Connect. engage. inspire.
Women in Aviation International is the largest organization in the world dedicated to increasing the number of women involved in all areas of aviation and aerospace.
“At WAI, we strive to encourage, empower, and educate all those whose interests, lives, and work involve aviation and aerospace without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities, or point of view. We know with certainty that our shared passion for aviation transcends any differences among us.”
Our goals are to
Invest in our current and future global workforce
Build a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable aviation and aerospace industry
Inspire women and girls to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace
meet Our Team
melissa tarkett - president
Melissa has over 20 years of progressive experience in Aviation Business Management, including FAA Repair Station Operations, FBO Operations, and Team Management. Melissa is Bilingual (English/Spanish) and has worked with various clients all over the US, as well as those based in Southern California and Mexico. Her dynamic experience has played an instrumental role in reviving the San Diego Chapter of WAI. As President, it is her mission to provide many outreach and networking opportunities for the chapter. She is passionate about STEM and education. While volunteering her time to WAI San Diego, Melissa recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Management at San Diego State University. She lives in Bonita with her husband and young daughter.
Contact Melissa president@waisandiego.org.
jacquelynn houston - vice president
Jacquelynn will never forget the day her mom woke her from a nap to share that she had just interviewed for a customer service role at an airline. The timing felt almost perfect: Jacquelynn had just returned from a student council event where a speaker described her world travels, sparking a longing that felt far out of reach for a sixteen-year-old. When her mom got the job, Jacquelynn was over the moon about the flight benefits. She took day trips whenever she could and quickly realized it didn’t matter where she was going, she simply loved the feeling of being on an airplane.
After graduating from San Diego State during COVID, Jacquelynn realized the only thing that truly fueled her heart was traveling. She took a leap and enrolled in flight school, not fully knowing what she was getting into. Fortunately, she quickly fell in love with aviation. In just a few years, the people, opportunities, and experiences it has brought into her life have been nothing short of magical.
Jacquelynn has been an airline pilot for about a year and serves as Vice President of the San Diego Women in Aviation chapter - two of her proudest accomplishments. She once read a journal prompt asking, “How would you spend your days if money weren’t a factor?” and realized she was doing something right when the answer was exactly the same.
Contact Jacquelynn vp@waisandiego.org.
Emma Sharp - Treasurer
Emma’s love for aviation began before she can remember. Growing up with a fighter pilot dad who went on to become an airline captain, she learned her ABCs from The Airplane Alphabet Book. Her lifelong love for the skies became a clear goal when she had the opportunity to ride in the flight deck jumpseat during the delivery of a new airliner flown by her dad. Before the aircraft had finished its takeoff roll, she knew without a doubt that she was going to become a pilot too.
Emma graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2024. After moving to San Diego, she began flight training at Montgomery Field and is now an instrument-rated private pilot working toward her Commercial Pilot Certificate and, ultimately, a career as an airline pilot.
Women in Aviation has given Emma a community of people who have encouraged, inspired, and supported her throughout her own journey into the cockpit. As Treasurer, she is grateful for the opportunity to give back to a chapter that has meant so much to her and hopes to help create that same sense of belonging and possibility for the next generation of women in aviation.
Contact Emma treasurer@waisandiego.org
AUBRE Julian - Secretary
Aubre is a dedicated flight instructor based out of Montgomery Airport, where she shares her passion for aviation with aspiring pilots every day. What began as a hobby quickly transformed into a full-time pursuit especially during the pandemic, when she made the leap and moved to San Diego to follow her dream of flying professionally.
Before taking to the skies, Aubre worked in office management while earning her MBA in Management. Now, she combines her leadership background with her love of aviation to inspire the next generation, particularly through her involvement with Women in Aviation. She is committed to supporting, promoting, and encouraging more women to pursue careers in the field.
Aubre recently completed her Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification and is currently applying to regional airlines as she takes the next exciting step in her aviation journey.
Contact Aubre secretary@waisandiego.org or scholarship@waisandiego.org.
Lisa houston- Membership chair
Lisa currently serves as Customer Service Agent with a major airline and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.
With more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, customer service, customer retention, leadership, and equity, Lisa has built a career centered on fostering strong relationships, delivering exceptional service, and helping organizations achieve sustainable growth.
Throughout her professional journey, she has remained deeply committed to community service. Through volunteer work and collaboration with nonprofit organizations, Lisa has helped strengthen community connections, improve communication, and support initiatives that promote growth and positive impact.
Lisa has recently accepted the role of Membership Chair, where she is dedicated to supporting current members, expanding membership, building a stronger sense of community, and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement. Her goal is to ensure that members remain connected, valued, and empowered to make a lasting difference.
Contact Lisa 612-282-1571 or membership@waisandiego.org
ANNIKA KNOTT - OUTREACH/Social media
Annika is a passionate flight instructor based at Montgomery Field. Her passion for aviation was sparked at a young age by her mother, a United Airlines flight attendant. Annika grew up traveling (thanks to her family’s flight benefits) and she began flight training while still in high school.
At age 16, Annika attended Girls in Aviation Day–an experience that showed her that a career in aviation wasn’t just possible, but exactly what she wanted to pursue. This helped narrow down her college search and in 2024, she graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Professional Flight and B.S. in Aviation Management.
Among other organizations, Annika was actively involved in her school’s Women in Aviation chapter and is so grateful to have found a strong aviation community in San Diego as well. Her ultimate goal is to fly internationally as a captain for a major airline!
Contact Annika outreach@waisandiego.org.
Open Position- Scholarship Chair
WAI San Diego is seeking a Scholarship Chair to serve for the remaining 2026 year and for the year of 2027. The leadership role oversees the Scholarship Committee and helps ensure we continue providing meaningful educational opportunities and financial support to individuals pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. If you’re passionate about giving back and supporting the next generation of industry professionals, we’d love to have you join us!
See full job here.
If you are interested in the position please contact Aubre at secretary@waisandiego.org.
Kayla Dee - GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY Co-Chair
After high school, Kayla was torn about what she wanted to pursue. On a whim, she booked a discovery flight, not realizing it would become the beginning of her greatest passion. By age 19, she had earned her Private Pilot License and moved to New Zealand, where she converted her license and spent a year taking in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain views from the skies. Now back home in San Diego, she is completing her flight training and working toward a career as an airline pilot.
Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Co-Director of Girls in Aviation Day and help introduce the next generation to the endless opportunities within aviation and aerospace. Her goal is to show that sometimes the experiences that change your life begin simply by trying something new.
Contact Kayla giad@waisandiego.org.
jonathan gomez-lopez - GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY Co-Chair
Jonathan was born and raised in the San Diego area and currently works for FedEx Express at San Diego International Airport. Alongside his aviation career, he is pursuing his Private Pilot License with the long-term goal of opening a flight school that provides high-quality, cost-effective flight training to aspiring pilots.
Passionate about growing the local aviation community, Jonathan actively serves as a San Diego aviation community liaison and volunteers with several organizations, including Women in Aviation International – San Diego Chapter, the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 14 as a Coordinator, the San Diego Aviation Explorer Post 120, and the Latino Professionals in Aerospace – San Diego Chapter.
Jonathan believes everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue an aviation career, regardless of their background or financial situation. He is especially committed to inspiring the next generation by connecting youth with the many educational and aviation resources available to help them begin their journey. His goal is to make aviation more accessible, inclusive, and attainable for future pilots.
Contact Jonathan giad@waisandiego.org.
Amy Rodriguez - GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY Co-Chair
Amy Rodriguez is an active duty U.S. Coast Guard Avionic Electrical Technician based in San Diego, CA, and the founder of AIR Detailing LLC, a mobile aircraft detailing company serving general aviation airports across Southern California!
A proud New Yorker by roots and aviator by calling. With over 7 years in aviation, Amy brings a hands-on passion for everything she does from maintaining military aircraft to polishing the fleet she loves.
Committed to lifting the next generation of aviators, Amy actively supports and is a member of Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD), Women in Aviation International, the Travis Manion Foundation, and the Experimental Aircraft Association. She believes in leading by example in uniform, on the flight line, and in the community.
Contact Amy giad@waisandiego.org.