AVIATE with Shaesta

Why Ignoring DEI Is Aviation’s Biggest Safety Risk with Kathryn Creedy


Listen Later

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about DEI, highlight the business case for inclusion, and explore how cultural resistance, policy rollback, and outdated work rules threaten both profitability and safety.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


Follow ⁠Kathryn Creedy

  • LinkedIn: Kathryn Creedy

    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

      • ⁠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

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        AVIATE with ShaestaBy Shaesta Waiz, Michael Wildes

        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        4 ratings


        More shows like AVIATE with Shaesta

        View all
        The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast by Jason Miller

        The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast

        379 Listeners

        Uncanny Valley | WIRED by WIRED

        Uncanny Valley | WIRED

        456 Listeners

        Hangar Talk - An Aviation Podcast by AOPA

        Hangar Talk - An Aviation Podcast

        110 Listeners

        Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News by Max Trescott | Aviation News Talk Network

        Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News

        764 Listeners

        Uplink with Shaesta Waiz & Michael Wildes by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        Uplink with Shaesta Waiz & Michael Wildes

        0 Listeners

        StRest with Kerstin Lindquist by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        StRest with Kerstin Lindquist

        65 Listeners

        The Lounge by Sarah Kalmeta by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        The Lounge by Sarah Kalmeta

        0 Listeners

        LD Aviation Podcast by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        LD Aviation Podcast

        0 Listeners

        Date with Destiny with Captain Behnam by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        Date with Destiny with Captain Behnam

        0 Listeners

        The Real Mortgage Guru with Harrison Schwartz by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        The Real Mortgage Guru with Harrison Schwartz

        0 Listeners

        The CLIMB with Teko Bailey: For Men Ready to Rise in Purpose by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        The CLIMB with Teko Bailey: For Men Ready to Rise in Purpose

        2 Listeners

        Stuck: Wrongful Convictions in Jamaica with Andrew Wildes by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        Stuck: Wrongful Convictions in Jamaica with Andrew Wildes

        0 Listeners

        The Inside Track with Michael Wildes by The Frequency Network: The Wave

        The Inside Track with Michael Wildes

        0 Listeners