New Members
January 2025
Dionne Liu
Dionne is a lawyer at the law firm of Harper Grey LLP, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her aviation practice comprises of handling personal injury and property damage claims in the context of aviation incidents, contract-related issues, passenger claims against airlines in relation to delays, cancellations, and baggage, and a variety of issues for airports.
Chinmayee Das
Fardus Jannatul Dolly
Jannatul Firdaus Dolly is a student at the College of Aviation Technology (Catech). She is seeking a BBA (Hon's) in Aviation Management.
Kerry Norman
Nackia Salmon
Mary Ellen Jones
Samantha Franks
Samantha Franks counsels global and U.S. companies on matters of international trade, including sanctions law, export and import controls, forced labor prevention, anti-corruption measures, government investigations and international arbitration. She maintains a cross-cutting regulatory practice, frequently advising international airlines on their entry into the U.S. market and their exposure to international trade law.
Samantha’s global experience is complemented by her time as a Dean Acheson Legal Fellow at the Court of European Justice, where she clerked for Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou and studied the confluence of U.S. and European Union law. She currently serves as a subject matter expert on the forced labor prevention task force established by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Trafficking in Persons. Prior to law school, she studied international conflict prevention as a Fulbright postgraduate scholar in the United Kingdom.
Melissa Griffiths
Melissa (Mel) was born and raised in Scotland and began her engineering career 26 years ago in the UK Military completing 14 years in the Royal Navy, retiring as a decorated Aircraft and Propulsion Chief Petty Officer with extensive operational experience, holding a variety of leadership and management positions. On retirement, she joined Rolls-Royce in 2012 where she held a variety of leadership roles supporting multiple international military and civilian customers with their gas turbine maintenance programs. She held a variety of roles in engineering including investigating engine events and aircraft accidents, engine maintenance, Engineering Customer Support and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and was the subject matter expert in Root Cause Investigations and analytical techniques for Rolls-Royce both in the UK and in their US office in Indianapolis, IN. She joined Delta Air Lines in 2019 into Propulsion Engineering, based in Atlanta, GA where she manages multiple engine fleets and the Propulsion Operations team for the Delta mainline fleets under Part 121, as well as engine maintenance for several customers under Part 145 with her previous OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) knowledge and experience. Mel has an MSc Forensic Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University (UK) and a First Class BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Bradford (UK). She also holds qualifications in Leadership, PPM (Professional in Project Management), Airworthiness and Accident Investigation. Mel and her family currently live in Atlanta, GA and have been living and working in the USA for the last 10 years.
Cora McCormack
Córa is the Executive Vice President of Airline Marketing in the EMEA region of SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the top aircraft leasing companies globally. Previously held positions include Airline Marketing, Commercial Negotiation and Deliveries and Funding operations all within SMBC Aviation Capital. With almost 20 years experience in the Aviation Sector, Córa has a proven track record of developing and deepening new markets, growing a strong customer base while focused on deepening relationships within the industry. Córa holds a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Limerick (Ireland) and a Masters in International Securities and Investment Banking from the University of Reading (UK).
Gillian Cooney
Gillian is Head of Human Resources, responsible for leading our HR team and for partnering with the business to deliver People Strategy. Prior to joining SMBC AC, Gillian was Head of Talent Management at AIB where she led the Talent and Performance Management team for 5 years. Earlier in her career, Gillian qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant and worked for ten years as a Management Consultant with Accenture, where she delivered business, IT and people change solutions to a diverse client base.
Julia Dib
Julie Dib graduated from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP) with a Law degree and currently works as a Junior Associate at the Brazilian law firm Veirano Advogados, specializing in Banking & Finance and Aviation Finance. She is proactive, organized, and constantly seeking new opportunities for learning and professional networking.
Amanda Hoyt
Amanda Hoyt is a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University majoring in Aeronautics. She is passionate about and loves aviation, and is working to discover what career in the field is the best fit for her. Amanda is the treasurer for the Granite Mountain Ninety-Nines. As a board member for her chapter, she works to encourage and support other young women as they get their pilot's licenses.
Gabriela Del Mastro
Gabriela Del Mastro is a dedicated aviation enthusiastic, and is proud to be a woman thriving in this dynamic industry. Her journey began at Aviation College, where she honed her skills and knowledge to embark on this thrilling career.
With a strong background in aircraft leasing, financing, and procurement, Gabriela brings a wealth of experience to the table. She has had the privilege of forging relationships with key stakeholders, including lessors, OEMs, and financiers. These connections have been instrumental in shaping her expertise and contributing to successful aviation ventures.
December 2024
Erin Alkire
Zornitza Atanassov
Zornitza Atanassov is a senior associate in the aviation and litigation practice at Clyde & Co’s Paris office. She regularly represents airlines and their insurers before the French courts, handling matters that span multi-jurisdiction major catastrophe losses, bodily injury claims, passenger claims (including those under EU 261/2004), and cargo claims. Her broad experience in aviation and complex litigation enables her to deliver strategic guidance and robust advocacy for her clients.
Katherine Minarik
Katie currently works at SkyWorks Holdings where she evaluates potential investments, prices assets for remarketing and supports the SkyWorks' leasing arm. Prior to joining the firm, Katie specialized in aircraft, engine, spare part inventory valuations and aftermarket product line management experience. She holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and an M.S. in Aviation and Aerospace Management, both from Purdue University.
Clara Pauline Resenhoeft
Letisha Sailor
Letisha D. Sailor is a Principal at GKG Law, P.C., with his over 20 years of aviation, tax, and accounting experience. Letisha has assisted hundreds of aircraft owners and operators with aviation tax planning to minimize state tax consequences, maximize federal tax deductions, meet FAA regulatory requirements, and ensure ongoing compliance with recordkeeping and reporting requirements. She has also assisted clients with structuring a vast number of aircraft transactions, including drafting and negotiating purchase/sales agreements, dry lease agreements, aircraft and charter management agreements, and co-ownership agreements.
In addition to tax planning and structuring, Letisha has represented numerous aircraft owners and operators in all aspects of state and federal tax examinations, including representing clients during audit examinations and administrative appeals; negotiating with IRS and state revenue personnel to resolve tax assessments; and representing clients before the U.S. Tax Court and state courts and administrative tribunals.
Lily Waring
Lily Waring joined Starr in 2022, marking her first step into the aviation insurance field. She began her career as an underwriting assistant on the General Aviation team while also supporting Starr Consultant Services, gaining valuable exposure across the entire Aviation department. Shortly after joining, Lily relocated to London, and in early 2024, she transitioned into a dedicated underwriting assistant role for the Airlines team. Although relatively new to the industry—having joined straight from secondary school—Lily has rapidly expanded her insurance knowledge under the guidance of colleagues with decades of experience.