Congratulations to our new Chapter Executive Board!

July 2024 - June 2025

WOMEN IN AVIATION INTERNATIONAL

WASHINGTON STATE CHAPTER

MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS

Chapter President

Peggy Phillips

My official aviation career began in 1979 when I was selected by the 702nd USAF Reserve unit at McGuire AFB in NJ to attend pilot training! During pilot training, I flew the T37 and T38 – earning my USAF wing in 1981. At the time, aircraft were limited to women but I was extremely fortunate to be able to fly the C-141 Starlifter with my sponsoring unit. I married and moved to Issaquah, WA in 1986 and transferred to the 97th Airlift Sq at McChord AFB. Throughout my 30 year career, I flew the C141 and C17 – landing on every continent and experiencing activation during the Gulf Wars. I retired in 2010 as a Colonel with just over 5,000 hours of flying time. I have also held several leadership roles within the Air Force and community organizations. Currently, I am also a docent at the Museum of Flight. I join WAI in 2005 and became active in our chapter shortly after. I believe strongly in empowering and mentoring young women plus the incredible comradery of the women I have met throughout my aviation career. Our Chapter provides great opportunities for engaging and making new friends!

Chapter Vice President

Loy Anne Leiblie

I currently work for Boeing and am responsible for Boeing Business Jets Material Sales (spare parts) for a worldwide fleet of very-VIP owners and operators of these aircraft, helping them to maintain their aircraft for very high “mission readiness”. I have worked as the Customer Account Manager and Logistics Lead for all Boeing Defense and Space accounts for the US and Foreign operators of Commercial Derivative Aircraft, supporting multiple platforms such as AWACS, AEW&C, the US Air Force fleet of 737’s, 757’s, and 747 aircraft. My first assignment within Boeing in 1997 was as a certified Fixed Base Simulator instructor for the 737. Prior to Boeing I was the Chief Ground Instructor and Flight Team Coach for an Aviation Program at Miami-Dade Community College (Eastern Airlines Pilot Entry Program) for eight years. I am a Certified Flight Instructor (CFIIME), hold an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, and am a member of the International Women in Aviation group. My interest in Women in Aviation was peaked when I attended a conference in Orlando many

years ago. I had previously been a member of the 99’s but I love the fact that WIA opens all doors to aviation, not just being a pilot! Every event I go to, I challenge a young lady to try to think of a career that the aviation field would not have. I have not been defeated yet! I look forward to helping our chapter grow, make it easier to communicate, participate in more Girls and Youth in Aviation days, and have more fun events for the chapter! I am not even sure what that is yet, the sky is the limit 😊

Chapter Secretary

Liza Zinina

My name is Liza Zinina, I am originally from Moscow, Russia and my interest in aviation began on those long international flights back and forth between Russia and US. I began my aviation career as a Project Manager supporting the FAA: managing multiple programs, including motor fleet, runway improvement projects and conducting internal financial audits of National Airspace System (NAS) installed equipment. In my current role as a Senior Supply Chain Manager at Amazon AIR, I oversee the partnership between Amazon and our air carrier partners, driving both short and long-term initiative to improve the resilience of Amazon's AIR network. Outside of work I love to travel, and spend time outdoors hiking, camping and gardening.

Chapter Treasurer

Selena Blachford

My love of aviation started in when i was a little girl living in England just down the road from the Concord wind tunnels in Farnborough. My home was also in the Sunday flight path so at 6pm you could look up and see it flying overhead. Later my family emigrated to Washington state and my dad worked right next to Boeing. After graduation i worked at Boeing. I took several years off and had my family and then came back to Boeing on the KC-46 Tanker program. I spent 11 years on the tanker program in Boeing Defense, before moving over to Boeing Commercial Airplanes where i currently work in Supplier Data Systems.

Chapter Outreach

Ali Lee

Hello, My love for Aviation was sparked by my Mother and Father from their love for flying and appreciation for relatives who were pilots and worked in the industry. Stories from family members who were pilots sharing their flying adventures, I grew up inspired by the magic, wonder and possibility of flight. 

A dedicated advocate for inclusion and sustainability in aviation, with extensive experience spanning from community engagement, commercial aviation and strategic partnerships and leadership. While not a pilot, I bring a grounded, systems-level perspective shaped by years of work with major aviation stakeholders, serving in key board positions and on national working groups along with the work on strategic plans that include community noise and air monitoring. 

Today, I'm deeply committed to advancing the health, equity and environment through decarbonization across the aviation and multimodal transportation sectors. My work focuses on emerging clean technologies - such as aviation and eVOTLs - as well as building more inclusive pathways into the aviation workforce. 

After volunteering and attending the Women in Aviation conference in Colorado with many from the Washington State chapter, I felt a renewed commitment to WAIs mission to create an equitable environment for all women in aviation. That dedication continues through both local and national engagement in airport communities. 

I currently serve as Vice Chair for the King County International Airport roundtable and a member with the National Airport Roundtable Association. I am also a member of the Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and was appointed by Governors Inslee and Ferguson onto the Commercial Aviation Working Group (CAWG) on where we will help to guide long term aviation planning and policy.

My experience across both the environmental and aviation sectors - locally, nationally and internationally has helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the people who make aviation possible, especially the pilots and ground crews who ensure our safety every day.  

I believe the future of aviation isn't just about who flies the planes - it's also about who builds, designs, maintains and leads the systems that support them. Just as importantly, it's about ensuring that pilots' voices - who are not only essential to our safety but also members of our communities - are heard in outreach, engagement and the policymaking that shapes the skies we share.

Chapter Membership

Roseanne Livingston

Aerospace means connecting the world and beyond. Airplanes are a life support device that can move people and products across the planet in less than a day. Rockets launch payloads beyond earth to explore and connect. And, I could not be more fascinated, charmed, and in love with it.

For the last 14 years, I have been lucky enough to work for The Boeing Company. My first role in the company was to help injured workers return to their job of injury. Though I helped employees through some life and career altering medical issues, I spent a lot of time on the manufacturing floor and fell in love with our product and our people. Currently, I am the Chief of Staff for 777 Manufacturing Operations; I love the pace, the buzz, and watching the plane roll out the door to the customer. They keep trying to get me to take a job out of the factory for “career growth” but I just can’t imagine not walking in under the shadow of that jet every day.

My first experience with Women in Aviation International was Long Beach in 2023. Something clicked on that trip and I realized that just because I’m not a pilot doesn’t mean I am not a woman in aviation. Though Boeing sends hundreds to the conference each year, I noticed a huge gap in our mechanic representation. I’ve since been able to sponsor 20 female MECHANICS to WAI. After that fulfilling experience, I wanted to get engaged locally and start paying it forward. A GIA day, a few other community events and chapter meetings later, I have been charmed by the women of the Washington State Chapter of WAI and sucked in!

I live perfectly nestled under the flight paths of PAE & SEA in Arlington, WA with my husband, three dogs, six goldfish and four snails. We, of course, love to travel anywhere the air will take us but are also satisfied by taking our RV and side-by-side somewhere out into the sand. I am a ground school drop out (I’ll finish someday, I swear), have my BA in Business Admin & Management and MS in Change Leadership & Management. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, stop by and let’s get our flight apps out and have a beverage!

Chapter Growth

Our chapter is  located in a bustling hub of the aviation industry, offering an exciting opportunity to engage with like-minded professionals. As we aim to expand our chapter, we aspire to establish a dynamic community that fosters growth and inclusivity. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing our chapter's offerings and scholarships, and elevating its prominence drives us to seek your support. Your collaboration in this endeavor will contribute immensely to our objective of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all members. We invite you to join us as we build a robust and flourishing Washington State Chapter. If you have any suggestions for meetups, activities, or partnerships with local organizations, we encourage you to contact one of our board members. We are actively seeking volunteers to serve on committees and chairperson roles.

President - Peggy Phillips