Author: Metropolitan Airport News

Since January 2016, Brooklyn Blend has been a staple Black-owned juice bar and health food restaurant in the Brooklyn community, known for providing healthy smoothies, shakes, nutritious food, and fresh juices from our juice bar. We are passionate about inspiring and encouraging a wellness-focused lifestyle, especially within communities that are underserved and overlooked. What began as a way to assist our parents throughout their retirement, evolved into a desire to positively impact our culture for generations to come. What inspired the creation of BKLYN Blend?  Keishon Warren: BKLYN Blend is built on the motto, “Spread[ing] Love, It’s the Brooklyn Way!”…

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. According to a 2024 New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) economic report, New York airports support more than 454,000 aviation related jobs, and aviation jobs are high paying and outperform many jobs in other sectors of the economy. 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…

Leslie Bresnaider is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker and logistics executive with more than 30 years of experience navigating the complexities of international trade. She currently serves as National Director of Customs Brokerage and Compliance at Savino Del Bene USA, where she leads high-performing teams, drives operational modernization, and ensures regulatory excellence in an increasingly complex global environment. She also serves as President of the JFK Airport Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association, representing and advocating for the customs brokerage and freight forwarding community at John F. Kennedy International Airport—one of the world’s most dynamic cargo gateways. A respected industry…

Debbie Brown has been employed in the aviation industry for almost 20 years. She joined the Port Authority of NY & NJ in 2017 and has recently taken on the role of Business Manager at JFK Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) Division. Throughout her career, her enthusiasm for serving others through civic, private and professional settings started off at a young age. After raising her sons and completing her education, she embraced aviation with passion and purpose. A strong believer in mentorship, Deb dedicates her time to guiding students, interns, graduates, and professionals through programs that build confidence and open…

Gursonia Clair is a Data Engineering Manager at Kubrick Group, where she has worked for over four years across multiple industries, including insurance and aviation. Originally based in the UK, Gursonia relocated to New York City in 2024. She holds a BSc in Biomedical Science and an MSc in Chemistry and Drug Discovery, bringing a scientific and analytical foundation to her work in data consulting. Since being placed with an aviation client through Kubrick Group over a year ago, Gursonia has become a subject matter expert in maintenance planning and ATA coding, delivering multiple data solutions that support operational efficiency…

Donna Draghi-Lemay is a seasoned aviation and technology executive, currently serving as Director of IT Products and Systems for The New Terminal One at JFK, where she helps drive the technology vision for the next-generation international terminal opening in 2026. Previously, Donna held senior leadership roles in IT at JetBlue Airways for over fifteen years, overseeing airline IT operations and complex enterprise systems. A proven program management leader, she is known for aligning technology with business goals, steering large-scale portfolios, and delivering impactful projects. At the New Terminal One, Donna leads a team to deliver resilient, passenger-centric platforms that power…

Catherine joined the Cradle of Aviation Museum in 2012 after completing college. For many years, she worked in the Education Department charged with supporting the education mission of the museum through activities and curriculum for school-aged children in aviation and STEM. Catherine transitioned to Deputy Director of the Museum two years ago. Today, she works toward strategic fundraising efforts, assisting with the day-to-day operations, and cultivating community partnerships in an effort to help expand the Museum’s reach. How did you begin your career in aviation or at the airports? Catherine Gonzalez: I wrote a letter, if you can believe it.…

Dawn Kelly is the award-winning Founder & CEO of The Nourish Spot Inc., a family-owned, certified MWBE and ACDBE fresh juice and wellness bar she launched in Jamaica, Queens in 2016 with her two children, Owen and Jade Duncan. What began as a reinvention, following her departure from a successful 30+ year career in public relations and marketing, has grown into a trusted community hub for health, healing, and economic opportunity. During National Small Business Week in 2019, The Nourish Spot was named Microbusiness of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (NY District). Dawn has been honored as…

Denecia Marshall, M.A., Ed.M. has prepared students for successful careers in the Aviation Industry since 2023. She serves as an Academic Internship Manager/Industry Organization Specialist at CUNY York College where she specializes in career launch readiness, leadership development, and professional identity for aviation students. Her work emphasizes bridging the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations through experiential learning, career coaching, industry exposure, and leadership skill-building.  A certified coach and educator, Denecia leverages 18 years in finance and 14 years in psychology and higher education to prepare students for the aviation industry. She combines industry rigor with career strategy and student-centered…

Sonjay Murray brings a strong background in community engagement, public service, and customer advocacy to her role at Delta Air Lines. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and her Master of Social Work from Syracuse University, academic experiences that shaped her people-centered approach to service. She began her career with Girl Scouts of the USA as a Membership and Community Development Liaison for the Northeast region, working with diverse communities to expand access and engagement. She later joined the U.S. Department of Justice, contributing to mission-driven work at the federal level. After taking time to focus on…