March 10, 2025
At NAV CANADA, women not only play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of Canada's airspace but also lead with purpose, breaking barriers and building forward-looking solutions while driving change in the aviation industry. These women are redefining what it means to be a leader—championing diversity and inclusion, and mentoring the next generation of trailblazers. They foster supportive environments where others feel safe to thrive and collaborate.
On this International Women’s Day, we proudly spotlight the stories of three remarkable women who embody NAV CANADA’s mission, vision, and values of proudly caring, building trust, working together, and setting the standard. Through their leadership, innovation, and commitment to empowering other women they are fostering inclusive environments, challenging industry norms, and are paving the way for a more dynamic future.
Take Christine “Chris” Cassey, for example. She is celebrated for her leadership and mentorship, qualities she embodies with empathy and purpose. With 24 years of experience, she excels in her role as Site Manager, demonstrating that a leadership path doesn’t need to be linear—especially in an industry as dynamic as aviation. Although aviation wasn’t originally Chris’s career plan, her success is a testament to the power of curiosity and adaptability.
With a background in Environmental Engineering Technology, Chris’s first exposure to aviation came while working as a radio operator at a remote forest fire base which sparked a lasting interest in the field. Following a non-traditional career path, she transitioned from an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training role to a Training Simulation Specialist position. From there, she explored roles in labour relations and job evaluation before ultimately moving into management.
She reflects, “The aviation industry has changed, with more women stepping into leadership roles, but there’s still progress to be made.” As a mentor and coach, Chris leads by example, fostering a supportive environment based on trust where others feel safe to explore their potential. She draws on her diverse background and commitment to collaboration, empowering other women to drive meaningful change in the industry.
Q: How do you support and uplift other women in your workplace or community?
A: Most importantly, I show up as my authentic self every day. Sometimes, what people need most is someone to remind them that they can do the thing. I have conversations with people about their goals, help them recognize opportunities, and share my experiences to guide them. I do this by taking the best of what I’ve learned from my mentors and paying it forward, always aiming to lift others up. This isn’t just how I am at work, it’s who I am always.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from someone at NAV CANADA?
A: A former senior leader at NAV CANADA, once told me, “you don’t have to remain where you are—there are other paths.” At the time, I was traveling constantly for a labour relations role with a five-year-old at home and I was overwhelmed. I felt like I was stuck, but I just needed someone to remind me that I wasn’t.
That advice not only inspired a directional shift for me, it also shaped how I lead today. I encourage people to apply for roles, take risks, and to not limit themselves. Too often, we hold ourselves back because we don’t think we’re capable. But growth comes from putting yourself out there. If you don’t, who will?
Q: How do you challenge stereotypes or biases in your industry?
A: People need to see women thriving in aviation, in positions of leadership, and technical roles. The more we show up, the more we normalize diversity in this space. I surround myself with strong, supportive women, and I keep pushing forward. We are definitely starting to see changes in the workplace and this inspires the work we are doing. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is about making sure opportunities exist for everyone.
Marie’s success in leading the ATS Scheduling Optimization Team is a powerful example of how collaboration and teamwork drive individual success while advancing a shared mission. Though relatively new to NAV CANADA, she has already made a significant impact. After starting in an operational role at the Quebec Flight Information Centre, she quickly transitioned to her current position, leading an all-woman team that excels at solving complex scheduling challenges.
Through her leadership, Marie has cultivated a strong, supportive culture that promotes operational excellence while fostering an environment where team members feel empowered and valued. Speaking about her team, she says: “They are fantastic problem-solvers who can tackle last-minute absences and scheduling puzzles while maintaining outstanding communication and customer service skills. We are well-aligned as a team, and we all have each other's backs. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
In the past two years, Marie has focused on optimizing scheduling, streamlining internal operations, and supporting major company projects. Beyond operations, she actively contributes to NAV CANADA’s broader mission through her work on the National Advisory Committee, championing initiatives such as Pride, Black History Month, and International Women’s Day.
Q: How do you support and uplift other women in your workplace or community?
A: I begin by fostering openness, empathy, and a safe space for conversations—whether someone needs a listening ear, advice, or help solving a problem. Building strong connections is key to driving collaboration and change. I strive to create these safe spaces not just for the women on our team but for our clients as well. When you establish genuine connections, it elevates the work that follows. I also prioritize development conversations, encouraging colleagues to explore new opportunities. I love coaching and naturally recognize the potential in others. When I do, I advocate for them, open doors, and push them to grow.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from someone at NAV CANADA?
A: Two key lessons have shaped my leadership approach. First, I was once told, “What got you here won’t get you there.” This idea pushes me to continuously improve—not just for myself, but to better support my team. Second, the concept of “lifting as you climb and not losing your humanity along the way” is deeply important to me. Leadership isn’t just about personal success; it’s about setting a standard for excellence while bringing others up with you.
When I joined a tightly knit scheduling team that had experienced leadership turnover, I focused on building trust and fostering openness before implementing necessary changes. Working together, we standardized processes across regions, strengthened collaboration, and created a united, supportive team—ultimately improving scheduling and enhancing safety within the organization.
Q: How do you challenge stereotypes or biases in your industry?
A: I try to lead by example and foster intentional conversations about diversity and inclusion. We currently have an open job posting for our team and I am working to diversify the hiring panel to ensure different perspectives are brought to the table. I also prioritize self-awareness and unconscious bias training, recognizing that real change starts with challenging our own assumptions. Beyond that, I push for meaningful discussions with allies—both women and men—to drive systemic change.
Cindy Orti may have stumbled upon a recruitment email for her current role at NAV CANADA by chance, but she says the job was the perfect opportunity to challenge herself and contribute to an important, dynamic industry. She joined the company in 2022 after a successful 14-year career with the Government of Canada, most recently at Transport Canada. Her background in transformation communications and change management gave her the expertise to excel in this role. Cindy says NAV CANADA turned out to be a perfect fit—especially given its ongoing modernization.
As Manager of Strategic Communications, Cindy leverages her expertise and sets the standard for high-quality communications at NAV CANADA. She builds trust and fosters a collaborative team approach within her department. Passionate about her work, she thrives on creativity and engagement. “Communications is a function that really allows for creativity in the corporate environment, and I love the opportunity to collaborate and engage with diverse people and portfolios,” she says.
Q: How do you support and uplift other women in your workplace or community?
A: When I first joined NAV CANADA, I was immediately inspired by the number of women in leadership roles—a refreshing change from my previous experiences. It reinforced my belief in the importance of supporting women as they grow and become more visible. However, growth and visibility can be intimidating, often requiring us to step outside our comfort zones. That’s why I encourage the women around me to focus on being just 1% better each day. This approach emphasizes small, manageable steps that make improvement less daunting and, over time, lead to meaningful progress and increased confidence.
People who know me would say I have a glass-half-full attitude and bring positive energy to my interactions. I think that’s also a big part of creating an environment that helps women grow. For me, lifting each other up isn’t optional—it’s a principle of life. Celebrating each other’s successes, sharing stories of achievement, and recognizing our efforts help build a culture where women can truly be unstoppable.
Q: How do you challenge stereotypes or biases in your industry?
A: One stereotype that has come up throughout my career is the idea that women have to choose between a career and a family. I personally experienced this bias when I was once passed over for a promotion because my manager assumed I was at an age where I’d likely start a family. Ironically, the role was given to a male colleague who took parental leave right away, proving how unfair and outdated these assumptions are.
The idea that women can’t manage both career and personal commitments is an old argument that needs to be challenged. I push back on this thinking by empowering women to go after everything they want and showcasing real examples of women who successfully manage that balance.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received from someone at NAV CANADA?
A: NAV CANADA is a place filled with high performers and big ideas, and that’s what I love so much about it. But it can be intimidating when there are so many smart people around the table. That being said, the best advice I’ve received is to speak up! When women speak up, it gives others the confidence to do the same. I’d tell anyone, especially women: Don’t hold back out of fear of being wrong or repeating what’s been said. Speaking up pushes the conversation forward, and we all benefit from hearing your perspective.
At NAV CANADA, an inclusive culture with diverse people is not a “box-checking” exercise. It’s about embracing the qualities and characteristics unique to each individual and leveraging the benefits that diversity provides to our business.