GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, announced Tanisha Lewis, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, as the recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Social Impact and Change Management Award. The award was presented at the ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in recognition of her exemplary commitment to fostering significant change across the airport industry.

“Tanisha Lewis has played a pivotal role in not just addressing, but actively shaping solutions for DEI challenges within the airport sector,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Her leadership of our DEI Working Group has been crucial in producing tangible outcomes and impacting real change for our industry.”

Under her leadership as the Chair of ACI-NA’s DEI Working Group, Lewis has been instrumental in guiding the airport community through complex diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives. These initiatives have encompassed everything from hiring protocols and community equity issues to environmental justice, reflecting the broad scope of DEI across the industry.

“This award is not only a recognition of my accomplishments but also a reflection of the incredible leaders and peers both at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the global aviation industry who have supported me along the way,” Tanisha Lewis said. “I am deeply humbled and immensely thankful for this honor. My heartfelt thanks go to the many leaders in the aviation industry who have championed diversity, equity, and inclusion. Together, we are shaping the workforce of the future, driving innovation, and embracing change.”

The DEI Working Group’s report, introduced in June 2022, features contributions from a diverse 27-member group representing various airport sizes and roles within North America. The group’s collective expertise in areas such as human resources, environmental management, and community investment has culminated in a robust resource for the industry. The ACI-NA DEI Working Group Report not only outlines good practices but also serves as a practical toolkit for airports aiming to enhance their DEI strategies.

The Excellence in Social Impact and Change Management Award acknowledges leaders like Lewis who are dedicated to creating sustainable change and promoting inclusivity within the aviation industry.

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