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Climbing High
Overcoming gender imbalances in the aerospace industry
By Maddie te Winkel
Women have accomplished enormous gains professionally , socially , and politically in the last decade . Their dedication to overcoming gender and diversity barriers has been relentless , yet at times seemingly impossible — making their success and stories all the more inspirational . Doctor Fariba Alamdari is one these dedicated women . Her story starts in Tehran , Iran where she laid her foundation for a lifelong commitment to education , aviation , and aerospace .
Maddie te Winkle , MIT https :// www . olicomms . com
Born in Tehran to a family that encouraged education , Fariba recalls the permeating effects of revolution and war on her life . She managed to move to the U . K . where she obtained her master ’ s degree in Transport Studies and a Ph . D . in Air Transport Economics and Management from Cranfield University , a premier university with its roots in aerospace . “ I felt compelled to make aviation my career . I was fascinated by airplanes , but also captivated by the business side of the industry .”
She went on to become a full professor and dean at the same university . One of her greatest gratifications during this period was being able to “ educate and mentor so many others ,” some of whom are now CEOs and senior executives in the industry globally .
58 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS