Air Canada Wins for Diversity in Leadership

Air Canada has won the inaugural award for Diversity in Leadership at the 2019 Airline Strategy Awards presented in London, England.

The prize recognizes an airline organization that promotes diversity among its senior leadership team.

“We are very pleased to receive this award because Air Canada has made diversity a strategic focus and this has not only enriched our workplace, but it has also become a competitive advantage for our company,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, senior vice-president, People, Culture and Communications. “One way we have done this is by encouraging diversity throughout the company, including in the leadership ranks. That a well-regarded, international organization such as the Airline Strategy Awards is recognizing our efforts is evidence that we are succeeding in building a truly diverse company.”

Max Kingsley-Jones, executive director content at FlightGlobal and host of The Airline Strategy Awards, commented, “Airlines led by the smartest and most innovative management teams still set the benchmark to which others aspire. The Airline Strategy Awards have recognized the best in boardroom leadership for 18 years, and 2019’s winners all excel in this regard.”

This is the first year The Airline Strategy Awards have presented the Diversity in Leadership Award. The winner was chosen based on achievement in areas such as increasing the diversity of a leadership team; promoting and advancing the careers of diverse leaders; and creating organizational conditions that contribute to attracting and retaining diverse leaders and professionals.

Air Canada’s award was accepted by Catherine Dyer, senior vice-president and chief information officer, at an award ceremony on July 14.

This is the third consecutive year Air Canada has won an award from Airline Strategy, in 2018 Calin Rovinescu, president and chief executive officer of Air Canada, won for Executive Leadership, and in 2017 Air Canada won for Finance.