Inclusion in Aviation 2025
November 17-19, 2025 | Bellevue, WA
Presented in Partnership with
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About the Event
Sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment is critical to industry success and growth. Join industry leaders at AAAE/Northeast Chapter AAAE Inclusion in Aviation 2025 as we discuss key areas of focus and different strategies, along with a variety of implementation methods for the greatest impact in your environment.
Keynote Speakers
Valerie Alexander
Valerie Alexander is a globally recognized speaker, author, and advocate for workplace happiness, inclusive leadership, and the advancement of women. Her TED Talk, How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias, has over a million views and is used as a training tool worldwide. Valerie has spoken for Fortune 500 companies, NASA, the U.S. Naval Academy and more, blending humor, research, and real-world insight to inspire change. She’s the bestselling author of Happiness as a Second Language and other books on success and gender equity. A former tech exec, Hollywood screenwriter, and startup founder, Valerie now lives outside
Atlanta with her husband and their dog, Vegas, Baby!
Sarah Keimig
Sarah is a mother of four, a U.S. military veteran, and a trusted voice in the culture and belonging space. She began her journey at Alaska Airlines nine years ago as a customer service agent and now leads transformative efforts that foster connection, inclusion, and engagement across the company.
Her leadership is rooted in empathy, presence, and systems thinking. As the architect of a reimagined approach to employee communities, Sarah unified 13 individual groups into an enterprise-wide program, tripling the number of BRG leaders and significantly expanding participation. She also leads inclusive leadership development, turning learning into a journey grounded in reflection, growth mindset, and accountability.
She believes trust is the currency of leadership, and that collaboration and empowerment will shape the future of work. Sarah is committed to creating a culture where guests feel genuinely welcomed, communities see their values reflected, and employees are thriving and believe they belong.
Click below for last year's agenda. Please check back for updates on the full 2025 agenda.
CEU Credits
This event qualifies for the A.A.E. Continuing Education Units (CEU) Program. Learn more.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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Registration
4 - 6 p.m.
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Welcome Reception
5 - 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Philadelphia International Airport
Thursday, November 7, 2024
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Registration
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Continental Breakfast
8 - 8:45 a.m.
Sponsored by Michael Baker International
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Welcome Remarks
8:45 - 9:15 a.m.
Maria Bremis, Senior Vice President, Compliance, Diversity & HR, AAAE
Darren Large, A.A.E., Director Facilities & Operations, Morristown Airport, President, AAAE Northeast Chapter
Atif Saeed, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia International Airport
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Session I – Breaking Barriers: Diversity in Leadership and All Levels
9:20 - 10:10 a.m.
Hear from diverse industry leaders about the obstacles they faced to their professional growth, how they overcame them, and how they are working to ensure diversity in all levels of aviation organizations.
Moderator: Darren Large, A.A.E., Director Facilities & Operations, Morristown Airport
Panelists:
- Atif Saeed, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia International Airport
- Eboni Wimbush, President & Chief Executive Officer, Airport Minority Advisory Council
- Kris Hallstrand, Airport Director, Lakeland Linder International Airport
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Refreshment Break
10:10 - 10:40 a.m.
Sponsored by C&S Companies
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Session II – ESL Challenges, Opportunities, and Successes
10:40 - 11:30 a.m.
Not all airport employees or travelers are proficient English speakers and airports must consider and address the needs of these individuals. Learn about the challenges that are faced, lessons learned, and successes in creating ESL friendly programs and services.
Moderator: Zachary Sundquist, A.A.E., Assistant Airport Director, Portland International Jetport
Panelists:
- Zainab Beydoun, A.A.E., Deputy Director, Landside Services, Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
- Angel Ramos, A.A.E., Airport Director, Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
- Andrew Martz, A.A.E. Assistant Airport Director, Eugene Airport
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Session III – Creating Inclusive Experiences for Diverse Travelers
11:35 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.
In this session, industry leaders share the innovative ways they have approached the needs of diverse travelers and created more comfortable, empowering and inclusive environments and experiences.
Moderator: Tracy Guerrero, Program Manager, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Panelists:
- Api Appulingam, A.A.E., Chief Development Officer, Philadelphia International Airport
- Kevin Kline, Community Engagement Manager, GoodMaps
- Linell Olecki, CM, Northeast Aviation Market Sector Lead, AECOM
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Keynote Luncheon
12:25 - 2:10 p.m.
Sponsored by Mead & Hunt
Speaker: Deesha Dyer, Founder and President, Hook & Fasten, Former White House Social Secretary, Co-Founder beGirl.world Global Scholars, Author Undiplomatic
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Session IV – DEI Lessons Learned
2:10 - 3 p.m.
DEI programs have unique challenges and while well intentioned, some efforts fail. This session explores when DEI programming efforts didn't go as planned but lead to achievements.
Moderator: Sunshine White, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Delaware North
Panelists:
- Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Port of Seattle
- Shawn Smith, Senior Vice President, Culture and Strategy, Denver International Airport
- Vanessa Chin, CM, Innovation Section Manager, King County International Airport – Boeing Field
- Juan López-Rios, CM, Deputy Director, Long Beach Airport
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Refreshment Break
3 - 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Urban Engineers, Inc.
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Session V – DEI-A-Thon
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Table Sponsors: Beyond Decadence, Inc.; LaPonda J. Fitchpatrick, Training and Consulting for the Real World; and Morristown Airport.
Once again, we are borrowing from the tech world by applying the hack-a-thon concept to diversity, equity and inclusion in aviation by bringing together attendees to engage in collaborative solution driven conversations and develop new ideas. We will have table discussions led by moderators and will come together at the end to discuss the ideas and solutions generated. Topics this year will include allyship, psychological safety, cultural fluency, neurodiversity, and DEI challenges at smaller airports.
Moderator: Maria Bremis, Senior Vice President, Compliance, Diversity & HR, AAAE
Table Moderators:
- Allyship – Matthew Heil, CM, Deputy Aviation Director, Strategy, Policy & Administration, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- DEI Challenges at Smaller Airports – Darren Large, A.A.E., Director Facilities & Operations, Morristown Airport
- Psychological Safety – LaPonda Fitchpatrick, ACE, Owner/Principal Consultant, Training and Consulting for the Real World
- Cultural Fluency - Kirsten Berg, Project Manager – Aviation, Mead & Hunt
- Neurodiversity – Heather Karch, AV Facilities & Infrastructure Manager Engineer, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
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Evening Event
5:30 - 8 p.m.
Hosted by Philadelphia International Airport
Friday, November 8, 2024
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Continental Breakfast with DEI Trivia/Scavenger Hunt
8 - 9 a.m.
Sponsored by DY Consultants
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Session VI – How to Navigate the New DBE/ACDBE Rules: A Primer
9 - 10:10 a.m.
The FAA has issued final rules intended to modernize the DBE/ACDBE Program. This session will walk attendees through the new rules and provide recommendations for implementation.
Moderator: Denise Bailey, Deputy Director of Aviation, Business Diversity and Accessibility, Philadelphia International Airport
Panelist: Alexander Horton, DBE/ACDBE Compliance Specialist, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
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Refreshment Break
10:10 - 10:25 a.m.
Sponsored by AECOM
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Session VII – DEI Trend Talks
10:25 - 11:35 a.m.
In these 20 minute talks, attendees will learn about measuring diversity, pets at the airport, and the anti-DEI trend. Specifically, "A Case Study in Measuring Diversity", "The PHL Experience: How Pets are Contributing", and "How to Address the Emerging Anti-DEI Trend".
Speakers:
- How to Address the Emerging Anti-DEI Trend
- Donna Stephans, Vice President of DEI & Workforce Development, Philadelphia International Airport
- A Case Study in Measuring Diversity
- Anita Cobb, Market Leader – Aviation Equity Strategies, Mead & Hunt & Courtney Johnson, CM, Airport Director, San Lius Obispo County Regional Airport
- The PHL Experience: How Pets are Contributing
- Harvey Finkel, Tester / Observer, The Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- Harvey Finkel, Tester / Observer, The Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- How to Address the Emerging Anti-DEI Trend
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Closing Remarks
11:40 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Registration Fees & Deadlines
You acknowledge that in registering for and attending this AAAE event, you agree to adhere to the cancellation policy noted below, AAAE's Duty of Care, and AAAE's Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions.
If you are not seeing the correct pricing appear for your member type, please contact member.services@aaae.org to complete your registration for this event.
2025 Registration Fees
| On/Before October 3, 2025 |
After October 3, 2025 |
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|---|---|---|
| AAAE/IAAE Member | $800 | $900 |
| Non-Member | $900 | $1,000 |
| Federal Government | $500 |
$550 |
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Student*/Faculty |
$350 |
$350 |
AAAE accepts registration regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, physical disability, and national or ethnic origin. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, and educational services. If you require any special assistance to participate or have special dietary requirements, email aaaemeetings@aaae.org.
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations and cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received before Friday, October 24, 2025 are subject to a $125 processing fee and will be processed after the meeting takes place. There will be no refunds after this date. Substitutions will be accepted without penalties and no-shows will be billed. For all inquiries regarding cancellations and refunds, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0504 or email aaaemeetings@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy.
NOTE: AAAE reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event if the number of registrants is insufficient; due to acts of God; or any other reason beyond AAAE’s control. In this event, we will notify all registrants and credit the full registration fee towards another AAAE meeting, product or service. However, any costs incurred by the registrant, such as hotel cancellation or airline penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant. Confirmation letters will be emailed to attendees within two weeks of receipt of registration. However, if you have not received a confirmation email two business days prior to the meeting, and you enrolled at least two weeks prior to the meeting, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0504 or AAAEmeetings@aaae.org. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund.
Media Access Policy
AAAE reserves the right to grant at its sole discretion access to TV, radio and print media organizations or individuals that have registered and received prior authorization from AAAE at least 72 hours prior to an AAAE event they wish to cover. Due to the sensitive nature of some discussions, not all sessions at some AAAE events will be open to media. AAAE retains the sole right to grant or refuse media access for any event or section of an event it operates.
Photo/Video Disclaimer:
By registering for and attending any AAAE event, you agree that your image may be used at any time, without further notification, for printed materials, web sites, social media and other marketing purposes.
Hotel & Travel
Hotel Accommodations
Downtown Bellevue, Washington
Rooms are being held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 10777 NE 10th St, Bellevue, Washington, 98004. All attendees will receive a special rate of $239/night single/double occupancy, exclusive of applicable room taxes and fees*. The last day to receive this discounted rate is Wednesday, October 27, 2025. Rooms may sell out before this date so make your reservations today!
*Subject to tax and fees, which currently total 14.5% + $2.50 TPA City of Bellevue Tax.
Transportation
Airline Information
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have been selected as the official air carriers for this meeting. When booking United, refer to the offer code ZQ59414458. When booking Delta, refer to meeting code NY3L2.
United Airlines has been selected as one of the official air carriers for this meeting. United Airlines is pleased to offer discounts of 2% to 10% off published fares. Save an additional 3% by booking your own reservations at www.united.com. Choose your flight times, and access your meeting discounts by inserting ZQ59414458 in the Promotions and Certificates Offer Code box. Or Call your travel professional or United Meetings at 800.426.1122 for reservations. Refer to Z Code ZQ59 and Agreement Code: 414458.
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for American Association of Airport Executives Please click here to book your flights! You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3L2.
*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
Ground Transportation
Check back for ground transportation information.
Contact Information
Questions? Contact Us!
Program & Sponsorship Information
Maria Bremis
703.797.2528
Registration & Hotel Information
Stephanie Santini, CMP, DES
571.560.1854
Press & Media Inquiries
Brian Kalish
703.575.2461
