IWD 2026: The Women Helping to Elevate the In-Flight Services Industry
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To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, IFSA Insights Editor Stephanie Taylor spoke to three members of the IFSA Board of Directors about their proudest moments, favorite part of working within the in-flight services industry and their advice for young people wanting to enter the sector. United Airlines Global Director Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance, Catering & Lounges Vanessa Lindstrom; ITW Envopak Business Development Director, Airlines Nicky Slater; and Adulce Group Founder and Owner Dulce Martin share their stories.
People are the Industry’s Greatest Asset
For both Martin and Slater, it is who they work alongside that is their favorite part of the industry. Slater explained, “The best part for me is the global network of connections. In 20+ years of working with airlines, my job has taken me to over 20 countries and allowed me to interact with others from diverse backgrounds. These are people I would never have had the chance to engage with otherwise, and they have become real friends.” Martin added, “We have an incredible global network of fantastic individuals.”
The collaborations between these friends and colleagues are what keeps the industry going from strength to strength. For example, for Lindstrom there is one particular female colleague who stands out. “Michielle Sego Johnson, United Airlines VP Inflight Services and Catering Operations, is an authentic and inspirational leader.
“Three years ago, our team was added to her scope of work,” Lindstrom elaborated. “From the beginning, Michielle was engaged with the food safety program, seeking to learn everything about food safety. She has been instrumental with helping me build the food safety brand at United. Her support and recognition of our work has helped increase investment for the program and grow food safety culture. Michielle always advocates for us and together we keep food safety in sync with our #1 of our four core values: Safety.”
Being Part of Something Bigger is a Source of Pride
On what stands out as a career highlight, Martin looks back to COVID-19. “In terms of volunteering for IFSA, the association plays a vital role advocating for the needs of airlines, especially during challenging times,” she said. “Pivoting during the pandemic and being active in encouraging bipartisan lawmakers to support airline carriers is one for the books!”
“During the past nine years I’ve been at United, I’ve seen first-hand all the opportunities you have to advance your career”
– Vanessa Lindstrom, United
Likewise, it is propelling the in-flight services industry forward that Lindstrom focuses on when asked about achievements she is most proud of. “In 2020, I began co-chairing the IFSA Global Affairs and Education Committee (GAEC) and was the board liaison. I advocated for the World Food Safety Guidelines to align the requirements for airline catering with best practices of the food industry.
“Specifically, in 2022 we helped update and launch guidelines to align with an ISO-based Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) food safety scheme, FSSC 22000, which is internationally recognized as best in class. This has built the framework for IFSA GAEC to work directly with the ISO committee toward the creation of an ISO Technical Standard in the future.”
IWD is Recognized by Airlines and Suppliers
Both Lindstrom and Slater are proud to work for companies that understand the importance of International Women’s Day, something in line with this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” which acknowledges that “contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.”
“Working for a global organisation like ITW Inc, with 40,000+ employees worldwide, each business supports IWN in their own way,” confirmed Slater. “ITW also supports a global employee-led business resource group (BRG) supporting the advancement of women. These are run on a country-by-country basis by like-minded volunteers within the organization.”
Similarly, Lindstrom said United’s IWD campaign, which is carried out on a corporate level, recognizes and celebrates women in key non-traditional female roles. It is led by ulMPACT, the carrier’s employee-led BRG, which also marks Women’s History Month during March each year.
In-Flight Services Offers Great Career Prospects
Lindstrom and Slater both recognize that aviation, and in-flight services in particular, offers new entrants a world of possibilities. “Having had a 40-year career in three different countries (India, Australia and the US) in quality assurance and food safety roles in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industry, I never thought of a career in the aviation industry,” said Lindstrom. “During the past nine years I’ve been at United, I’ve seen first-hand all the opportunities you have to advance your career and move into different areas of the business based on your skills, interests and desired impact.”
“The best part for me is the global network of connections [with] people I would never have had the chance to engage with otherwise.“
– Nicky Slater, ITW Envopak
Slater agreed. “If you want a fun-loving industry with plenty of room for growth and the opportunity to see the world, then go for it! It’s a great industry to work in if you are prepared to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.”
IFSA’s Commitment to Championing Women’s Voices
According to the newly released 2025 MSCI report “Women on Boards and Beyond,” globally women held “28.3 per cent of board seats at large- and mid-cap companies” last year, with “48.7 per cent of companies having reached at least 30 per cent female representation as of October 2025.”
IFSA is proud to have 40 per cent female representation on its Board of Directors. Of the 15-strong board, six are currently female. In addition to Lindstrom, Martin and Slater, the IFSA Board of Directors also includes KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Food & Product Specialist Matrix de Vries; gategroup Global VP Business Development Diana Czapalay; and LSG Group CCO for The Americas Tone Cresswell.