Who Are the "Leaders" in the International Aerospace Women's Association (IAWA)?

IAWA's "leaders" are women who hold positions of impact in aviation and aerospace — and the association defines that status largely through its membership tiers. Full Membership is for women with at least five years in the aerospace industry who are in a management or leadership role. Apprentice Membership covers women within ten years of graduation, and Student Membership is open to university students. So "leader" in IAWA terms is not a single job title; it is a combination of industry tenure and management responsibility, with earlier-career tiers feeding into that pipeline.

What IAWA means by "women leaders"

The organization describes itself as a global aerospace association "at the forefront of influence and advocacy which elevates women leaders who value career growth and connection and who inspire the next generation." Two things follow from that wording:

• Leadership is tied to impact, not just seniority. IAWA was founded in 1988 for women who hold positions of impact in the aviation and aerospace industry, and its members serve as role models for other women seeking advancement.
• Leadership includes inspiring the next generation. The scholarship program and student tier exist specifically to encourage young women to enter aviation and aerospace, so mentoring and visibility count as part of the leadership role.

The association also frames its mission around advancement — its own materials reference "Soaring through the glass ceiling" — and around inclusion across regions including the Middle East and Africa.

Which membership tier fits which career stage

If you are unsure where you fit, the deciding question is whether you currently hold a management or leadership role and have five years in the industry. If yes, Full Membership matches the description. If you are earlier in your career, the Apprentice or Student tier is the documented route.

How to engage with IAWA leaders

IAWA states there are two ways to dig deeper into the organization: Committees and Communities. Its site notes that volunteers are being recruited for Committees and for those who can lead a Community — so leading a Community is itself a visible leadership role inside the association.

Practical paths to engagement:

1. Join at the tier that matches your experience (Full, Apprentice, or Student).
2. Volunteer for a Committee — IAWA describes this as one of the two ways to get more out of membership.
3. Step up to lead a Community if you want a leadership position within the organization itself.
4. Attend events where members gather (see below).

Where IAWA leaders gather: events and networking

IAWA runs annual global conferences plus regional receptions and connects, which it describes as a forum to share views on matters important to the industry and to women generally. Examples listed on its site include:

• BAY-STAT Breakfast Connect — Oct 1, 2026
• IAWA Swinburne Connect — Oct 1, 2026
• Oklahoma City Connect — Oct 1, 2026
• The Authenticity Code – Americas Engagement Meeting — Oct 21, 2026

These regional "Connect" formats are the lower-commitment way to meet members before or alongside joining.

Leadership resources: the "Lift Off to Leadership" report

IAWA and Oliver Wyman released the second edition of the "Lift Off to Leadership" report, which the association says highlights the urgent need for diversity amid a global talent shortage. For anyone researching what IAWA means by leadership — or making a case for diversity programs internally — this report is the association's own published evidence base. IAWA also publishes organizational news, including announcements of its president, board of directors, and annual initiatives, plus scholarship recipient announcements (the program has surpassed half a million dollars in awards to date).

Quick answer for a specific situation

• "I'm a manager with 6 years in aerospace." You match the Full Membership description; join there and volunteer for a Committee.
• "I graduated 3 years ago." Apprentice Membership is the documented fit; use events and Communities to build toward leadership.
• "I'm a university student." Student Membership and the scholarship program are the entry points.
• "I want to meet women aerospace leaders without joining yet." Regional Connect events and the "Lift Off to Leadership" report are public-facing starting points.

One caveat: IAWA's site does not publish pricing or login requirements in the material available here, so check the membership page directly for current fees and application steps before assuming any tier is free or open without registration.