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On my journey: Elsie Award winners share their favourite stories

The Northern Lights Aero Foundation in May 2018 introduced eight recipients of its 10th annual Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Awards program. Each year, the not-for-profit foundation honours outstanding Canadian women who have made significant contributions in their field of aviation and aerospace, and who continue to lay the groundwork to attract other women to enter or excel in these industries.


September 11, 2018  By Anna Rusinowski

Julie Beverstein

The foundation’s Awards program, called the Elsie Awards, is named after aviation pioneer and human rights advocate Elsie Gregory MacGill, the world’s first female aircraft designer. MacGill graduated from the University of Toronto’s electrical engineering program in 1927 and later became pivotal in the design and production of the Hawker Hurricane in Canada during the Second World War. During her career, MacGill was appointed to the Canadian Royal Commission on the Status of Women and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

On September 29, 2018, these eight women leaders are being celebrated in Toronto at the Northern Lights Aero Foundation’s annual gala (Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel). Anna Rusinowski of NLAF worked with each 2018 honouree to compile their favourite stories so far on their journeys through aviation and aerospace, featured below:

Pioneer Award
Major Micky Colton, Royal Canadian Air Force, retired

Flight Operation Award
Julie Beverstein, assistant chief pilot, recruitment and retention, Porter Airlines

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Government Award
Emily Crombez, captain, WestJet Airlines

Business Award
Julie Mailhot, chief operating officer, Air Georgian

Education Award
Dr. Alexandra Kindrat, educator and research scientist

Engineering Award
Niloofar Moradi, Turbine Design, Pratt & Whitney Canada

Rising Star Award
Larissa Chiu, president, University of British Columbia Aviation Club, and chair of Waypoint Aviation Connections

Rising Star Award
Katie Gwozdecky, MSc candidate, Flight Lab, University of Toronto

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Stories continue below