SkyTeam Launches 2026 RISE Women’s Leadership Development Program, Empowering Women in Aviation

Meet the women advancing leadership in aviation through RISE.

LONDON, 8 APRIL 2026 – SkyTeam has launched the fourth edition of its RISE Women’s Leadership Development Program. The 2026 kickoff event, hosted by Virgin Atlantic in London, brought together participants from the global alliance’s member airlines.

With the theme of ‘Career Progression Through Elevation of Leadership Skills,’ the program's curriculum will cover three educational blocks: ‘Impactful and inclusive leadership,' ‘Nurturing mentoring relationships’ and ‘Effective communication skills.’ The 2026 RISE cohort comprises 29 total participants, representing a broad range of functional roles across operations, finance, commercial, information technology and other key areas of the industry.

“While progress has been made, women remain underrepresented across many areas of aviation, especially in leadership roles. As a global alliance, we recognize our responsibility to help create meaningful change together with our member airlines. Through RISE, we provide an empowering platform for women to accelerate their careers, build lasting networks and fully embrace their leadership potential,” said Patrick Roux, SkyTeam CEO.

Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic, added,“At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world, and RISE creates the opportunity for women to step forward as leaders and accelerate their careers. We’re proud to host this year’s program and to stand alongside SkyTeam in backing the next generation of female leaders. When we remove barriers and elevate our people, we don’t just strengthen our airlines, but we help shape a more inclusive future for aviation.”

“RISE was established to support women across SkyTeam in growing their careers and leadership capabilities with confidence. Now in its fourth year, I continue to be inspired by the drive of both past and present participants. This year, we are further investing in a curriculum focused on impactful, people-centric leadership, providing a springboard for advancement and helping make our industry more inclusive,” said Evgenia Starkova, VP of Strategy & Marketing at SkyTeam.

Following the London kick-off, participants will progress through the nine-month program, completing the curriculum in November 2026. RISE will culminate in a practical project focused on developing a personal leadership action plan that participants can use as a catalyst for continued advancement after the program concludes. 

Women soaring in aviation across SkyTeam

Meet four inspiring RISE participants advancing leadership and representation for women in aviation.

Trudo McDonald, Manager - International Customer Experience at Delta

"I began my aviation career over 35 years ago, and starting out as a woman—while also moving to the U.S. from another country—made the path especially challenging. Navigating cultural differences and male‑dominated environments required resilience and confidence, which continue to shape my leadership today.

Representation and peer networks have been essential, reinforcing belonging and growth. I was drawn to RISE for its focus on community and leadership development, and I hope it enables my next career step while allowing me to uplift other women in aviation."

Lainie Seo, Team Lead - Cabin Product Strategy at Korean Air

“Early on, as often the only woman in engineering meetings, I realized that technical expertise is the foundation, but it’s the ability to bridge gaps between silos that truly drives progress. My time with Korean Air has been a masterclass in collaboration. To me, representation is proof of possibility. When I started as an engineer, seeing other women in technical roles gave me a clear path to follow.

I’m drawn to RISE as I transition from a technical expert to a global leader within SkyTeam. Through this program, I hope to sharpen my ability to lead large-scale change, bridging the gap between technical feasibility and commercial ambition to deliver real value to our travelers. My goal is to use the visibility and skills gained from RISE to advocate for diversity in aviation's technical sectors.”

Chef Hari Kamaluddin, Senior Manager – Inflight Food & Beverage Development at Virgin Atlantic

“At Virgin Atlantic, I’ve been given incredible opportunities to grow, working with teams and partners around the world to bring our food vision to life for customers. That exposure has strengthened my confidence, broadened my understanding of the business and supported my progression into leadership.

Peer networks have been equally important. Hearing how other women have navigated their careers in a traditionally male-dominated industry has been both reassuring and inspiring. I’m excited to join RISE to learn from women across the SkyTeam alliance and gain new perspectives that will help me shape the next five years of my career, continue strengthening my leadership skills and create the space for my team to thrive.”

Maud Audibert, Program Manager - End User Services at Air France

“Representation gives the feeling that leadership is accessible. Seeing women navigate strategic or technical roles has often inspired me. Growing as a woman in a technical environment has pushed me to develop confidence, resilience and a collaborative leadership style.

I joined the RISE program because I want to connect with women across the SkyTeam alliance and learn from their experiences. Networks are important; they create a space where we can share honestly, support and grow. They remind us that we’re not alone. I’m also hoping to gain new leadership tools and better understand how other companies drive transformation and innovation.”

-ENDS-

About RISE: Reach, Inspire, Soar and Empower

The RISE Women's Leadership Development Program was created to take women's leadership to new heights across SkyTeam and its member airlines. Since its launch in 2022, the program has aimed to foster greater inclusivity within alliance members and the broader aviation industry. SkyTeam was the first airline alliance to unanimously commit to IATA’s 25by2025 initiative in 2021, and the RISE program has since supported our members in advancing this commitment.

Through a series of development opportunities, training sessions and practical assignments, RISE is designed to empower high-potential female leaders to strengthen their management, communication and leadership skills. The annual program seeks to nurture talent, accelerate career growth and encourage participants to serve as role models, paving the way forward for future generations of women in the aviation industry.

About SkyTeam

SkyTeam is the global airline alliance dedicated to transforming the future of travel by powering the smartest and most integrated customer journey. With a focus on innovation and responsibility, SkyTeam and its members work together to connect customers across an extensive global network of 945+ destinations. SkyTeam offers 750+ airport lounges, award-winning SkyPriority airport services and makes travel more rewarding through its members’ loyalty programs. SkyTeam members are Aeroflot (suspended), Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Xiamen Airlines.

About Virgin Atlantic   

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2025, the airline was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the ninth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 9,250 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations throughout the year.   

Alongside shareholder and partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023, as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing SkyTeam’s transatlantic network to and from London Heathrow and Manchester.   

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, X and Instagram @virginatlantic.