Ambassadors
Champions | |
Ana Vieira da Mata | Ms. Ana Vieira da Mata began her aviation career in 2000 and has held several positions at the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). In November 2021, she was appointed Member of the Board of Directors of ANAC. In this role, she oversaw Economic Regulation, Consumer Protection, Human Resources, Financial Resources, and Procurement. She became Chairman of ANAC’s Board of Directors in January 2024, expanding responsibilities to airworthiness, operations, facilitation, and security. In December 2025, she was elected the first woman to chair the Management Board of EASA and has served on the Board of JAA-TO since 2021. She holds a postgraduate degree in Business Engineering, a Master’s in Management and Strategy, and a degree in Business Management.
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 Egbert Field |
Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field is a veteran aviator with more than 54 years of experience in the aviation industry, beginning his career at age 18. He developed a passion for aviation in childhood, inspired by aircraft operating near his home in Meadow Bank, Georgetown. Over the decades, he has served in numerous aviation roles in Guyana, where he currently serves as Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). In this role, he leads efforts to elevate Guyana’s aviation sector to world‑class standards. He received the Golden Arrow of Achievement in May 2019 for exceptional national service. He is widely recognized for his commitment to aviation safety and regulatory development. Working with national and international partners, including ICAO, he continues to strengthen aviation safety, oversight, and performance in Guyana.
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 George Mashababe |
George Mashababe is the current Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe from 1 April 2025. He previously served in the capacity of Director, Air Accidents and Incidents Investigation under the Ministry of Transport – Zimbabwe. He is an Aviation SME who served and accumulated over 38 years of aviation carrier experience ranging from Aircraft Maintenance, Aviation Safety and Security regulation, Aircraft Accident Investigation, Air Transport Development and provision of related training. He received Korea Aviation Safety Institute - Korea Aerospace University Best Achievement award in recognition of his best achievement - AFCAC Aircraft Accident Investigation training program 13-21 November 2023.
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 Rayhan Mario Wanniappa |
Mr. Rayhan Mario Wanniappa is an experienced aviation leader with more than two decades in civil aviation regulation, safety oversight, and international cooperation. He previously served as Acting Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). He currently serves as Deputy Director General (Air Transport and Security Regulation), contributing to strengthening Sri Lanka’s aviation regulatory framework. He has played key roles in international cooperation, including as ICAO USOAP National Continuous Monitoring Coordinator and National Coordinator for COSCAP–South Asia. He has represented Sri Lanka in more than 200 bilateral air services negotiations and numerous high-level ICAO meetings. He holds an Advanced Master’s in Air Transport Management from ENAC, France, is an Attorney‑at‑Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, and actively promotes leadership, diversity, and next‑generation aviation professionals. |
Ambassadors | |
 Alice Goodwin | Ms. Alice Goodwin is an Engineering Manager at Virgin Atlantic and a 2024/25 UK DfT Aviation Ambassador. She leads technical teams responsible for fleet maintenance, ensuring aircraft safety, reliability, and integrity. She began her aviation career at 17 with a private pilot’s licence scholarship, inspiring her path in aerospace engineering. She progressed through roles including Flight Operations Engineer, Avionics Engineer, and aircraft asset management. She currently serves as Manager of Avionics and Mechanical Systems, overseeing critical aircraft systems. She is a passionate public speaker and mentor, promoting aviation careers for underrepresented groups. Her outreach and advocacy efforts focus on improving diversity and access within the industry. She was named a Top 50 Woman in Engineering (2025) and received a Women in Aviation International scholarship to Harvard.
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 Arianna Ciani | Ms. Arianna Ciani was born and raised in Italy, in Velletri. After earning her law degree, she obtained a Ph.D. from the International Doctorate School of Law and Economics “Tullio Ascarelli” at the University of Roma Tre. She began her career in the aviation field with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) in 2008 in the Contract Department and joined the ENAC Legal Bureau in 2010 where she worked until 2022. She was then appointed as Director of Human Resources. Since 2013, she has participated in international groups and activities, as member of the ECAC Legal Task Force and of the ECAC Diversity and Inclusion Network, and as delegate to the ICAO Diplomatic Conference (2014), the ICAO Legal Committee (2018, 2021, and 2024), and ICAO Assembly (2025). She was appointed as Alternate Representative of Italy to ICAO in 2025. |
 Carlos Alcántara | Mr. Carlos Alcántara is an aeronautical professional with 50 years of experience in various disciplines of civil aviation. He joined the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics of the Dominican Republic as an Air Traffic Controller on April 1, 1975. He is certified by ICAO as a TRAINAIR instructor and holds certificates as an air traffic controller, flight engineer, and aircraft dispatcher. He currently serves as Technical Coordinator of the General Directorate of the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute, in addition to practicing psychology and teaching. He is a professor of several subjects at the Higher Academy of Aeronautical Sciences (ASCA). He holds a degree in Clinical Psychology, with master's degrees in Mental Health Clinic and Public Management, as well as specializations in Aviation Psychology and Psychometrics. He has been a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) in the international affiliate category since 2008. |
 Essa Abdulla Al-Malki | Mr. Essa Abdulla Al-Malki is the Director of the Air Transport Department at Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA). He previously served as the first Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to ICAO, where he established Qatar’s Permanent Mission in Montréal and led its engagement with the ICAO Council, Assemblies, and subsidiary bodies. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in firmly positioning Qatar within the Organization and contributed significantly to shaping its institutional presence. Through active participation in negotiations, committee work, and high-level forums, he strengthened Qatar’s appearance across key ICAO bodies and supported the advancement of national priorities in air transport and international aviation policy. |
 Françoise Dehaye | Ms. Françoise Dehaye has been Regional Director of Civil Aviation at Transport Canada since August 2023. She joined Transport Canada in 2003 as an inspector in the civil aviation sector of the Quebec Region, after working with a regional carrier for 10 years. She has over 35 years of experience in aviation. Before accepting the position of Regional Director of Civil Aviation, Françoise served for almost 3 years as Regional Director of Transport Security and Emergency Preparedness. |
 Isabel Maestre | Ms. Isabel Maestre is an Aeronautical Engineer with advanced qualifications in public management and coaching. She began her career in airline technical management, holding leadership roles in aircraft maintenance quality and engineering. She also led aviation projects for Aena through the public company INECO. She served as Director of the Air Traffic Controller Training School at SENASA. She was the first Executive Director of Spain’s Aviation Safety Agency for nearly 14 years. She currently works at SENASA as Deputy Director of Prospective and Innovation, focusing on new business development. She has represented Spain on the Management Board at EASA and contributed to rail safety governance. She has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to aviation safety and leadership. |
 John Kueth Muok | Mr. John Kueth Muok is an aviation professional with academic training from the Kenya Aeronautical College, specializing in Maintenance of Aircraft Avionics, and prior studies in Aeronautical Engineering at the Sudan University of Science and Technology. His career spans progressive roles within the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, including Assistant Inspector, Senior Inspector, Deputy Head of Aviation Safety and Flight Operations, Assistant Director of Airworthiness, and currently Principal of Airworthiness at the Directorate of Aviation Safety and Standards. He has also served in various leadership and community roles, including positions within student associations and the South Sudan Referendum Commission. |
 Levan Karanadze | Mr. Levan Karanadze is Chairman of the Supervisory Council of SAKAERONAVIGATSIA, Georgia’s ANSP. He previously served as Counsellor to Georgia’s First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. He held multiple leadership roles in the Georgian CAA, including Director from 2018 to 2022. Earlier, he worked as an en route air traffic controller and still holds a valid ATCO licence. He began his career in environmental policy, focusing on air pollution and climate change. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgian Aviation University and teaches Air Law as an Associate Professor. He has held key international roles, including Vice President of the ICAO Assembly (2019). He also served as President of EUROCONTROL’s Permanent Commission and chairs ICAO EUR EASPG meetings. |
 Luqman Rasheed | Mr. Luqman Rasheed is the Deputy Director General of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with over 26 years of experience in aviation safety oversight, airworthiness, personnel licensing, and air transport regulation. He has led major regulatory reforms aligning Pakistan’s aviation framework with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
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 Marcela Braga Anselmi | Dr. Marcela Braga Anselmi has served as Head of the Environmental and Energy Transition Office at Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) since 2023. She has also been Brazil’s nominated member to the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) since 2021. From 2021 to 2023, she served as Head of the International and Environmental Office, during which time she was the principal international adviser to ANAC’s Director-President. She has been a member of the Brazilian delegation to ICAO at several major international events, including the 41st ICAO Assembly in 2022, the ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in 2023, and the G20 Energy meetings in 2024. Dr. Anselmi holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Brasília. Her research focuses on private actors, climate governance, and carbon markets.
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 Marie-Pier Berman | Ms. Marie-Pier Berman is Vice President and Chief of Operations at NAV CANADA, leading national air traffic services delivery. She oversees safe, efficient, and cost-effective ATS operations, including standards, flight operations, and aeronautical information management. Raised in Montreal with a strong aviation background, she began flying at age 12. She holds Private, Commercial, and Multi-IFR licenses and an Aviation Management credential, and has flown commercially. She joined NAV CANADA in 2003 as an IFR Air Traffic Controller. She has held senior roles including Shift Manager, Manager of Operational Training, and General Manager of the Winnipeg FIR. She served as Assistant Vice President during COVID-19 and became VP & Chief of Operations in 2022. She is a strong advocate for mentorship, diversity, and inclusion, and serves on the Elevate Aviation Board.
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 Marilu Arroyo Hernandez | Ms. Marilu Arroyo Hernandez began her aviation career as a Cabin Crew Member for the airlines Grupo TACA, TACA, and Martinair, a role she held for more than ten years. During this time, she was certified on aircraft including the Boeing 737, Airbus 319, 320 and 321, as well as Embraer. She currently serves as the Head of the Document Management Process within the Operational Safety Department and is a member of the National Continuous Monitoring Coordination (NCMC) team. In her role, she leads the institutional process for monitoring and responding to international audits such as USOAP CMA, USAP CMA, FAA IASA, among others. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is currently in her third year of Law studies, further strengthening her professional profile with valuable legal knowledge within the regulatory framework of the aviation sector.
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 Paola Plá Puello | Ms. Paola Plá Puello is Deputy Director General of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) with over 15 years of experience in the public aeronautical sector. She has served as Secretary of the Civil Aviation Board and the National Facilitation Committee. She has led Air Services Agreement negotiations and reforms in civil aviation law, including security, tax incentives, consumer rights, and air transport facilitation. She holds a Law Degree from the National Institute of Aeronautical and Space Law (INDAE), Buenos Aires. She is President of IDAC’s Gender Committee and advocates for inclusion and professional development. Ms. Puello has participated in several important international aviation forums, including the First Women in Aviation Summit in Latin America by CLAC, LATAM and ALTA aviation conferences. Her work focuses on education, technical training, sustainability, innovation, and regional integration in Latin America.
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 Rizwan Uddin | Mr. Rizwan Uddin is the Additional Director Legal at the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with over 12 years of experience in civil aviation law and regulatory development. He holds an LL.M. and an MBA, with strong expertise in regulatory frameworks, enforcement, and compliance systems. He has contributed significantly to strengthening PCAA’s legal and regulatory structures, including handling enforcement of statutory violations. He played a key role in aligning PCAA regulations with ICAO SARPs under the Chicago Convention. He has also served as a focal point for coordination with ICAO and international aviation forums. As Deputy National Continuous Monitoring Coordinator, he managed ICAO USOAP-CMA activities and worked closely with ICAO auditors.
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 Saltanat Tompiyeva
| Ms. Saltanat Tompiyeva is Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport. She has over 25 years of experience in civil aviation, starting her career in 1998 in aviation security. She has held numerous roles across strategic planning, airport regulation, international relations, and airspace operations. From 2012 to 2019, she led international relations and air transport and served as Chief State Aviation Inspector. In 2025, she was named among Kazakhstan’s Top 25 Most Influential Women for her leadership and impact on aviation.
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 Tasphaporn Jiasakul | Ms. Tasphaporn Jiasakul is a dedicated aviation professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in airport and airside operations. She currently serves as Director of the Airside Service Division at Phuket International Airport. Her expertise spans aerodrome safety management, low visibility procedures, disabled aircraft recovery, and regulatory compliance under ICAO and CAAT standards. She has represented Thailand at several high-level international forums and has helped position Thailand as a leader in the global aviation community. Her early interest in aviation inspired her academic pursuits, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree in Air Traffic Management, which provided her with a strong foundation in air traffic operations, aviation safety, and operational coordination.
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 Tomoko Hoya | Ms. Tomoko Hoya is the Group Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at ANA Holdings Inc., leading sustainability strategy, legal, insurance, and ESG initiatives. She began her career in 1992 as a cabin attendant at All Nippon Airways, gaining frontline aviation experience. She transitioned to management in 2001, working in public relations and administration at Narita Airport. In 2018, she became Vice President for Administration in Asia & Oceania, supporting regional growth from Singapore. She was appointed Vice President of Airline Management in 2022 at ANA Holdings. In 2024, she led Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives as Vice President.
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 Upuli Sachithra Warnakula | Dr. Upuli Sachithra Warnakula is an aviation professional with over 20 years of experience, serving as a Cabin Supervisor and IATA-certified instructor. She plays a key role in operational excellence, safety, and training future aviation personnel. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Kelaniya, becoming Sri Lanka’s first cabin crew member to achieve this. She also holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in business management. She serves as a university lecturer, academic researcher, corporate trainer, and motivational speaker. Her expertise includes leadership, emotional intelligence, professional etiquette, and personal branding. She is Vice President and founding member of Women in Aviation Sri Lanka and supports NGAP initiatives.
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