Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today announced the formation of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group.  Comprised of professionals and DEI experts from across the organization, ACI-NA’s DEI Working Group will help propel the association’s work in this important area moving forward.

“Our industry has a strong record of success in creating opportunities,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke.  “Our industry is a driver of change because of our strong commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and we look forward to the input from our new working group to further advance our industry’s leadership.”

Despite the pandemic that nearly crippled the North American airport industry, airports have not neglected their social responsibility priorities, especially in the areas of DEI.

The North American airport industry has a strong reputation of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strengthening partnerships with their local communities.  But, this work has not been easy.  In fact, it is quite complex.  That’s why it is necessary to continue learning and listening about the work being done in this area.

The DEI Working Group will take a deep dive into our industry’s commitments to DEI issues and assist the association in developing a clear and actionable approach to one of the most important leading issues of our time.  The working group will help chart a path forward on how ACI-NA as an organization can contribute.

The high caliber of participants on the working group bring vast perspectives and represent every facet of the North American airport industry.  The group will be chaired by Tanisha Lewis, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Social Impact for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  Debi Marshall, Director of Human Resources, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, will serve as the vice chair. Danette Bewley, President and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority will serve as the liaison to the ACI-NA Board of Directors.  Solomon Wong, President and CEO of InterVISTAS Consulting, will serve as the associates representative on the working group.

Participants on the ACI-NA DEI Working Group also include:

Barbara Alexander
Shared Prosperity Program Specialist
Port of Portland

Molara  Awosedo
Director, DEI
Greater Toronto Airports Authority

Michelle Brega
Senior Director, External Affairs
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

Regina Carson
Human Resources Manager
Peninsula Airport Commission

Thiané Carter
Small Business Program Officer
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

Loriann Chace
Senior Aviation Economic Develop Specialist
Sacramento International Airport

Christy Cheever
Paine Field / Snohomish County Airport
Airport Administration in Human Resources

Mike Christie    
Vice President, Human Resources
Halifax International Airport Authority

Patti Colbry
Human Resources Director
Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust

Kim dela Torre
Manager of Talent/People Operations
Tucson Airport Authority

Elise Durham
Assistant General Manager, Business Diversity
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Meg Gibson 
Manager, Learning & Professional Development
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport

Lorri Graybeal
Human Resources Manager
Roanoke Regional Airport

Louis Gutierrez  
Chief, Human Capital & Equity Officer
Los Angeles World Airports

Teika Jefferson
DEI, Manager
Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

Maria Kim 
CFO
Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Andrew Martz 
Assistant Director, Communications & Development
Eugene Airport

Elita McMillon
Assistant General Counsel
Tampa International Airport

Gina Stough
Vice President, Human Resources
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Elise Thomas
Environmental Manager
Fairbanks International Airport

Jonanthan Todd
Manager, Workforce Development
Philadelphia International Airport

Guadalupe Torres
Community Investment Manager
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Jayme Verish  
Assistant Airport Director, Operations & Maintenance
Idaho Falls Regional Airport

Solomon Wong
President and CEO
InterVISTAS

Karen Zygun      
Director, Human Resources
Vancouver Airport Authority