Aviation
Aviation Flight Plan: The Power of Mentorship for Women Leaders
3 min read
Effective mentorship and role models can help address the underrepresentation of women in Middle Eastern aviation.
Despite the Middle East’s rapid advancements in aviation, the region still faces a significant gender gap in the workforce. Women’s labour force participation remains among the lowest globally, standing at just 19.2%. In Saudi Arabia, while 78,356 women held senior management positions in 2024, the employment-to-population ratio for Saudi women is only 31.3% - a figure that underscores the untapped potential of half the population. Overall progress is in motion, but there’s still a long way ahead.
Odgers’ global Aviation Practice partners with leading airlines, airports, regulators, and aerospace organisations to identify and develop transformative leadership.
In the fifth article of our Women Leaders in Aviation series, Dr Nadine Itani, together with Dr Zaina AlHejin, share their individual career journeys, the many opportunities for women in this industry, as well as the importance of career mentorship.
Read our previous article, Professional Propulsion: How Aviation Is Empowering Leading Women in the Middle East, where we explore the career paths of a leading aerospace communications leader, and the Deputy CEO for Academic Relations, Governance, and Student Experience at the Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA).
Dr Nadine Itani, Co-Founder, Middle East Aviation Research Center, has supported government agencies, airlines and airports in commercial strategy, capacity-building and organisational development for over 15 years. Nadine is also Programme Leader and Lecturer in Air Transport Management at the University of Surrey.
Dr. Zaina AlHejin is Head of Communications for Boeing Saudi Arabia, leading the company’s communication strategy to strengthen business partnerships and support localisation, industrial participation, and talent development. She also champions youth and women’s advancement in aerospace through initiatives like “Pick Up Your Wings and Fly,” connecting young Saudi women with aviation and STEM opportunities.
Motivation Towards a Career in Aviation
Zaina's start in the aviation sector was driven by an opportunity in corporate social responsibility within an aircraft manufacturer.
With a background in strategic roles, and despite the steep learning curve, Zaina was captivated by the scale and impact of the aviation sector.
Over time, she recognised that effective communication could bridge the gap between innovation, policy, and people and that’s where she found her passion.
Nadine explained her inspiration: “From an early age, I was deeply fascinated by international exposure and the idea of country representation. One of my earliest inspirations came from watching the Olympics. I was always captivated by the moment when the flags of the top three winners were raised and their national anthems played. That sense of global connection and national pride resonated with me, and I knew I wanted a career that involved international engagement and the representation of my country on a global stage.
Aviation naturally aligned with that aspiration. It is an industry that transcends borders, connects people and economies, and plays a vital role in shaping global interactions. This inspired me to pursue a career in aviation, where I could contribute to an industry that embodies international collaboration, innovation, and progress.
Challenges Faced As A Woman
Zaina identified awareness and representation as a significant challenge, citing that the stereotype that aviation is a male dominated field persists, and the lack of awareness about the diverse roles available in the industry. She also stressed the importance of role models and changing mindsets to encourage more women to pursue careers in aviation.“What really helps is having a senior female mentor, someone who had already been through it and could help you to navigate these circles so you could find your place. Having that kind of support and guidance makes an enormous difference, and it’s one of the reasons I always encourage women in aviation to seek out mentors who can help them break through those barriers”.
Initiatives and Mentorships Supporting Women in Aviation
Zaina points to several impactful local and corporate initiatives that have begun reshaping perceptions. “At my organisation, we’ve collaborated with universities, NGOs, and local partners to expand the pipeline of female talent”, she noted. “Through programs like Pick Up Your Wings and Fly, we use social media storytelling to spotlight inspiring women and offer mentorship opportunities. These stories help young women see themselves in the industry”.
“One of the most impactful initiatives is Women in Aviation Middle East”, added Nadine. “They offer a fantastic range of mentorship, coaching, networking, and professional development opportunities tailored to support women in the industry. What really stands out about this organisation is how approachable and supportive the founders are, they’ve accomplished so much in aviation and are genuinely invested in helping other women succeed.
I highly recommend reaching out to them, whether for mentorship, career advice, or simply to connect with like-minded professionals and attend one of their events. Having access to a strong community like this can make a substantial difference in your journey to a career in aviation.
Aviation Talent Shortages and Development
In the Middle East, talent in aviation is often identified through graduate programs, leadership initiatives, and industry competitions.
While many airlines and aviation authorities invest in developing talent, especially through nationalisation programs, one of the biggest current talent shortages is in aviation technology and digital transformation, where there is a growing demand for cybersecurity specialists, data analysts, and AI-driven operations experts.
Other key shortages include air traffic controllers and sustainability experts as the industry shifts toward greener solutions.
Advice For Starting A Career In Aviation
The aviation leaders shared the following advice for aspiring women:
- Think strategically from the start, both in your personal and professional life. Understand what makes you stand out, identify your competitive advantage, protect it, and work on improving your weaknesses.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Opportunities often go to those who speak up and seek them out - remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil!
- Surround yourself with mentors, build a strong network, and keep pushing forward with confidence.
- Be intentional about your path: Know what differentiates you with your voice, values, and vision and make sure to protect them.
With deep sector expertise and a global network, our Aviation team supports clients in adapting to the complexities of a rapidly evolving industry - whether it’s digital transformation, sustainability, or talent diversification. From C-suite appointments to strategic advisory, Odgers is committed to shaping the future of aviation leadership worldwide.
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Get in touch. Follow the links below to discover more, or contact our dedicated Aviation leadership experts from your local Odgers office here.
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