Women in Aviation Leaders Panel
AIX 2025

Harmony in Leadership: Navigating Vision, Values, and Impact 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

12:30 - 13:30

Chicago Suite, A-Halls 

Overview

Join us for a dynamic and insightful panel discussion featuring prominent women leaders in the aviation industry. This panel will delve into the strategic and practical aspects of leadership, exploring how these leaders balance vision, values, and impact to drive success and innovation.

Event Details:

• Harmony in Leadership: Navigating Vision, Values, and Impact 
• Date: Wednesday, April 9
• Time: 12:30 - 13:30 PM (Doors open at 12:15 PM)
• Location: Chicago Suite, A-Halls
  
  

Join us at AIX for an opportunity to hear from these influential leaders while enjoying a buffet lunch (free for AIX attendees) and networking with like-minded aviation professionals (all ages and genders welcome).

Register above to secure your spot. We look forward to a powerful and thought-provoking conversation that will inspire!

Mervi Moldakainen - Finnair

Mervi Moldakainen is the Director of Technical Procurement at Finnair, a role that places her at the frontline of securing the seamless and cost-efficient technical maintenance services for the Finnair fleet.

Mervi has a strong background in operational management and technical procurement. Her expertise in translating strategy into actionable plans has been instrumental in optimizing Finnair's Technical Operations maintenance costs and maintaining the airline's competitive edge.

As a woman leader in the aviation industry, Mervi embodies Finnair's commitment to diversity and empowering leadership. She promotes and upholds the airline's leadership principles, which focus on co-creating direction, building trust, driving results, and enabling continuous learning and development.

Kara Nishida - Delta

As Director of Customer Experience & Design for Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity, Kara leads the user experience and design for Delta’s seatback entertainment and Wi-Fi platforms. Most recently leading the launch of fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members via Delta Sync Wi-Fi platform and the new smart seatback experience – Delta Sync Seatback. With over 10 years at Delta, Kara has led multiple areas of the onboard customer experience including cabin interior product, design and amenities to deliver an elevated experience for Delta’s ~200 million annual customers.

Kara earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from Boston College and spent several years in Finance in New York before earning her MBA at Duke University. Currently Kara lives in Atlanta with her husband and two young children.

Suzanne d'Arnault  - KLM

Suzanne d'Arnault is the Director of Aircraft & Cabin Services at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and leads a team of high skilled strategic buyers. With more than 18 years at KLM, she's taken on important roles like managing ramp handling for KLM and its partner airlines and looking after cabin maintenance at Schiphol Airport. Her experience in managing operations and leading programs has given her a solid understanding of the aviation world. Suzanne's skills in empowering leadership, innovation, and project management, especially in cabin maintenance, have played a big part in boosting efficiency and quality at KLM. Her love for continuous improvement and commitment keeps KLM at the forefront of aviation innovation.

Michelle Muñoz-Talcott - Viasat 

Michelle joined Viasat in 2017, where she leads marketing for aviation, enterprise and residential segments including commercia aviation, business aviation, aircraft operation and safety, and uncrewed aerial vehicles as Vice-President VCS Marketing. She has over 25 years of marketing experience in the technology and wireless industries including Verizon, Vodafone and Nokia (formally Alcatel-Lucent). Her roles have included working in all facets of marketing and product management as well as international posts in Europe.Michelle received her MBA in international management and marketing from Arizona State University (Thunderbird, American Graduate School of International Management).