​Norhtern Lights Aero Foundation - Elsie Awards

In fall of 2020, the Northern Lights Aero Foundation announced their 2020 recipients of their annual “Elsie” award, honouring Canadian women who have made outstanding contributions to aerospace. The award is named in honour of aviation trailblazer and human rights advocate, Dr. Elsie Gregory MacGill, a woman who accomplished many firsts for women in aviation. The award recognizes eight outstanding women across seven categories: business, education, engineering, flight operations, government, trailblazer, and rising star. Unfortunately, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the Gala set to honour the award recipients had to be cancelled for this year.
 
We encourage you to check back on the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Facebook Page or their YouTube Page for all the videos and more information on each recipient.
The 2020 recipients of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation “Elsie” Award are:
 
Business Award – Nancy Barber
Nancy Barber was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Operational Industrialization, Footprint and Centra Planning, for Bombardier Aviation in July 2020. She has experience holding key positions with increasing responsibility, including Production, Quality, Customer Delivery Centre, In-Service Supplier Management and Supply Chain.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Education Award – Jo-Anne Tabobandung
Jo-Anne is the Dean of Aviation at the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, where they deliver the only Indigenous post-secondary Aviation program of its kind in Canada, a program that Jo-Anne graduated from herself. Jo-Anne is a champion of students and the Bear clan of the Mohawk Nation and works to ensure a cooperative, inclusive, and culturally relevant class environment and creates learning and employment opportunities.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Engineering Award – Kathryn Atamanchuk, P.Eng., MBA, PMP, FEC
Graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Manitoba, Kathryn began her career at StandardAero as a T56 Service Engineer. For the last 8-years of her career, Kathryn has been an Engineer-in-Residence and Industry Partnerships Facilitator for the Price Facility of Engineering at the same University she graduated from. Kathryn is a strong advocate for women in engineering and aerospace.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Flight Operations Award - Stacey Jackson
Stacey has over 20 years-experience in the aviation industry and has done mountainous, glider and medevac flying. She has a Master of Science in Aeronautics, specializing in human factors and aircraft accident investigation and is a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators and a current aircraft accident investigator with the Air Line Pilots Association. She is also the Canadian representative of the International Federation of Airline Pilot’s Association’s Female Pilot’s Working Group, focusing on issues that affect female airline pilots globally.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Government Award – Lieutenant Colonel Diane Baldasaro
After graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada, Diane received her pilot wings and flew with 435 Squadron in Winnipeg, doing Search and Rescue Air-to-Air Refueling, and Tactical Airlift. She was promoted to Aircraft Commander and then became an Instrument Check Pilot and Squadron Standards Pilot at 436 Squadron in Trenton. After four deployments to Afghanistan, Diane advanced to major as Squadron Aircrew Leader.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Trailblazer Award – Honorary Colonel Kendra Kinkade
After working as an Air Traffic Controller for nearly 20 years, Kendra transitioned to NAV Canada to take on the role of Employee Brand Specialist. Now Founder, Chair and Executive Director of Elevate Aviation, she works to help women in aviation realize their potential. Elevate supports a has a mentorship and bursary program and their Learning Centre inspires the pursuit of careers in aviation.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Rising Star Award – Meagan Extross
Flying from an early age, Megan earned both her Glider Pilot’s License and Private Pilot’s Licenses through the Air Cadet Program where she would graduate as a Warrant Officer Second Class. Attending Seneca College’s Aviation Safety Advanced Diploma Program she became President of the Seneca Aviation Association in her first year. Working as a Research Analyst currently, Meagan provides traffic and safety analysis to support informed decision-making.
To view her award acceptance video, please click here.
 
Rising Star Award – Kathleen Legge
Receiving her wings at the young age of 17 through the Air Cadet Power Pilot Scholarship, Kathleen would go on to complete the Integrated Commercial Pilot Course. Following an exciting season of flying skydivers and working as a dispatcher, she transitioned to a flight-line position, flying cargo on the Cessna Caravan.  In addition to being Assistant Chief Pilot, Company Aviation Safety Officer and Marketing Manager for Maritime Air Charter, Kathleen is also the Director of Flight Operations.
To watch her view acceptance video, please click here.
 
If you would like to read more about these amazing women who have made outstanding contributions to Canadian aviation, please visit the Northern Lights Aero Foundation website here.
Click Here to return to the articles page.