Aviation and aerospace are industries built on innovation, resilience, and pushing boundaries—yet when it comes to leadership, women remain vastly underrepresented. Right now, only 6% of C-suite leaders in these industries are women. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a call to action.
Welcome to Elevating Women in Aviation and Aerospace, the podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of the trailblazing women who are breaking barriers and leading the way. Hosted by Dana Kirchmar, a seasoned aviation and aerospace professional with over 35 years of experience, this show is designed to inspire, empower, and equip women at every stage of their career journey.
Why This Podcast? Dana’s career has been anything but ordinary—she’s worked in mission control for shuttle launches, flown in autopilot test flights at nearly Mach 1, and contributed to cutting-edge aerospace innovations. But throughout her journey, she’s also faced the reality of being the only woman in the room, navigating biases, and breaking through barriers that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
Through Elevating Women in Aviation and Aerospace, Dana is on a mission to share real, unfiltered conversations with the women who have fought to reach the top—so that the next generation of leaders doesn’t have to fight the same battles alone.
What Can You Expect? Each episode features in-depth interviews with women who have climbed to the highest ranks in aviation and aerospace. You’ll hear from C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and change-makers who have paved the way for others. These are women who have:
Led groundbreaking aviation projects and startups Shattered stereotypes and navigated male-dominated spaces Fought for their seat at the table—and then built a bigger table Advocated for change and redefined leadership We’ll dive into their journeys—their triumphs, their challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. You’ll also hear solo episodes from Dana, where she shares actionable insights, leadership strategies, and real-world advice to help you elevate your own career—whether you’re just starting out or aiming for the executive suite.
Who is This Podcast For? This podcast is for: ✔ Emerging leaders looking for mentorship and guidance ✔ Established professionals who want to continue growing and making an impact ✔ Aviation and aerospace allies who are passionate about advancing women in leadership ✔ Anyone who believes in breaking barriers and redefining what leadership looks like
Why Should You Listen? Because representation matters. Because if you can see it, you can be it. And because the aviation and aerospace industries need more women at the controls—whether that’s in the cockpit, the boardroom, or the innovation lab.
This podcast isn’t just about sharing stories—it’s about building a movement. A movement where we lift as we climb, where we support and empower each other, and where we ensure that the next generation of women in aviation and aerospace doesn’t have to fight the same battles alone.
When Can You Tune In? New episodes drop [weekly/bi-weekly—insert preferred schedule], so be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Whether you’re looking for career inspiration, leadership advice, or just a reminder that you’re not alone in this journey, you’ll find it here.
Join the Movement Let’s elevate women in aviation and aerospace—together.
Subscribe now and let’s take flight!