Stepping into the American Airpower Museum on March 15 was inspiring. It was more than an event—it was a powerful gathering of trailblazing women in aviation for the launch of Women Rock Wings, a dynamic aviation media and lifestyle brand founded by CEO Meagan Hobson.
The mission of Women Rock Wings: amplify women’s voices and stories in an industry still overwhelmingly dominated by men.
Being interviewed by the remarkable Jabili Kandula was a wonderful experience. In addition to being an advocate for women and young people in aviation, Jabili is a pilot, an aviation journalist and Miss New Jersey.
Sitting down for our one-on-one conversation about being a woman in aviation felt like coming full circle, especially as we celebrated Women’s History Month.
Where Did My Passion for Aviation Begin?
When Jabili asked where my passion for aviation began, I immediately thought of the family dining room table. That’s because my mother, Janice K. Barden, was in business aviation serving corporations and ultra-high-net-worth individuals that operate their own airplane. During the 1950s, she blazed a trail as one of the first females in the industry, and she influenced me profoundly.
My mom was pretty fearless. Although she briefly stepped back to become a stay-at-home mom, her passion for aviation couldn’t be contained. She returned to work when I was in second grade, and later founded Aviation Personnel International in 1971.
Aviation was part of our daily lives, but it wasn’t easy working in a male-dominated industry.
One time upon returning from the annual NBAA conference, she told my dad that men kept asking her, “What does your husband think of you doing this, of you being here?” And she said, “How am I supposed to answer that?” My father jokingly replied to her, “turn it back to them and ask, ‘What does your wife think of YOU being here?’”
Over the years, Janice learned to let people know when they were being inappropriate. One of her favorite retorts, which I still use quite often, is to respond to someone by asking in return, “Help me understand what would make you even ask that question?” This gently signals back to them that they’ve overstepped a boundary.
She taught me how to gracefully handle inappropriate questions in our male-dominated industry.
Rediscovering Aviation
I didn’t jump straight into the industry. After college, I pursued a career in product management and sales for an international packaging company.
It was during this time that I fully grasped business aviation’s true power.
On one occasion, I was fortunate to use my company’s corporate jet to introduce clients to several of our manufacturing facilities. This powerful site visit eventually led me to close a multi-million dollar deal.
After 17 years in corporate America, I professionally embraced business aviation, carrying forward my mother’s fearless spirit.
Hiring with Passion and Purpose
Jabili and I spoke about hiring practices—especially in the work we do here at API. In recruiting pilots, maintenance professionals and aviation leaders, our team seeks passion and hustle—individuals driven to contribute rather than simply show up and “take.”
In particular, I was asked about the specific qualifications, personalities or unique traits we look for in candidates. For us, at API, it comes down to identifying people who go above and beyond.
Candidates who lead interviews by immediately asking about pay or vacation signal they might not be in it for the right reasons. Instead, we look for those who genuinely inquire about the role itself by asking: “Tell me more about this opportunity. What will it take to excel here? What are the opportunities for growth?” When we see someone’s eyes light up imagining themselves contributing to the team, we know we’ve found the right fit.
In my own company, hustle matters—but so does balance. We emphasize that “life is meant to be lived, not merely worked.” In fact, that’s one of our stated corporate values. When our team members take time off, we encourage them to truly disconnect to recharge.
Along these lines, I often share the story of two lumberjacks.
One tirelessly chopping without breaks, becoming less productive each day. Meanwhile, the other lumberjack takes breaks to sharpen their axe and consistently outperforms the one who’s exhausted.
At API, our philosophy mirrors this lesson: We encourage breaks to sharpen our own axes, boosting our productivity and creativity.
Advice for Job Seekers in Challenging Times
Jabili also asked how job seekers could best navigate challenging market conditions. I liken our industry’s current state to the eye of a hurricane—it’s calm now, but intense activity will soon resume.
My advice: stay prepared and focused, consistently developing your skills and maintaining a robust professional network.
Platforms like LinkedIn offer incredible power to connect with industry peers. Attending events, investing in personal growth, and engaging in continuous learning through courses or podcasts are ways to demonstrate a proactive approach and positive momentum.
Community Involvement
Speaking of events and personal growth, I was also asked about my industry involvement, and want it means to be a community member. Being a part of professional and supportive communities has been vital throughout my career.
Reflecting on my journey, I realized I’ve always surrounded myself with women—from Girl Scouts to my college sorority to professional groups like Women in Aviation and NBAA. These communities provided mentorship, encouragement and accountability, lifting me up and helping me grow professionally and personally.
I firmly believe in cultivating your own “cabinet” of women to support your career and personal growth.
Advice to My Younger Self
Jabili asked me what advice I’d give to my younger self. Without hesitation, I said: “Don’t turn down unique opportunities.”
Explore every chance to learn and grow, even if it takes you outside your comfort zone or location. Looking back, I regret not taking the opportunity to become a pilot when it was presented to me.
Today, I see the immense value of seizing every unique opportunity to broaden your horizons.
The Value of Education and Lifelong Learning
An audience member asked about education’s role in aviation careers. I believe education—formal or informal—is essential.
A degree signals commitment to learning and personal investment, qualities employers highly value. However, education doesn’t always have to be traditional; online programs like those at Embry-Riddle offer flexibility, allowing pilots to pursue degrees during downtime on layovers.
Staying curious and committed to lifelong learning is key to career resilience and advancement.
Ultimately, transparency and authenticity in your professional journey are powerful. Employers look beyond your resume to understand who you genuinely are—your involvement, passions and character. Bring your authentic self into every opportunity, and you’ll build meaningful connections and a fulfilling career.
Women Rock Wings: Empowering Women in Aviation
The conversations that took place at Women Rock Wings event underscored the vital importance of community, mentorship and constant learning.
Meagan Hobson’s initiative, partnering with prominent brands like Microsoft and Republic Jet Center, is pivotal in reshaping the narrative for women in aviation. She highlights diverse journeys and voices through immersive storytelling and innovative experiences, empowering women globally.
To learn more about Women Rock Wings, visit https://womenrockwings.com. You can also read Jabili’s cover story here and subscribe to the digital publication here.
Great story and an amazing journey! It’s wonderful to think about all the lives Jan and Sheryl have mentored and touched.
Thank you, Ed! You’ve been a big part of our journey here at API, and we’re grateful for your friendship and support. We appreciate all YOU do to mentor aviation professionals and pay it forward.