Inclusion in Aviation 2024

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

8 - 8:45 a.m.

Sponsored by Michael Baker International

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

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
  
  

10:10 - 10:40 a.m.

Sponsored by C&S Companies

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
  
  

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
  
  

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

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
  
  

3 - 3:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Urban Engineers, Inc.

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
  
  

5:30 - 8 p.m.

Hosted by Philadelphia International Airport

8 - 9 a.m.

Sponsored by DY Consultants

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

10:10 - 10:25 a.m.

Sponsored by AECOM

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
    
    

11:40 a.m. - 12 p.m.