The aviation and airport industries encompass a wide range of career paths and opportunities related to air travel and transport, from airside and landside jobs to work in terminals and even off-airport jobs like publishing.
This month, Metropolitan Airport News focuses on women in the aviation industry, including women-owned businesses in and around the New York metropolitan area airports. We asked each of these featured women questions about their careers, work in their respective areas of the industry, women in leadership, and sustainability, and here, we offer their one-on-one insight in their own words.
In sharing their experience and passion for the aviation and airport industry, their work honors the women who have come before them and, today carry their legacy into the 21st Century.
Tanya Austin
Operations Manager, Red Tail Flight Academy
For more than twelve years, Tanya Austin has worked in the aviation field as a first responder, brand ambassador, and customer service representative to travelers worldwide, as operations and safety manager, representing regional and global carriers such as Delta Airlines and United Express. Tanya has worked in charter, private, and commercial aviation. She has been passionate about her work with nonprofit groups such as Black Pilots of America and Tuskegee Airmen Inc., where she is a national board member and Eastern Region Representative. Tanya is an active member of Women in Aviation International, the Organization for Black Aerospace Professionals, Sisters of the Skies, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Tanya contributes her spare time supporting those who need help in these and other organizations. Tanya is an aviation business owner and commercially rated pilot. She is a Certified Aviation Safety Manager. Tanya has over 25 years of sales, service, and management experience and has worked for both government and private sectors. Tanya attended Kaplan, where she completed studies in business and real estate. She also has an international mediator certification. >> Read More from Tanya Austin
Jennifer Baxmeyer
Executive Director, Cradle of Aviation Museum
Jennifer Baxmeyer is a dynamic and accomplished museum executive passionate about cultural education, community engagement, and organizational leadership. With over a decade of experience in the museum sector, Jennifer has a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, fostering inclusive environments, and building impactful educational programs. Jennifer has held various leadership roles throughout her career, including Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Education at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY.
In these positions, she has successfully managed all aspects of museum operations, including budgeting, staff management, and strategic planning. Jennifer’s collaborative approach and innovative thinking have led to the implementation of transformative projects, such as installing a Digital Planetarium and modernizing museum infrastructure. Jennifer’s dedication to educational excellence and community outreach is evident in her work to expand educational programs, increase school visits, and establish partnerships with local schools and organizations. >> Read More from Jennifer Baxmeyer
Alyssa Burke
Director of Operations and Logistics, The ARK at JFK
Alyssa Burke joined the ARK at JFK team in January 2019 to expand her knowledge and expertise in the aviation industry. Alyssa is responsible for daily operations, including oversight of the daily equine import and export operations, coordination of all ground movements, management of the human resource department, and building security.
Alyssa comes to The ARK with several years of Human Resource experience from one of JFK’s largest ground-handling companies. She specializes in billing, payroll, employer-employee relations, labor law compliance, employee training and development. Alyssa has a passion for helping others and emphasizes team building. She always looks for new ways to develop and maintain administrative systems, policies, and procedures. Alyssa is a vital member of the team at The ARK at JFK. With all that she has accomplished thus far, she still aims to continue learning and developing her knowledge of the aviation industry to continue her upward trajectory in her career. >> Read More from Alyssa Burke
Denise Erickson
Vice President, Airport Division, Duty Free Americas
Denise Erickson is the Vice President of the Airport Division at Duty Free Americas (DFA) North America. She oversees Miami International Airport, Terminal 7 at JFK International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Denise is responsible for the day-to-day Duty Free operations of four airports and 40 stores to include: airport relationships, business development, staffing, marketing, customer service, brand assortment and distribution. She works with local agencies to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations pertaining to DFA business.
Denise has been in the travel retail industry for 28 years. While attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, she began her career with Fenton Hill International/Duty Free International. She started at DFA in 1995 as a supervisor in JFK Terminal 7 while finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Merchandise management. Her career accelerated soon after, and she was promoted to the General Manager position at Terminal 7. In 2001, Duty Free Americas acquired DFI, and Denise’s role expanded to Regional Manager overseeing LGA, Boston, Cincinnati, BWI, and JFK. In July of 2020, Denise was promoted to Vice President of the Airport Division. >> Read More from Denise Erickson
Mayra Fazio
General Manager Facilities & IT, Delta Air Lines
Mayra Fazio is the General Manager of Facilities and IT for Delta Air Lines Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport. She manages the network used to support the organization’s critical systems and customer phasing systems, the terminal’s security and surveillance system, creates departmental processes and procedures, and works closely in coordination with the Port Authority, the TSA, and other stakeholders in the security system. Ms. Fazio previously served as the Systems Support Project Manager at JFK International Airport Terminal (JFKIAT); Special, Technical Senior Project Manager at NACO – Aruba Airport Authority; Program manager for Oxford Airport Technical Services, and has over 27 years experience in airport operations, focusing on relationships with owners, contractors, operations, and all project associates. >> Read More from Mayra Fazio
Teresa Ferraro
President & CEO, East/West Industries, Inc.
Teresa Ferraro is the President & CEO of East/West Industries, an SBA-certified Woman-Owned Small Business/Women’s Business Enterprise (WOSB/WBE) company in Ronkonkoma, NY. East/West has over 55 years of dedicated service in the design, development, and manufacturing of aircraft seating systems and other critical components for military aircraft crew safety in both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.
Ms. Ferraro has a 40-year track record of success providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership at the rapidly growing company her parents founded in 1968.
She is known for her exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to resolve multiple and complex challenges while motivating staff to peak performance. Over the last eight years, she led the most significant business expansion in East/West’s history, including the move to a new facility and a recent expansion, which increased the company’s footprint by 50% and led to almost doubling its workforce. Ms. Ferraro has utilized her skills to create successful business relationships with major aerospace and defense contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed, Sikorsky, and Northrop Grumman. Ms. Ferraro led East/West’s success as the 2018 Boeing Supplier of the Year. >> Read More from Teresa Ferraro
Klaudia FitzGerald
Chief Operating Officer, LaGuardia Gateway Partners
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the manager and developer of LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B, appointed Klaudia FitzGerald as Chief Operating Officer in November 2023. FitzGerald joins LGP’s now majority-women-led executive leadership team from AvAirPros Inc., where she most recently served as the JFK Terminal One operator’s Senior Director of Operations.
A seasoned operations leader in the airport industry, Klaudia oversees LaGuardia Airport Terminal B’s commitment to safety, security, and operational performance. Her career stretches across two decades. Most recently, she concluded a 12-year tenure with JFK’s Terminal One operator AvAirPros in various operations roles leading up to Senior Director of Operations. Additional aviation industry experience includes roles with a registered travel program, Clear, covering product launch and management, employee relations, regulatory compliance, and marketing and sales. >> Read More from Klaudia FitzGerald
LeSher Harvey
Commercial & Compliance Manager, JFK Millennium Partners
During the day, LeSher Harvey is a Commercial & Compliance Manager for JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) at Terminal 7, a role she has held for over a year. In her free time, she’s the founder and leader of JMP’s “People of Passion” (PoP) community outreach group, a 17-member strong team of JMP staff that volunteers their time to support initiatives in the local Queens community.
At T7, LeSher manages and optimizes the Terminal’s commercial operations and ensures compliance with standards and regulations. She oversees the development and management of concession spaces within the Terminal, fostering partnerships with vendors and ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and regulatory requirements, all while ensuring a great passenger experience. Prior to joining JMP, which is part of Vantage Airport Group – LeSher worked for over a decade in the retail industry, most recently in senior positions at Gap, Inc. and Primark. LeSher has always been passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. Over the last six months, the JMP PoP team has worked closely with the Saratoga Family Residence at Jamaica-based Homes for the Homeless. They’ve organized terminal-wide toy and school supplies drives and a resume-writing workshop for the Shelter’s 255 families, with plans to collaborate further this year. >> Read More from LeSher Harvey
Shehla Iftekhar, MSEd., CRC, LMHC
Academic & Career Advisor, Aviation Management, York College
Shehla Iftekhar is an Academic & Career Advisor for York College Aviation Management, which is under the Business & Economics Department. Shehla loves every aspect of her role at CUNY York College. Prior to joining CUNY Aviation Management, her work has earned her several distinguished human rights advocacy awards at the New York State level and beyond. Shehla has earned her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication Studies from CUNY Baruch College and dual graduate degrees with distinction in Mental Health Counseling and Vocational Rehab Counseling from Hofstra University in New York.
Shehla is also a TEDx Speaker, who can speak in 5 different languages.
Shehla effectively advocates on behalf of students with financial hardships, disabilities, foreign students or students who are simply leaning towards Aviation as their major. She helps students realize that hard work and perseverance can be a vital step forward to being employed at or even before graduation in the Aviation Industry. The many facets of Aviation are unknown to most students. Shehla makes it her daily duty to inform and mentor students to find a path to a robust career in Aviation. She keeps in mind job retention is harder than just finding a job. Therefore, her effort is to make sure there is a good balance of academics and work experience with a satisfactory salary. >> Read More from Shehla Iftekhar
Stacey Lora
Vice President Safety & Security, JFKIAT
Stacey Lora, Vice President Safety and Security, manages Terminal 4’s safety and security program. She ensures that T4 is focused on achieving a zero-accident culture and adhering to all security-focused regulations while working closely with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police, the Transportation Security Administration, and US Customs and Border Protection, among others.
Ms. Lora previously served as a security manager for American Airlines and has more than 20 years of experience in aviation operations. >> Read More from Stacey Lora
Dr. Maxine Lubner
Professor & Chair of the Management, and formerly Aviation Departments, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Dr. Maxine Lubner is a Professor and Chair of the Management and, formerly, Aviation, Departments at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, New York City. Previously, Dr. Lubner was appointed Executive Director of the City University of New York (CUNY) Aviation Institute at York College and a faculty member at New York University’s Graduate School of Social Work. She has conducted research in the areas of aviation safety, human factors, and aviation education. She holds an FAA Private Pilot Certificate. She obtained an undergraduate B.A. and a graduate B.A. (Hons) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She earned her M. Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University, New York. >> Read More from Dr. Maxine Lubner
Julia Moris
Senior Manager of Customer Experience, JFKIAT
Few names resonate as profoundly as Julia’s in customer experience management. With a career spanning over a decade, Julia has championed the cause of enhancing customer satisfaction, leaving an indelible mark across industries and continents. Since 2021, she has served as the senior manager of Customer Experience at JFK International Air Terminal.
JFKIAT has steered the terminal towards new heights, ensuring every passenger’s journey is marked by efficiency and satisfaction, aiming to create incredible journeys for all coming through. Before her tenure at JFKIAT, Julia honed her expertise at Hospital Corporation of America, Deloitte & Touche, Highgate Holdings, and Marriot & Preferred Hotels. Spearheading transformative initiatives and advisory in the U.S., South America, Europe & Asia. Beyond career, Julia channels her passion towards philanthropic endeavors. >> Read More from Julia Moris
Nancy Vargas
Chief Executive Officer, DH2 Chauffeured Transportation
Nancy Vargas has provided ground transportation service throughout the entire New York metropolitan area since 1995. Thanks to Nancy’s innovative business strategies, DH2 Chauffeured Transportation has enjoyed continued growth despite regional and national economic downturns. Starting with the diversification into corporate transportation in 2016, Nancy expanded the business into new market segments such as government contracts, airline flight crew, construction mobility, hotel shuttle service, employee shuttle service, and corporate events.
Nancy was a candidate for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society Man and Woman of the Year, and in 2023 became involved in the LLS Leadership Team. Nancy has received five Chamber Alliance Awards, Business Woman of the Year, Power Women in Business, CEO of the Year, and Transportation Woman of the Year. >> Read More from Nancy Vargas
Diana Santiago
Aviation Program Manager & FAA Liaison, BOCES Western Suffolk – Wilson Tech Aviation Facility
Diana Santiago started her career at Aviation High School, obtaining her Airframe and Powerplant certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration. She then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Transportation Planning from Dowling College. She also holds concurrent Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Education from Dowling College. Diana is in the process of completing her postgraduate degree in Leadership from Stony Brook University. In addition to her FAA certifications, Diana holds her FCC & EPA license and NYS teachers’ certifications in Aviation Maintenance and Occupational Coordination.
Additional career endeavors include working at the Department of Energy at Brookhaven National Labs in their transportation division and Vaughn College as their Manager of Aviation Partnerships and Alumni Coordinator. For the past 20 years, Diana has taught Aviation Maintenance Technology to high school students at the Wilson Technological Facility. Throughout her career, Ms. Santiago has received numerous commendations, citations, and awards for her contributions to education and the aviation industry. >> Read More from Diana Santiago
