WAI Conference Sets Keynote Lineup
Maya Ghazal, the first female Syrian refugee pilot, is among a lineup of accomplished women in aviation set to speak at the WAI conference in Long Beach.
headshot of Maya Ghazal, the first female Syrian refugee pilot
Maya Ghazal, the first female Syrian refugee pilot, is among the 2023 WAI Conference speakers. (Photo: Women in Aviation International)

Women in Aviation International (WAI) has lined up the slate of keynote speakers for its upcoming conference in February. The 34th annual edition of the WAI Conference, to be held February 23 to 25 in Long Beach, California, will highlight a range of accomplished women from government and industry, as well as Maya Ghazal, the first female Syrian refugee pilot.

Other speakers include Michelle Parker, Boeing Defense, Space, and Security v-p and deputy manager for the space and launch division; Sherrexcia "Rexy" Rolle, v-p of operations and general counsel for Western Air; retired U.S. Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal, who was the first Black woman to pilot the Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft; Huy Kim Tran, NASA Ames Research Center director of aeronautics; and Susan Ying, Ampaire senior v-p of global operations.