EAA WomenVenture has aimed to inspire, empower, and break down barriers for young girls and women that dream of flight. Each day, bold women take on the challenge of making their aviation dreams come true and encourage others to do the same.
Join us in celebrating the incredible community of female aviators and aviation enthusiasts! This year’s theme is Lifesaving Missions, highlighting vital roles women play in aviation to protect and save lives.
EAA WomenVenture 2025 Schedule of Events
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Monday, July 21, 2025
7 - 8 a.m. | Yoga | EAA WomenVenture Center
Begin the day grounded and energized with yoga. This class, provided by Carrie Field from Blue Lotus Yoga, will wake up your body and mind before the day's adventures take off. No registration required. Simply join us at the EAA WomenVenture Center and head to the back patio area. All levels are welcome!
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Female Pilots and Social Media | Stephanie Goetz, Hayley Herberg, Thea Allen, Katherine Moloney, and Annie Vogel | EAA WomenVenture Center
Stephanie Goetz
Stephanie is the president and pilot for the Pink Jet - an L-39 Albatros military jet that flies in airshows across the U.S. She is also a flight instructor and flies the Bombardier Global 6000 professionally. Stephanie's impact spans across the business world with her executive communication coaching and leadership training business. She's also a philanthropist, giving out thousands of dollars a year in flight scholarships and other support with her husband Endre Holen to diverse aviation organizations such as OBAP, WAI, NGPA, SOS and more. Stephanie uses her platform of JetGirlStephanie - with 214,000+ followers and 2.3+ million monthly impact - to inspire, educate and empower people to achieve their dream of flight or anything they desire!
Hayley Herberg
Hayley Herberg is an aircraft owner and ferry pilot. Since she earned her pilot's license, it's been her dream to fly her own aircraft and travel the world in a unique way, as well as showcase everything general aviation has to offer. She is a prominent fixture on Instagram with 208,000+ followers and a thriving YouTube channel sharing her love of aviation through flight.
Thea Allen
Thea Allen is a commercial pilot and aircraft owner who flies throughout the Midwest in her experimental Super Cub - an aircraft she grew to love after logging hundreds of hours flying them for banner towing. She has a strong appreciation for aircraft maintenance and hands-on modifications, and uses her platform to share what it’s really like to own, fly, and maintain an airplane. She aims to inspire others, especially women and new pilots drawn to the technical side of flying to step confidently into aviation with curiosity, capability, and a willingness to get their hands dirty.
Katherine Moloney
Katherine Moloney is founder and CEO of Elevate(her) Aviation. She has obtained a Private Pilot's Licence for both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft. Katherine is also the recipient of the IATA 2025 High Flyer award, as well as being a former Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador, and a ground operations volunteer with Spitfire aircraft at Goodwood. She also runs her own aviation social media accounts aimed at supporting and encouraging people in the aviation industry which has a combined reach of over 600,000+ followers.
Annie Vogel
Annie Vogel is a pilot and the founder of Avian Creative, a marketing agency specializing in supporting aviation brands. Known online as "Pilot Annie" with 50,000+ followers, she shares her adventures in general aviation while using social media to inspire others to chase their own flying dreams and explore the world from above.
How to build and use your platform to inspire, influence and educate
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Patty Wagstaff | EAA WomenVenture Center
Patty Wagstaff
Patty Wagstaff is a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team and made history as the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, an achievement she has earned three times. She is renowned for performing exciting low-level aerobatic routines in competitions and air shows for millions of spectators each year. In addition to her flying career, she operates an aerobatic flight school in St. Augustine, Florida, where she places a strong emphasis on safety.
Patty will discuss the importance of upset recovery training to make more confident and safer pilots.
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Saving Lives, One Drone Delivery at a Time | Emme Miller | EAA WomenVenture Center
Emme Miller
Emme Miller is an instructor and evaluator at Zipline, where she develops and delivers training content to support Part 135 drone delivery operations across the U.S. With over three years at Zipline, she has seen its lifesaving impact firsthand in Rwanda at one of the company’s busiest sites that delivers hundreds of medical deliveries per day. Emme also holds a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Zipline’s revolutionary drone delivery system is transforming healthcare access in underserved regions. This session will highlight the profound impact on women, particularly in maternal health, through rapid delivery of life-saving supplies like blood, vaccines, and medications. We'll explore how Zipline not only reduces mortality rates but also empowers women in the aviation and healthcare sectors. Discover how technology and innovation are bridging the gap in critical care and creating a more equitable future.
3 - 4:30 p.m. | Ice Cream Social | Register Free | EAA WomenVenture Center
Start the week off right with a sweet treat and time to socialize with incredible women who are shaping the future of aviation. The WomenVenture Ice Cream Social, presented by Endeavor Air, is your chance to share stories, experiences, and inspiration. Enjoy a fun, relaxed atmosphere as you indulge in delicious ice cream and engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded women who are passionate about flying, empowering one another, and making a lasting impact on the industry.
SOLD OUT
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025
7 - 8 a.m. | Pure Barre | EAA WomenVenture Center
Keep the momentum going with a Pure Barre class. This low-impact, full-body workout is designed to help you build strength, improve balance, and move with ease - perfect for staying energized throughout your AirVenture week. Join us at the EAA WomenVenture Center for a great way to start your day. No registration or experience needed!
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Flight Path: Proving Passion Beats Pedigree in Aviation | Laurel Lindemann | EAA WomenVenture Center
Laurel Lindemann
Growing up, I always had a deep love for air and space, but my greatest passion was astronomy. I was fascinated by the stars, planets, and the vastness of the universe. However, it wasn’t until I attended my very first EAA event as a young girl that my world truly changed. Watching pilots perform breathtaking aerobatics and hearing the roar of jets screaming across the sky ignited a new passion in me: aviation. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a pilot, and nothing was going to stop me from doing it. Starting with zero experience, I pursued my training at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Oshkosh, a city steeped in aviation history. I worked tirelessly, advancing through every stage until I earned my certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate. What makes my story unique is that I am the only person in my entire family to ever become a pilot. No family history or legacy in aviation guided me, just a pure, unwavering love for airplanes and flying. That love fueled every step of my journey, proving that passion and dedication can break barriers and help anyone achieve their dreams in aviation.
A family legacy in aviation can be a helpful head start, but it’s not a requirement to pursue a life in the sky or any facet of the industry. This talk invites aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts from all backgrounds to explore how passion and perseverance can overcome the absence of pedigree. Together, we’ll discuss the challenges faced by those starting from scratch and celebrate the unique journeys that lead to the cockpit or occupation. This is more than a speech; it’s an open conversation. Attendees are encouraged to share their own experiences, struggles, and triumphs, reminding us all that there’s no single path to flight.
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Breaking Barriers: Paving the Way for Women in Aviation | Jen Morgan | EAA WomenVenture Center
Jen Morgan
Jen Morgan is a Quality Control Inspector at Southwest Airlines. She has been with the company for 23 years serving as the first female Inspector based in Dallas, and the second female Inspector overall in the company's history. Before joining Southwest, she served as an Aircraft Mechanic in the Navy, making her a seventh-generation military member. Additionally, she worked at a transport repair and maintenance company, where she gained expertise in sheet metal repairs. Jen was inspired to pursue a career in aviation, specifically in aircraft maintenance, after serving as a JROTC Squadron Commander in high school. This experience allowed her to observe the important work that mechanics do at various military bases. She decided to apply to Southwest Airlines after a former coworker recommended the book "Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success" and encouraged her to obtain her Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license. Although her work is mainly done independently, Jen values the moments when her team comes together for cultural events, like BBQs and holiday parties. She also appreciates the opportunities to attend conferences, give hangar tours, and talk to students about career opportunities in aviation. While she initially aspired to become a pilot, Jen discovered her passion for fixing planes and has since dedicated her career to this field.
In an industry historically dominated by men, women continue to rise, challenge norms, and redefine what success looks like in aviation. This presentation explores the inspiring journey of a female veteran who transitioned to a role in aircraft maintenance within commercial aviation—a field where women remain significantly underrepresented. Through personal insights and real-world lessons, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of creating inclusive spaces where women not only participate—but lead.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
11 a.m. | Group Photo | Boeing Plaza
Put on your EAA WomenVenture 2025 T-shirt and help us capture the spirit of community and celebration! Join us for a group photo with all the fellow women who share a passion for aviation. Whether you fly, fix, design, or simply love being a part of the skies, let's come together and memorialize this inspiring moment!
T-shirt Pick-Up Times:
- Monday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, 9 a.m - 10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | EAA WomenVenture Power Lunch | $10 Registration | Theater in the Woods
Join us at Theater in the Woods to enjoy a box lunch and for our keynote speaker. This is the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by someone who has made significant contributions to the world of aviation. For only $10, you’ll not only indulge in a tasty lunch, but you’ll walk away with valuable knowledge and motivation from an expert in the field.
Register Now
6:30-7:45 p.m. | Rescue Me! | Moderator: Heidi Scott | Theater in the Woods
Heidi Scott
Heidi Scott launched her helicopter career in 2002 with the U.S. Coast Guard, serving eight years as an Avionics Technician and MH-60 Jayhawk Crew Chief. Her passion for rotorcraft led her to flight school at Leading Edge Aviation in Oregon, where she also earned her FAA A&P license and worked as both a mechanic and technician.
She began flying tours in Florida before joining Bristow in 2019, where she flew various helicopters—including the Bell 407, AW119, AW109, and AW139—supporting the Gulf’s Oil and Gas industry.
In 2024, Heidi became Chief Pilot at PHI Aviation, the largest Part 135 helicopter operator in the U.S., where she proudly leads with a focus on safety, quality, and service.
A dedicated mentor and leader, Heidi also coordinates the Vertical Aviation International MIL2CIV workshop and is a proud member of the Whirly Girls, helping military aviators transition into civilian careers.Join us at Theater in the Woods for the Wednesday night WomenVenture Panel Honoring the past and present of women in rescue aviation.
- Rachael Stoner - JAARS
- Lacey Pittman - Rescue/Humanitarian missions
- Annie Paya - Fire fighting helicopters pilot
- Bonnie Wilkens - First woman to fly fire-fighting helicopters in CA
- Elizabeth Latshaw - Samaritan’s Purse pilot
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Thursday, July 24, 2025
7 - 8 a.m. | Pure Barre | EAA WomenVenture Center
Ready for round two? Join us for another Pure Barre session to move, strengthen, and reset your body. This low-impact, energizing workout is the perfect way to stay active and centered during AirVenture. No registration or experience needed—just head to the EAA WomenVenture Center and start your day strong!
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Friday, July 25, 2025
7 - 8 a.m. | Yoga | EAA WomenVenture Center
Start your morning with movement, mindfulness, and fresh air. Join Carrie Field from Blue Lotus Yoga for another uplifting yoga session designed to help you reset, recharge, and take on the day ahead. No need to sign up—just come to the EAA WomenVenture Center and head to the back patio. All experience levels welcome!
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Freedom Aviation Network: How Volunteer Pilots Are Combatting Human Trafficking | Stephanie Lamar | EAA WomenVenture Center
Stephanie Lamar
Stephanie began flying in 1996 and is currently a captain with GoJet Airlines/United Express. In 2020, Stephanie started a volunteer pilot program flying for Rescue 1 Global which has now grown into Freedom Aviation Network. She flies and organizes flights that transport survivors of human trafficking, along with their rescue volunteers, who are taking their first important steps to recovery.
In this inspiring and impactful presentation, Stephanie Lamar, co-founder of Freedom Aviation Network, shares the story of how she — a woman in a male-dominated field — launched a national nonprofit that provides free flights for survivors of human trafficking. By partnering with a network of volunteer pilots, the organization removes one of the greatest obstacles survivors face: safe and immediate transportation. Learn how Freedom Aviation Network is breaking geographic and logistical barriers to help individuals rebuild their lives — and how aviation can be a powerful force for justice and hope.
1:00 - 2:15 p.m. | Aviation: A Dream Without Fences or Borders | Tammie Jo Shults and Aveen Khalaf | EAA WomenVenture Center
Tammie Jo Shults
Tammie Jo Shults possessed an early interest in flying, but she faced various obstacles on her path to becoming a military pilot. Applying her lifelong trait of perseverance, she eventually became one of the first female F/A-18 Hornet pilots in the United States Navy. Her duties, before women were allowed into combat roles, encompassed teaching out of control flight as well as serving as an aggressor pilot against TOPGUN students, other squadrons, ships, and/or entire carrier groups. After concluding her Navy career, she flew over forest fires one summer then became a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Tammie Jo's incredible history and talent received wide acclaim on April 17, 2018, when she successfully landed a Southwest Boeing 737 after an engine exploded at high altitude, causing multiple system failures and rapid depressurization. The successful landing of Flight 1380 in Philadelphia saved 148 total lives including passengers and crew. Tammie Jo’s memoir, Nerves of Steel, is a national best seller in which she encourages others to find what they are suited for and get started. She serves on the Angel Flight Southcentral Board and Pearl Harbor Aviation Board as well as in her church. Tammie Jo started a program, “Navigating Life,” nine years ago with local high-risk elementary age children. She has been awarded the Southwest Airline Flight and Winning Spirit award, the Wings Award of New York, and Outstanding Aviator award, among others. Captain Shults most recently was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.
Aveen Khalaf
Aveen Jasim Khalaf, a young yazidi girl from Iraq, witnessed her family’s harrowing escape from ISIS. Pursued up a mountain, they found refuge in an unfinished building with a family among twenty-eight other families for a year. The building lacked windows, doors, and electricity, and the conditions were extreme, characterized by scorching heat, freezing cold, hunger, and fear. Aveen harbored a secret fear that her opportunity for education in Iraq would never be fulfilled.
A year later, Aveen embarked on a new journey, walking a steep mountain road for forty minutes to and from school, accompanied by her twin younger sisters, who were in first grade, as she transitioned to third grade.
Despite enduring the shadows of ISIS’s atrocities, Aveen nurtured an unwavering dream that would not be deterred by external threats: to become a pilot. With the exceptional guidance of an English teacher and a virtual meeting with Captain Tammie Jo Shults, Aveen began to envision a path towards aviation. They facilitated her membership with Women In Aviation International, and Aveen diligently sought and applied for scholarships.
Initially, her family dismissed her aspiration to become a pilot as mere youthful fantasy, lacking the practicality of traveling abroad. However, their perspective gradually shifted, and they became her most ardent supporters. Her dream had transcended their own, becoming a shared aspiration. During this period, her family continued to relocate at a moment’s notice to evade ISIS’s presence. Despite the challenges, Aveen remained steadfast in her academic pursuits, consistently achieving first place in her class year after year.
After four consecutive applications to the United World College scholarship program, Aveen was finally accepted. The news was met with overwhelming joy and celebration, as if her family had been the recipients of the scholarship themselves.
Aveen embarked on an educational journey from Iraq to New Mexico, joining the United World College (UWC). During the Christmas break, she was invited to spend the holidays with Dean and Tammie Jo Shults, who warmly welcomed her into their extended family. Notably, she achieved a remarkable milestone by piloting an airplane, her second day of her Christmas holiday—it surpassed her wildest expectations.
To start the new year in 2025, Aveen spent time with her amazing English teacher, Miss Pat, who had been instrumental in opening many doors for her throughout her academic journey.
As Aveen concludes her inaugural year of her six-year education in the United States, where she has dedicated herself to rigorous academic pursuits. Since the commencement of summer break, she has engaged in daily studies, flying, and additional ground school activities. As hard as she is working she feels this is a great summer break!Tammie Jo Shults recalls a memorable moment or two in her career and the people who were more important than the airplanes… leading into the significance a single conversation can have in life. For example, a Zoom to a school room in an Iraqi refugee camp, followed by backpacks filled with aviation information, results in a life with a different trajectory. Aveen Khalaf, who now has a six-year scholarship, began her ground school earlier this year and has been airborne this summer — working hard on her private pilot certificate. She came from a place of no opportunity (for her people, the Ysidi of the Kurdish tribe, or her sex, females need not apply in Iraq) to a country ready and eager to teach anyone ready to learn.
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Saturday, July 26, 2025
10:00 - 11:15 a.m. | Learning to Fly Recreationally: Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft 2.0 | Madison Nortz and Margaret Colwell | EAA WomenVenture Center
Madison Nortz
Madison Nortz has been with EAA’s Government Advocacy team for four years, focusing on safety, airport operations, and UAS integration. A Bowdoin College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in government and legal studies, she played a key role in advancing the MOSAIC rulemaking package. Madison is an instrument-rated commercial pilot pursuing her CFI, with plans to earn CFII and MEI ratings, and eventually become an airline pilot.
Margaret Colwell
Margaret Colwell recently joined the EAA Government Advocacy team after earning a degree in human factors psychology with a minor in aviation safety from Embry-Riddle Prescott. A former EAA WomenVenture intern, she now focuses on aviation safety, airspace, UAS integration, and airport compliance while also pursuing a master’s degree in human factors.
Madison Nortz and Margaret Colwell from EAA’s Government Advocacy team will take you through the existing options for learning how to fly, as well as the future pathways through the MOSAIC rulemaking effort. This rule change will provide more affordable, accessible opportunities for anyone interested in learning to fly recreationally.
2:30 - 3:45 p.m. | THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING | Laura Savino | EAA WomenVenture Center
Laura Savino
Captain Laura Savino was a pilot on the B777, B767, B757, B747, B737, A319 and A320 with United Airlines, and is the author of JET BOSS: A Female Pilot on Taking Risks and Flying High.
From underestimated outsider to captain of one of the most complex machines on Earth, Captain Savino lays out a bold blueprint for defying expectations. Step into the flight deck for a candid and often comical journey to becoming an airline pilot, and the headwinds women still face at 35,000 feet.
5:30 - 7 p.m. | Bingo | Register Free | EAA WomenVenture Center
Participate in a chance to win a free designer bag through a relaxing round of bingo, surrounded by a vibrant community of women who have impacted the world of aviation. It’s a fun and laid-back environment that provides the perfect chance to connect with friends and meet new inspiring individuals. Whether you’re looking to unwind, celebrate achievements, or simply enjoy a little friendly competition, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Register Now
WomenVenture Center 2025 Exhibitor List
- Air Race Classic, Inc
- Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation Inc.
- A-WING
- Bessie Coleman Foundation
- EAA Programs & Services
- Freedom Aviation Network
- International Society of Women Airline Pilots
- Latino Pilots Association (LPA)
- National WASP WWII Museum
- Ninety Nines, Inc (The)
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
- Women Military Aviators
- Air Race Classic, Inc
- Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation Inc.
- A-WING
- Bessie Coleman Foundation
- EAA Programs & Services
- Freedom Aviation Network
- International Society of Women Airline Pilots
- Latino Pilots Association (LPA)
- National WASP WWII Museum
- Ninety Nines, Inc (The)
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
- Women Military Aviators
T-shirt registration is now open — order yours today before supplies run out!
We encourage you to wear your shirt on Wednesday, July 23, and join us for our annual group photo at 11 a.m. on Boeing Plaza. We can’t wait to see you all there showcasing the EAA WomenVenture 2025 T-shirt!
Pick up your shirt at the new EAA WomenVenture Center Location on Knapp Street between EAA Press Headquarters and the Forums and Workshops area (presented by Piper Aircraft).
Your shirt will not be mailed even if you choose Regular Mail as a Delivery Method.
T-shirts will be ready to pick up beginning Monday, July 21 and need to be picked up by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23.
T-shirt Pick-Up Times:
- Monday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, 9 a.m - 10:30 a.m.
Congratulations to Katie Bromschwig for creating the winning EAA WomenVenture 2025 T-shirt design!
Katie, while not a pilot, is very plugged into the aviation community.
Her husband’s family has been part of the aviation community forever — they have attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for as long as she can remember. Her husband flies for an airline as did her father-in-law, and her husband’s grandfather flew fighters in World War II.
Katie has always enjoyed crafting, making fun shirts and signs for family and friends. When she saw this year’s WomenVenture theme was lifesaving missions, Katie was inspired to create a shirt in honor of Asheville, North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene devastated the region in the fall of 2024. Many came to aid the community and continue to help residents rebuild. Katie worked with her husband to identify the runways and landmarks in Asheville, which she incorporated into the design.
Past EAA WomenVenture Media
EAA WomenVenture Presenting Sponsor
EAA WomenVenture Sponsors
