The Ascent of Aviation’s Inspiring Women Leaders

The Middle East continues to make remarkable strides in empowering women economically, with over 23,000 Emirati businesswomen leading projects valued at in excess of AED 50 billion. Women now hold 15% of board positions across chambers of commerce and industry nationwide, reflecting a growing presence in leadership roles. 

This progress is strengthened by the UAE Gender Balance Council’s initiatives, which aim to enhance female participation in key economic sectors; among these, aviation has emerged as a strategic focus, with the government setting ambitious targets to boost women’s representation and drive innovation across the industry. 

Our Aviation Practice proudly support clients in building outstanding leadership teams reflective of the diversity and ambition that define aviation today.  

In the sixth part of our Women Leaders in Aviation series, Dr. Mariam Ketait and Kinda Sarrage join together to compare their routes into the field, challenges faced, and advice for those looking to start their career in aviation. 

Read our previous article, Aviation Flight Plan: The Power of Mentorship for Women Leaders, where the where the Head of Communications for Boeing Saudi Arabia, together with the Co-Founder of the Middle East Aviation Research Centre share their valuable insights.  

Dr. Mariam Ketait is Middle East, Turkey, Africa and Central Asia Lead - Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience at Boeing, and brings extensive experience in establishing public-private partnerships, developing innovative health and well-being strategies, and driving digital transformation initiatives across government, healthcare, and the private sector.  

Kinda Sarrage is Regional Vice President at Acron Aviation where she is responsible for product and service sales across multiple divisions, including: data analytics, simulation products, training Services, airline academy programs and avionics. 

Journey Into The Aviation Industry And Inspiration 

Mariam’s journey into aviation has been unconventional but deeply rooted in her passion for innovation, global connectivity, and the role that technology plays in shaping industries.

Commented Mariam: “Over the years, my work has evolved to include aerospace, where I focus on bridging the gaps between emerging technologies, policy, and human-centred innovation. Aviation, especially in the UAE and MENA region, is a powerful enabler of economic growth, diplomacy and sustainability, making it an exciting space to contribute to”.  

Kinda, an Arab American with Lebanese/Syrian roots, moved to the Middle East after completing her master's degree in international business. She initially joined a venture capital fund in Jordan that was establishing a flight school, which marked her entry into the aviation sector. Over the years, she has held various roles in sales, business development, and strategy with companies like CAE and L3Harris, covering regions such as the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey.  

Challenges Faced As A Woman In The Aviation Industry 

Mariam outlined that aviation, like many STEM-driven industries, has historically been male-dominated and that one of the biggest challenges is navigating leadership spaces where women are underrepresented and having to constantly validate expertise. “Another challenge is ensuring that diversity efforts go beyond representation and truly foster inclusive decision-making. However, I’ve also seen positive change, with more women stepping into leadership roles and a growing recognition of the need for diverse perspectives in shaping the future of aviation”, she added.  

Kinda highlighted the stereotype that aviation is a male-dominated field and the lack of awareness about the diverse roles available. 

She also mentioned that while there is respect for women in the region, there are limited opportunities for women to move up to higher leadership positions.  

Effective Initiatives And Programs Supporting Women In Aviation 

Programs that combine mentorship with tangible career pathways tend to be the most effective. In the Middle East, organisations such as the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter and initiatives by companies like Aerospace Xelerated are creating more opportunities for women.

“However, we need more structured pipelines. Programs that not only encourage women to enter the industry but also support them in advancing to leadership roles. I also see potential in cross-industry mentorship, where women in aviation can benefit from leadership development programs in technology and policy sectors”, commented Mariam.  

Kinda also referenced the Women in Aviation Middle East initiative as well as IAWA, which support women in the industry through mentorship and networking. She also noted that companies like Boeing and Airbus have their own initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.  

Identifying Rising Stars And Talent Shortages 

“Rising stars are typically identified through a combination of technical expertise, leadership potential, and strategic vision”, said Mariam. Individuals who can navigate the complexities of regulation, digital transformation, and sustainability in aviation are in high demand. One example is the increasing focus on aerospace startups; companies working on electric and hydrogen-powered aviation are attracting talent that blends engineering, AI, and policy expertise.   

In Kinda’s own experience, she actively sought to hire more women for her team by specifically looking for female candidates. However, despite her efforts, she faced challenges due to the limited number of female applicants, which underscores the need for more targeted recruitment and support for women in the industry.  

Advice For Young Women Aspiring To Enter The Aviation Field 

The women leaders offered the following advice: 

• The importance of networking and support. Be part of organisations and communities that support women in aviation. Such networks provide valuable support and advice for women to lift each other up and succeed in their careers.  
• Understand the industry. Aviation is a broad and dynamic industry with opportunities in various fields beyond flying, such as legal, commercial, sales, marketing, IT, engineering, and innovation. 
• Be curious and empathetic. Strong communication skills, empathy, and a sense of curiosity are crucial. 

Whether your organisation is looking to build a more inclusive leadership pipeline, explore innovative talent strategies, or simply begin the conversation around gender equity, we’re ready to support you every step of the way. 

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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.