In celebration of International Women’s Day, Nav Canada is highlighting women who help keep the skies safe every day, and learn how they inspire inclusivity for women in aviation.

Nav Canada strives to make a difference in the aviation industry, to drive social sustainability and diversity by amplifying the voices of women who have been breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. From safely managing Canada’s airspace, to overseeing technical systems, to steering the course of business in the boardroom, the women at Nav Canada have key insights to share from their unique experiences. 

Tracy Lager on creating inclusivity through representation

Growing up as an only child and raised by a single mom, Tracy Lager, air traffic services technology standards specialist, never considered post-secondary education, let alone a future as an air traffic controller. One day while working a waitressing job, she took a leap of faith and responded to a recruitment ad calling for air traffic controllers.

After passing rigorous testing and training, Lager began her career as one of only three female controllers at Gander Tower in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since then, she has held several roles over her 30-year career with Nav Canada, including her latest position, where she helps bridge air traffic control standards and technology. 

Q: What does International Women’s Day (IWD) mean to you personally?

A: Until a few years ago, when my director started taking all the department’s women out to lunch on International Women’s Day, I didn’t even know it was a thing. Those lunches meant a lot to me as we celebrated and were appreciated for our importance and achievements. They reminded me of how lucky women are in Canada, while globally women do not have the same opportunities to achieve the same things we can.

For this International Women’s Day, I’m treating my daughter-in-law and my son’s girlfriend to a luncheon meant to inspire inclusion and celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women. I will also be attending the annual Women in Aviation International Conference in Florida.

Q: If you could share one message to aspiring women thinking about building their careers in this field, what would it be?

A: If I could share a message with aspiring women, I would say, “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re incapable of doing whatever you want!”

I’d also remind them that they have picked one of the most wonderful and rewarding careers possible. I would encourage them to find inspirational female mentors and learn as much as they can, and to try all sorts of different jobs and specialties.

Q: How does your experience at Nav Canada inspire inclusivity for women in aviation?

A: Being a woman in a male-dominated profession has been a tough slog at times, but I feel gratified when I look around me in meetings and I’m no longer the only woman in the room. I am proud of our company when I look at our organizational chart and see seven of the 10 people who report directly to the CEO are women!

Abby Kahlon on staying curious

Abby Kahlon, site manager for the Edmonton Flight information Centre (FIC), Whitehorse Tower and Whitehorse FIC, first began her career at Nav Canada in 2007 within the human resources department. Since then, Kahlon has held several roles within the company. In 2021, she found a position that is both fun and challenging as a site manager, where she serves as the first point of contact for front-line operational employees and handling everything from budgeting to safety related activities, to fostering collaborative communication with external agencies (i.e., airport authorities) and internal colleagues across the country.

Kahlon encourages women to be relentless and curious, and to seek opportunities in the industry, because you never know where your career can take you.

Q: What does International Women’s Day (IWD) mean to you personally?

A: To me, IWD is to respect the women that paved the path for us to be where we are today, and a responsibility for me to continue to build inroads for the girls and women that I interact with in my network. It doesn’t have to be large scale changes, for me it starts with ideas on how to be and do better and support each other in the process.

Q: Which women in aviation inspire you the most and why?

A: Jerrie Mock became the first woman to travel the world alone in her single engine Cessna 180. Patty Wagstaff and her aerobatic flying is also very inspiring and amazing to watch. I appreciate how these women were bold and relentless and didn’t let social and societal norms stop them from following their passion. Inspiration is everywhere if you choose to look for it. It could be global, as the women mentioned, or local — I am surrounded by talented women who support and guide one another in this industry.

Q: How does your experience at Nav Canada inspire inclusivity for women in aviation?

A: My experience and background are not standard, as it didn’t start with my parents planting the ideas or exposing me to the industry, but rather with my own curiosity of the aviation ecosystem. At an early age I was taught to finish what I started, and this lead me down the path of expanding my experience within Nav Canada. After 16 years within the company, I can say we have come a long way and have the right mindset to continue to change.  

I have hope for my children and our future generations, which we are all helping to shape. I hope women can stand tall and not hit a glass ceiling as they make their own impact on this world. I hope we can all be a Jerrie Mock or Patty Wagstaff and be bold and relentless.

Winnie Ng on working for a team that is committed to inclusion

Since joining Nav Canada in 2009, Winnie Ng, manager of software products, is grateful to have found a sense of camaraderie and collaboration in the company, particularly amongst her female colleagues. Winnie finds joy witnessing the growth of other women at Nav Canada as they reach both career and life milestones.

Q: What does IWD mean to you personally?

A: IWD is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, but more importantly it reminds me of the struggles and barriers many women have overcome, and continue to fight for, and not to take what we have today for granted.

Q: Which women in aviation inspire you the most and why?

A: I met Kathy Fox after she retired from Nav Canada, at the 2019 Canadian Women in Aviation event. Her story of how her childhood dream of flying led her to skydiving with over 60 parachute jumps, while completing a bachelor of science degree at McGill University, led to her becoming the first female president of the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association for Quebec at age of 20. This, alongside her stellar career at Nav Canada, inspires me to challenge myself.

Q: How does your experience at Nav Canada inspire inclusivity for women in aviation?

A: I’m proud to work for Nav Canada because they inspire inclusivity amongst their employees. I’ve seen this through their commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging.

Inspiring inclusivity for women in aviation

Nav Canada is steadfastly committed toward achieving greater inclusion and gender equality in the air navigation services industry, and in ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all women.

So far this year, Nav Canada is a proud sponsor of Northern Lights Aero Foundation, Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, Girls in Aviation Day, and Elevate Aviation – organizations and events who help women seek out and thrive in aviation-related careers.