Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Lynda Coffman on DEI, Workforce, and the Future of Aviation

40:50
 
Share
 

Manage episode 504519698 series 2954969
Content provided by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Lynda Coffman—CEO of Women in Aviation International, former United Airlines executive, and Northwestern adjunct professor— about sustaining a qualified aviation workforce while navigating the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lynda shares her journey from being the first female engineer in United’s powerplant group to leading airport operations across 63 stations and founding United Ground Express. She reflects on how DEI has been misunderstood, why access is not about lowering standards, and how systemic, purpose-driven action strengthens aviation’s safety and growth.

They discuss why shrinking the pipeline hurts everyone, how leaders can challenge unconscious bias in real time, and why support networks and “personal boards of directors” are essential for women entering aviation today. Lynda closes with advice to stay rooted in passion, build strong communities, and never let others decide what you are capable of.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Why Workforce Strength Depends on Access
01:49 | Why This Season: DEI Rollback in Aviation
06:18 | Lynda’s Early Career at United Airlines
10:26 | From Engineering to Executive Leadership
14:29 | DEI as Access, Not Lowered Standards
17:06 | Purpose-Driven Action in Corporate Strategy
20:49 | Building Diverse Candidate Slates
23:32 | Leadership, Culture, and Challenging Bias
28:37 | Responding to “Lowering Standards” Narrative
31:34 | Pilot Shortages, Economics, and Safety Risks
35:11 | Advice for Young Women in Aviation
38:09 | Building Sisterhood and Support Networks
39:47 | Leading with Passion for Industry and Members

Follow Lynda Coffman

Website: Women in Aviation International
LinkedIn: ⁠Lynda Coffman⁠

Follow Shaesta Waiz

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ shaestawaiz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shaesta Waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaesta.waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaestawaiz⁠⁠

Shaesta Waiz on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube (Aviate Platform)⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠www.massifsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TallawahWorldwide.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  continue reading

84 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 504519698 series 2954969
Content provided by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Shaesta Waiz and Michael Wildes or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Lynda Coffman—CEO of Women in Aviation International, former United Airlines executive, and Northwestern adjunct professor— about sustaining a qualified aviation workforce while navigating the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lynda shares her journey from being the first female engineer in United’s powerplant group to leading airport operations across 63 stations and founding United Ground Express. She reflects on how DEI has been misunderstood, why access is not about lowering standards, and how systemic, purpose-driven action strengthens aviation’s safety and growth.

They discuss why shrinking the pipeline hurts everyone, how leaders can challenge unconscious bias in real time, and why support networks and “personal boards of directors” are essential for women entering aviation today. Lynda closes with advice to stay rooted in passion, build strong communities, and never let others decide what you are capable of.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 | Why Workforce Strength Depends on Access
01:49 | Why This Season: DEI Rollback in Aviation
06:18 | Lynda’s Early Career at United Airlines
10:26 | From Engineering to Executive Leadership
14:29 | DEI as Access, Not Lowered Standards
17:06 | Purpose-Driven Action in Corporate Strategy
20:49 | Building Diverse Candidate Slates
23:32 | Leadership, Culture, and Challenging Bias
28:37 | Responding to “Lowering Standards” Narrative
31:34 | Pilot Shortages, Economics, and Safety Risks
35:11 | Advice for Young Women in Aviation
38:09 | Building Sisterhood and Support Networks
39:47 | Leading with Passion for Industry and Members

Follow Lynda Coffman

Website: Women in Aviation International
LinkedIn: ⁠Lynda Coffman⁠

Follow Shaesta Waiz

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ shaestawaiz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shaesta Waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaesta.waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @shaestawaiz⁠⁠

Shaesta Waiz on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube (Aviate Platform)⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠www.massifsp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Massif Studio & Production⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TallawahWorldwide.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Tallawah Group⁠⁠⁠⁠

For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  continue reading

84 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play