In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Dr. Kimberly Perkins—787 airline pilot, research scientist at the University of Washington, and fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion in aviation and why it matters for safety, innovation, and the next generation.

Kimberly shares how DEI was often treated as a branding campaign rather than systemic change, why psychological safety is inseparable from operational safety, and how silence in the cockpit or boardroom leads to risk. She explains why inclusion should be embedded into pilot training as a required competency, why emotional intelligence belongs alongside technical skill, and how leaders can shift from “I-frame” individual fixes to “S-frame” system solutions.

They discuss how DEI rollbacks reveal which organizations were truly committed, why allyship must extend to all—including men in positions of power—and the fatigue marginalized groups feel carrying the burden of proof. Kimberly closes with practical “micro-allyship” actions and advice for young women in aviation: don’t conform or gaslight, strive to be an ally, and use small, consistent acts of inclusion to reshape the system itself.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Opening Reflections on DEI Rollbacks

01:34 | Season Seven Recap & Why This Conversation

04:44 | Introducing Dr. Kimberly Perkins

06:08 | Was DEI Ever on Solid Ground?

09:20 | Safety, Innovation, and Silencing Voices

12:41 | Psychological Safety in Aviation Teams

14:21 | From I-Frame to S-Frame: Systemic Solutions

17:33 | Allyship, Fatigue, and the Burden of Proof

21:21 | Message to Young Women Entering Aviation

24:26 | Micro-Allyship Toolkit: Small Acts, Big Change

27:15 | Rollbacks, Military Aviation, and Funding Gaps

30:46 | Final Thoughts and Call to Collective Action

Follow Dr. Kimberly Perkins

Website: www.kimberly-perkins.com

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Kimberly Perkins⁠⁠

Follow Shaesta Waiz

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ shaestawaiz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shaesta Waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaesta.waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaestawaiz⁠⁠⁠

Shaesta Waiz on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: YouTube (Aviate Platform)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠www.massifsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TallawahWorldwide.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices