We are proud to have such a talented and dedicated team of professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of service to our causes. Together, we strive to achieve excellence in all that we do and are confident that we can meet and exceed your expectations.
Khady Gaye is truly a citizen of the world, born in Belgium – she has Senegalese heritage, is multilingual, has traveled around the world connecting with people, and is not accepting the status quo in life.
The eldest of 5, whether she liked it or not, was assigned to be the go-to person. She knew she had a natural gift for this role but didn’t want to admit it.
During her childhood, she developed a genuine curiosity for people and the world. Getting her Master’s degree was a must to succeed. She devotes her time and energy to empowering everyone to be proud of who they are and advocates for inclusion, not leaving anyone behind.
Sharing is caring! Her vitamin: a positive attitude in moving the needle, helping the current and next generation to grow and thrive. Involved in several volunteering projects, she enjoys helping others.
Described as a natural relationship builder, she is currently acting as an HR Manager at United Airlines. She is a woman on a mission who wants to make the difference in someone’s life, creating impact. Her identity is who she is as a human being, so giving back is vital to her.
Her values are Respect, Authenticity and Humility
Originally from Panama City, Panama, Veronica graduated from the ISFPA with an associate degree in Aircraft Maintenance before migrating to the United States at 19.
Obtaining her A&P from the FAA, she launched her career as an aircraft technician – working base, line, intermediate, and tower maintenance positions, as well as supervisor and project management roles for Delta and Alaska Airlines.
Currently, Veronica serves as Assistant Manager for United’s OSV Department. Her accomplishments include being a 40 under 40 AMT Recipient, advocating for enforcing the Open Skies Treaty on Capital Hill and establishing United’s first leadership development program for Women in TechOps.
As a former American Sign Language interpreter, Lisa Young never dreamed this would segue from a passion for the deaf community into a passion for a worldwide community. After stumbling upon an ad by United Airlines searching for people with a second language, a career as a frontline representative of the airline was born.
Lisa Young has been a safety professional/ flight attendant with United Airlines for 24 years now and counting. As a flight attendant, she wears many hats, all of which require a love of aviation.
In her role as Chief of Staff, she is responsible for planning and managing all administrative, financial, and operational activities for the President. The chief of staff will often help the president and Vice-President manage their time effectively while acting in an advisory role for important decisions.
When not traveling for work, Lisa Young is traversing the globe for food and fun. If she’s not on a plane you will find her spending time with family and nature.
A wife and mother to Eliora, Nyasha Manyika is a qualified Commercial Pilot originally from Zimbabwe. Her passion for sustainable development within the Aviation Industry saw her becoming a Co-Founder of African Leaders in Aviation (ALA), a registered NPO that serves and supports the African Aviation Industry and Careers in STEM by empowering women and raising honorable leaders.
She is also a member of Women in Aviation International, a committee member & social media Director for the Keep Flying International Scholarship. In 2021 she was selected as 1 of Africa’s 100 Brightest Young Minds (BYM) – BYM identifies, connects, and mobilizes Africa’s most innovative and responsible young people. In 2022 she was amongst the top 100 Women Impacting Africa compiled by Women Impacting Nigeria.
She loves children and has over 5 years of experience, having worked as an Au-Pair in the USA and South Africa. Nyasha also worked as a College Registrar at Africa’s leading flight school. The role involved working with 250 to 300 student pilots at a time from over 40 different countries globally.
This exposed her to a diverse range of cultures which she appreciates and saw as an opportunity to learn and grow
A flight attendant for United Airlines since 1989. Married and mother of two daughters. Lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, but is based out of San Francisco, CA, where she flies internationally with United.
Frederica is a born-again Christian who loves spreading the gospel and transforming lives.
Meet Jerome Lawrence, a determined and passionate individual who was born and raised in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago. From an early age, aviation was his dream, and he was encouraged by his family to pursue it. Despite humble beginnings where he helped his grandfather with animals and crops, Jerome remained committed to his goal of becoming a pilot. He was fascinated with planes taking off and landing at the airport where his father worked and his interest in aviation grew.
After attending primary school, Jerome went on to Bishop’s High School where his two passions for music and aviation flourished. He even took a year to pursue his private pilot’s certificate, which made his dream a reality.
Although pursuing aviation was challenging, Jerome persevered and moved to the United States to attend college in 2010 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). During his time at college, he became the president of the Caribbean student’s association and later progressed to become the Vice President for the regional organization of Caribbean students known as the Florida Caribbean Students Association. He also became a mentor for new and incoming students, particularly students from foreign countries, and conducted graduate-level research on the effects of global carbon emissions on the atmosphere.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in 2014, Jerome participated in a 6-month internship with Cape Air where he flew and worked as a maintenance technician in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He then became a flight instructor at Epic Aviation in New Smyrna Beach, where he not only taught but also became a check instructor and ran ground school classes. Jerome continued his growth in the industry at Republic Airways, starting as a First Officer and eventually becoming a Captain. He even saw an opportunity to elevate within the company by becoming an Assistant Chief Pilot, and ultimately a Chief Pilot in November 2019. While at Republic Airways, Jerome earned a master’s degree in human Factors in Aviation and pursued his hobby of photography.
Not only has Jerome excelled in his career, but he has also given back to the community. He returned to his home country with two United pilots to reach out to over 2,000 school children through the Aerospace Professionals School Program, motivating them to pursue aviation. Jerome’s experience has taught him the value of living intentionally and seizing opportunities today rather than waiting for tomorrow. In his role as an outreach officer, Jerome is responsible for promoting aviation education and career opportunities. He organizes events, presents at schools and universities, and works with community organizations to encourage young people to consider careers in aviation. His efforts have helped to inspire a new generation of pilots, technicians, and aviation professionals.
Jerome is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry, advocating for underrepresented and underserved communities. He believes that everyone should have access to the benefits of aviation and works tirelessly to promote equal opportunities for all. With his determination, passion, and commitment to excellence, there is no doubt that Jerome will continue to make an impact in the aviation industry and beyond.
Michelle Williams is a professional Service Director with more than two decades of customer service experience within the airline industry.
Michelle’s responsibilities as an outreach director is to promote the services of WWOT organization, and to invite Donors and get sponsorship for WWOT.
Alicia Terry is a Customer Service Agent at Delta Airlines in Detroit. She worked at Delta for 9 years. Alicia started as a Ramp Agent loading bags on the plane, assisting with pushing the plane out and marshaling it in to the gate area.
This is her second career, she spent 26 years working for the Detroit Police Department where she retired as a commanding officer.
Alicia loves working at Delta as a Customer Service Agent, it allows her the opportunity to make a positive difference her our customers day. She has also participated in many community outreach programs including fundraising for Relay for Life, being part of the ladies team that brought first place trophy to DTW in the Jet Drag, helping feed those in need and installing smoke detectors in low income homes with the Red Cross.
She is a firm believer in making a positive impact on the global community and is passionate about volunteering at home and in her travels at home and abroad. Alicia believes food, safe water, safe housing, adequate healthcare and education is a human right. By working at Delta it allows her to see the world and have a larger footprint in helping people around the world.
During her time off, she runs a mobile food pantry out of her van and a stationary food pantry once a week. She is also a mentor at work and in her community. “I’m blessed to live a life of service.” – Alicia Terry
Ana Gomez has been in the Aviation industry for over 35 years. She is a flight attendant for United Airlines and based out of Washington DC.
Ana flies a variety of routes including the US, Africa, Europe and at times serve the Latin American routes as a Spanish translator. During her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, yoga, gardening, and volunteering.
Nomthandazo Manzira, who is often called by her middle name of Naomi is our membership & events officer. She is an experienced major airline pilot and Gold Seal flight instructor.
Naomi’s passion in aviation has led her to pursue a Bachelor’s in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and subsequently a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Aviation Finance. She has volunteered with multiple organizations to include mentoring South African high school students at the Aerospace Leadership Academy in South Africa, flying sick patients with Angel Flight West, and is a mentor for the Professional Pilots of Tomorrow organization.
In her role as membership and events officer, she is responsible for attracting, retaining, and engaging members. She oversees the operations and logistics of all member engagement events, including trips, meetings, and other events/programs. Her main goal has been to recruit the current amazing professionals within the aviation industry that will inspire the next generation.
Naomi is committed to encouraging the upcoming youth that will leave a legacy behind. Particularly youth similar to herself who grew up in countries where aviation opportunities may not have been as affluent. Or whom like herself may have been challenged with finding the funds to support a dream career in aviation.
Anthony McGee is a Liberian native who fled the country during the civil war and eventually settled in the United States. From a young age, he was fascinated by aviation, having first observed airplanes take off and land in his native country.
Today, he finds it breathtaking to watch planes soar into the sky. McGee is passionate about helping people in Africa and other regions where he works, inspired by his early years when he lacked a positive role model. Giving back is a fundamental part of who he is, and he enjoys mentoring, motivating, and preparing aspiring pilots for interviews.
He also visits schools to encourage students to consider aviation careers. With over 14 years of aviation experience, McGee is a first officer at United Airlines, flying the B787. He holds a degree in airway science from Delaware State University and believes that hard work, persistence, motivation, and tenacity are the keys to success.
Jean Olivier Mbog is an energized individuals that came from humble beginnings. Today he served as Programs Director- Board of Directors with the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). Helping his peers is a heart destination, the journey of giving back started back in 2008 while becoming a member of OBAP and since then he has support community that he serves.
In 2018, he visited five schools in Kingston, Jamaica, to inspire students about the aviation industry. This is just one of many similar outreach trips he’s taken. He is very active with OBAP, promoting aviation to youth around the world. Mbog was born in Cameroon, Africa. At age 14, he was sent to a Catholic boarding school in Nancy, France. “On my very first plane ride, I caught the aviation bug.
From that point on, I knew I wanted to ‘be one of them!’” he says. Mbog earned a B.S. in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Campus. Jean Olivier Mbog is an accomplished pilot, with over 8000+ hours of flying experience. In addition, he has proven leadership competencies in management, flight instruction and mentoring.
He has proven to be a trusted pilot and an adaptable leader, acknowledged for exceptional safety performance, balanced judgment, stability, and integrity. He consistently ensures a high-quality customer experience in both his airline pilot duties and in his business. In 2013, he was hired as a certified flight instructor where he trained Chinese airlines in Ab Initio, taking cadets and various domestic student from their Private to Multi commercial rating. In 2014, he was awarded a ‘Gold Seal’ CFI and joined a 14 CFR part 121 airline as a first officer flying a Dash-8 aircraft.
Today, he is flying for United Airlines as First Officer based in Houston. He is also the Houston OBAP ACE academies Director. At his core, he focuses on safety, being passionate about his job and caring for those around him. And, my international outreach out from Kingston, Jamaica were 2 turns (May & June 2018) over 1500 + students were inspired, I followed up in September in Trinidad & Tobago with 8 schools in Tobago and 1 in Trinidad and end the year in Dakar, Senegal, Accra, Monrovia, Nairobi and surrounding area with over 20 schools to empower my sisters & brothers from the motherland, great year and great time.
George Matimba – Ever since I was 7 years old and I saw my first B747-200 load up with almost 300 people at Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe. Tones of baggage pods and slowly taxi out for departure, I was intrigued. As the Aircraft made its take off roll and slowly began it’s climb, it was at that point I wanted to know what makes such a an enormous beautiful thing be able to defy gravity and sustain lift in the skies for such a long period of time. I looked at my late father and uttered the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.
I said, “Baba, when I grow up I want to be a airplane driver” My father looked at this 7 year old boy and said, first of all you need to know that airplanes don’t have drivers, they are called ‘Pilots’. Me, not knowing what a Pilot was. I said I want to be whatever they are. My father said you have a long way to go and you need to be good in school to get there.
Fast forward, I end up in school with a very passionate professor Meneer Colanbrant, who one day asked what I wanted to do in life. I simply said I wanted to fly Airplanes. He asked me what I was doing in his class? I told him trying to get an education and he told me to follow my hearts desire and not be stuck doing something what other people think is right for me. Since that day in 1996, I focused on getting my wings and I never looked back.
They were people who never believed in me and thought it was a foolish dream, cause if God wanted me to fly he would have given me wings. I, against all odds, I never looked back after my very first flight with my instructor. It wasn’t easy and certainly wasn’t cheap. Today, I sit in the left seat of a B767ER, I soar the skies. I earned my wings and with each flight hour I am grateful for the gift of flying. I have been a PIC on the CL-65 (CRJ- 900) and B737NG/ Max.
