Leadership Category: Executive Directors

Chad Makovsky was named City of Phoenix Director of Aviation Services in March 2021. He provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Phoenix system of airports, including Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), and Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR). In his role, Mr. Makovsky leads one of America’s largest airports with 24 airlines providing nonstop service to more than 140 destinations across North America and Europe. Mr. Makovsky returned to Phoenix after serving as the Executive Vice President of Operations at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Prior to DFW Airport, Mr. Makovsky held a variety of roles with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, Burbank Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and America West Airlines over his 33-year professional career.

Tamara Vrooman is a transformational executive, recognized for her exemplary track record leading large, complex institutions in both the private and public sectors. In her role as President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport, Tamara has strengthened YVR’s position as a catalyst for innovation and a trailblazer in sustainability, driving towards a goal of creating a greener, more resilient future for the airport, the aviation industry, our community and the economy that supports it. Prior to joining YVR, Tamara served for 13 years as the President and CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union, propelling the business into a global reference point for values-based banking. Tamara was the former Chair of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Rick Hansen Foundation, and Chair of the Canadian Airport Council.  She currently serves as Simon Fraser University’s 12th Chancellor, Board of Director of Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and Airports Council International – North America.  Tamara is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia, and has accepted multiple awards for YVR, including the 2025 Skytrax Award for Best Airport in North America; the GPC Award for Excellence in Governance and Best Practices in ESG, Sustainability and Purpose; Waterstone Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture; and is the 2025 recipient of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Canadian Business Leader of the Year Award.

Roelof-Jan (RJ) Steenstra is President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority, where he oversees a dynamic portfolio of longstanding assets on the Toronto waterfront including Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the Port of Toronto and the Outer Harbour Marina, ensuring their continued success and impact.

Before joining the Toronto Port Authority in 2022, RJ served as CEO of the Red Deer and Fort McMurray airport authorities in Alberta, where he built a track record of transformative leadership within Canada’s transportation sector.

A frequent speaker and active contributor to industry dialogue, RJ is known for promoting excellence and embracing forward-thinking approaches to complex challenges. He is particularly passionate about the role the aviation and marine sectors play in fostering shared prosperity. At the Toronto Port Authority, he led the development of Transportation Reimagined, a bold strategic plan launched in 2023 that charts a five-year path focused on enhancing connectivity and expanding economic opportunity, while advancing sustainability.

RJ currently serves on the Board of Directors for Destination Toronto, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, the Canadian Airports Council and ACI World (Airports Council International) as well as its North American chapter, and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Toronto Global Forum. In recognition of his service, RJ was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.

Danette is from San Diego, CA, where her passion for aviation began. Her father was a decorated Navy fighter pilot, stationed at NAS Miramar, and later became a commercial airline pilot. This upbringing fueled her interest to pursue an aviation-related career path. Her airport management career began in 1989 and has spanned 34 years.