivity in the industry. For women aspiring to enter aviation, Lauren provides actionable advice and insights into building a strong foundation in the field.

Key Topics Discussed:

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In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta, we sit down with Stephanie Goetz, a powerhouse of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Stephanie’s journey is one of courage and transformation, navigating profound personal loss, redefining her path, and ultimately finding her passion for aviation later in life.

From her beginnings as a news anchor to her evolution into a professional pilot and mental health advocate, Stephanie shares how she found healing, strength, and fulfillment by pushing beyond the boundaries she once thought defined her.

Stephanie’s insights on embracing change, nurturing mental wellness, and breaking through self-doubt are a reminder that it’s never too late to find your calling or redefine who you are. Whether you’re in aviation or simply navigating life’s twists and turns, Stephanie’s story will inspire you to reconnect with your dreams and build a life you truly love.

Guest Information:

Host Information:

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