ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2024 - 47

" I'm very grateful for the opportunity to attend the ISTAT conference and
be mentored by an aviation professional. My mentor has been exceptional to me. Her
kindness, willingness to share her own experiences, wisdom and practical advice are
all qualities from which I've learned. " - Intan Ardhita, Student
The Joy and ROI
of Mentorship
Johnsen shares her personal drive
for fostering mentorship, stating, " It
means a great deal to me to have
the opportunity to guide and support
rising professionals by sharing my
knowledge, experience and network as
the students launch and navigate their
aviation careers. "
Both of the recent mentorship
receptions were graciously
sponsored by Azorra. Not only are
the gatherings beneficial for both
students and mentors alike, but they
are quite enjoyable, featuring scrolling
quotations, music, speeches and even
ice-breaker " ISTAT Bingo, " where
students can seamlessly approach
industry professionals in an attempt
to learn more about them and gain a
bingo signature.
During each reception, Ron
Baur, president of Azorra, remarked
upon his own career development
through mentorship, stating to the
group: " I've experienced first-hand
the value of initiatives like the ISTAT
Foundation, having learned from many
inspirational figures during my time at
Continental Airlines, United, Embraer
and Azorra. I've had the opportunity
to work with Gordon Bethune, Larry
Kellner and Gerry Laderman, as well
as John Slattery and John Evans.
In each case, these leaders were
enormously generous with their time
and knowledge. Working with them
provided me with invaluable insights
that support me in my role as Azorra's
president today. "
One of Baur's mentors, Laderman,
who is the chief financial officer at
United Airlines and was also present
during the receptions, echoes this
sentiment for aviation industry
professionals to take every opportunity
to show young professionals the
opportunities available to build a longterm
career in our industry. " Mentoring,
even for only a few days at an ISTAT
conference, is one of the best tools we
have to accomplish this objective and
will pay dividends to the industry for
years, " Laderman says.
Indeed, if we are to indulge our
analytical financial predilections,
the Mentorship Program provides
the greatest return on investment
by providing hands-on experience
to develop a pipeline for the best
talent for the future of aviation. " This
practical approach ensures that our
industry remains innovative, dynamic
and competitive for the long run, "
Johnsen says.
From Classroom to
Conference Room
The participating students will have
already received scholarship support
from the ISTAT Foundation, and many
will have taken courses at ISTAT
University. The Mentorship Program
serves as that natural next step by
partnering a student's academic skills
with the practical life experiences of
an industry executive, adding context,
insight and historic knowledge to the
textbook concepts.
Having served as both an ISTAT
U presenter and a mentor, Damon
D'Agostino, principal at Maverick
Aviation Ventures, is always excited
to see the students take the skills
obtained through so many of the
ISTAT Mentors
ISTAT EMEA 2023
and ISTAT Americas 2024
* Alok Anand
* Ron Baur
* Sarah Conway
* Scott Daniels
* Richard Goodhead
* Peter Huijbers
* Christine Rovelli
* David Tokoph
* Richie Wall
* Steve Boecker
* Damon J. D'Agostino
* Michael Halaby
* Adam Pilarski
* Doug Runte
* Betsy Snyder
* Jean Stein
* David Tokoph
* Jason Wayne
ISTAT programs from the classroom
to the conference room. " In sum, the
students are all in, and I am pleased to
play a part in helping raise up the next
generation of talent in our industry, "
D'Agostino says.
The Mutual Benefits
of Mentorship
Mentors not only impart advice and
guidance onto mentees, but they also
invite mentees to appropriate meetings
and arrange for introductions, growing
the students' business networks
exponentially and paving the way for
employment opportunities. Mentorship
can also be rewarding and beneficial
to the mentors. ISTAT Foundation
* SUMMER 2024 * 47
ISTAT Jetrader - Summer 2024

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