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.
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.
Today, Jacquelynn has been flying at her first airline 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.
Emily Favorite - Treasurer
Emily is a former U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Weapons Systems Officer with 12 years of service. Now based in San Diego, she’s pursuing her Private Pilot License and recently completed her first solo flight in a Cessna 172.
Transitioning from military to civilian aviation, Emily is enjoying the personal challenge and joy of flying for herself. She hopes to earn her Commercial Pilot License and eventually instruct. Emily also serves as Treasurer for Women in Aviation San Diego.
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.
Melina Fithen - SCholarship
Melina began her Airport Management career as a high school intern at JFK,
before heading off to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. After earning her first degree in Aviation Business Administration, and completing a college internship at TUS, Melina landed in San Diego. Her first job at SAN was a CSR for the FBO, where she was able to learn all about SAN and meet the airport professionals who would help develop her career. Melina has since earned her Master of Science in Air Transportation Management & prestigious professional designations from AAAE and ACI-NA, and is a nationally-known expert on airport rental car centers.
After her time with the FBO, Melina worked with Western Pacific Airlines before partnering with the Airport Authority as a consultant on The Green Build project (the expansion of Terminal 2 that opened in 2013). Melina officially joined the Airport Authority in 2015 and has spent the past 11 years furthering her career,
where she is now an Asset Manager in Landside Business Development.
Melina remains passionate about education for the next generation, especially in the field of Airport Management. She is looking forward to developing the
Scholarship Committee and helping WAI San Diego support future airport
managers, pilots, airline executives, and all the amazing women in aviation in
San Diego!!
Kimberly romero - Membership
Kimberly recently earned her Private Pilot Certificate through Sling Flight Academy in San Diego while also working as a flight coordinator.
Her next step is to obtain her instrument rating, both on her path to to becoming a Flight Path intern with UPS. Her long-term dream is to be a cargo pilot for UPS.
ANNIKA KNOTT - OUTREACH/Social media
Annika is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) based at Montgomery Field, at Plus One Flyers and Learn to Fly San Diego. Her passion for aviation was sparked early by her mother, a United Airlines flight attendant, 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!
Erin Diveny - GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY Director
Erin is the San Diego Director for Girls in Aviation Day. She loves inspiring girls to explore aviation and aerospace, and previously worked with the Las Vegas chapter to bring hands-on experiences and mentorship to young women. Currently she is working towards her private pilot!
