Women in Aviation International (WAI) CEO Lynda Coffman said during this year's Farnborough International Airshow that the 36-year-old non-profit organisation is stepping up its global expansion plans to build a stronger international network, remove financial barriers to membership and inspire more women to pursue careers in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Coffman, who has a 30-year career history at United Airlines culminating in her role as president of the airline and founding president of United Ground Express, said WAI currently has around 20,000 members, the majority based in the US. The organisation is now focused on raising its international profile across Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.
WAI has more than 100 chapters in the US and is working to establish more chapters across Europe, including the UK, as well as in Asia and Africa. Recent additions include new chapters in Thailand, Singapore, Eastern Europe and several African countries. Coffman said there is significant energy around building UK chapters.
To support international expansion, WAI has restructured its fees. Coffman said annual membership costs US$59, but the organisation looked at areas of the world and their economic index to lower fees where needed, resulting in a two-thirds decrease in dues in some areas. The financial shortfall has been covered entirely through donations from WAI's board of directors.
WAI's global mentoring programme uses artificial intelligence to match mentors and mentees based on their experience, career goals, location and professional challenges. Coffman cited last year's Mentor of the Year recipient, based in Dubai, who successfully mentored a member in the US as an example of the programme's international reach.
Coffman noted that despite the name, around 20% of WAI's members are men, and two board members are male. She said the organisation does not discriminate and welcomes male allies.
