At Atlas, we’re committed to inspiring the next generation of aviation leaders. Recently, our CVG office participated in two events designed to showcase the exciting possibilities within the aviation industry.
Atlas welcomes the Purdue University Chapter of Women in Aviation to CVG.
The first event was hosted by Atlas’ Global Operating Operations Center (GOC). Students from Purdue University’s Women in Aviation Chapter attended a dynamic Power Panel featuring Atlas and Polar leaders and toured the FAA Tower at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).
Speakers on the Power Panel included Atlas Air’s Kimberly Black, Director, Business Management, Tracy Duwel, Director, Human Resources Operations, Jamie Handley, Vice President, Express Operations, SOC, 767 Captains Taylor and Shawn Montgomery and Polar’s Ingrid Chariah, Senior Director, Network Planning and Alliances.
Students listen to the Power Panel.
“Connecting with the students from Purdue University was a truly rewarding experience. Their passion, curiosity and drive to shape the future of aviation inspired me,” said Kimberly. “It was a privilege to share my journey and provide guidance. I’m confident these talented individuals will elevate the aviation industry to new heights through innovation and determination.”
“I was honored to join the Power Panel,” said Ingrid. The discussion on breaking barriers in the industry was inspiring. Sharing insights, highlighting challenges, and brainstorming solutions reinforced how vital mentorship is in supporting the next generation of aviation leaders.”
Students got an up-close look at the GOC.
Continued Ingrid, “I’m proud that Polar’s senior management team is over 50% women. It’s important to show women considering aviation careers that bridging gender gaps is possible—and it’s equally important to work toward a future where those gaps no longer exist.”
The second event, the CVG Education Summit, was hosted by the CVG Airport. This gathering showcased the power of collaboration between employers and educators to build a robust talent pipeline for aviation careers.
Atlas has a strong partnership with CVG Airport and actively participates in its Workforce Collaborative, a group of campus employers dedicated to addressing workforce needs.
“This initiative was created to strengthen the talent pipeline for aviation careers by identifying common skills, certifications and key talent sources for high-demand roles across campus employers,” said Leisa Spears Snyder, Director, Workforce Development. “Partnering with education providers has helped deliver real impact.”A standout example of this partnership is the CVG Education Summit, an annual event connecting employers with the local education community.
Leisa (second from right) and fellow panelists.
Leisa participated on the Employer Panel for the 12th Annual Education Summit, which showcased the many different career pathways in aviation to an educator audience. Joining Leisa on the panel were Etain Connor, Director, Community Affairs, FEAM and Jenn Steele, Manager, Human Resources, Amazon.
Leisa and fellow panelists highlighted industry-specific educational benefits and growth opportunities that educators can share with students and helped them understand future workforce needs to better prepare students for aviation careers.
The audience watches the panel.
“The Summit is all about highlighting opportunities for student exposure to, and exploration of the aviation industry,” said Leisa. “We are grateful to partner with CVG in our mission to cultivate top-tier talent for both our industry and our region!”
Events like these demonstrate the power of collaboration and reinforce our ongoing commitment to building a vibrant, diverse and innovative future for aviation.
