Saturday, March 8, 2025
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Air Canada and CAE have announced the eight recipients of the 2025 Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships, supporting Canadian women pursuing careers as commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. The scholarships aim to promote diversity in aviation and are awarded in partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
Supporting Women in Aviation
Established in 2019, the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship honors Air Canada’s first female pilot and aims to inspire young women to pursue aviation careers. Administered by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, the scholarship is available to Canadian women enrolled in flight training programs or aircraft maintenance courses across the country.
As per the Government of Canada’s Women in STEM initiatives, gender diversity in aviation remains a priority. According to Transport Canada (tc.canada.ca), women make up a small percentage of commercial pilots, and programs like this scholarship are vital for industry growth.
Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources, emphasized the importance of fostering female talent in non-traditional aviation roles, stating that diverse perspectives enrich the industry.
Similarly, Marie-Christine Cloutier, Vice President of Performance and Strategy at CAE, highlighted the role of the CAE Women in Flight Ambassador Program, which provides mentorship and scholarships to aspiring female pilots.
Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
This year’s Air Canada awardees:
- Kimberly Ballantyne – Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Aymie Rioux – Quebec City, Quebec
- Liv Letourneau – Port Moody, British Columbia
- Trisha Virdee – Innisfil, Ontario
CAE’s Women in Flight Ambassadors:
- Neghat Hidari – Mount Brydges, Ontario
- Kayla McNeely – SW Calgary, Alberta
- Arpan Srawn – Edmonton, Alberta
- Miriam Roumia – Waterloo, Ontario
Encouraging Female Leadership in Aviation
Judy Cameron, who became Canada’s first female Boeing 777 captain, expressed pride in seeing young women thrive in aviation, noting that many recipients actively mentor and encourage others. The scholarship winners will be honored at the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Gala on October 4, 2025.
Air Canada & CAE’s Commitment to Diversity
Since 2019, Air Canada has contributed $20,000 annually to fund this initiative. In 2023, CAE joined the effort, expanding opportunities through its Women in Flight Ambassador Program. The Canadian aviation sector is increasingly supporting female talent, aligning with the Government of Canada’s aviation workforce development strategies.
Pathways for Aspiring Women in Aviation
Women interested in aviation careers can apply for scholarships through the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. Additionally, Transport Canada provides regulatory guidance on flight training and licensing requirements for aspiring pilots and aircraft engineers.
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Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
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