New Members

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.

November 2024

Kylie Ahern

Kylie Ahern is sought after by global brands across three continents and has built a significant reputation for excellence across multiple sectors in the sciences. Her science engagement agency, STEM Matters, has worked with over 70 clients both domestically and internationally to build their influence, audience, and revenue goals.

Kylie has reshaped science communications and science publishing in Australia with extraordinary success. Over the course of her career, she has co-founded three enormously successful multi-award-winning publications: COSMOS, Australia’s first home-grown science magazine; G Magazine, the first-ever âgreen lifestyleâ sustainability-focused magazine; and The Brilliant, the first global hub for science communication. Recognised internationally for her leadership in publishing, she was at the head of Nature Publishing Group’s successful expansion into Australia and NZ. In 2024 she launched Brilliant Poetry, the world’s first science poetry competition.

Ana Azcoitia

Ana Azcoitia is a student of the LL.M. in Air and Space Law at McGill University. She holds a BA/LLB, from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, where she presented her thesis âAeromexico v. Emirates: the dispute on the Barceolna Route under the 5th Freedom of the Air provided in the Chicago Convention and the Mexican Constitutionâ, obtaining a Cum Laude distinction. She also holds a certificate on international financial law from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Before enrolling as an LL.M. student, Ana worked for 6 years in two major law firms in Mexico City, focusing her practice in the aviation industry. Her professional experience includes from regulatory and corporate matters to aircraft leasing and financing, for passenger and cargo airlines, private air taxi services and airport operators.

Kate Fitzpatrick

Kate Fitzpatrick is a graduate of the University of Limerick, where she earned a degree in International Insurance and European Studies. A Chartered Insurance Practitioner and Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), Kate has been a dedicated professional in the aircraft leasing industry since 2008. Her expertise and extensive experience make her a valuable contributor to this dynamic field.

Kelsey Justice

Madelyn Maier

Madelyn Maier is a driven professional with a background in mechanical engineering and finance. She has been with GE Aerospace for one year, specializing in Market Intelligence, following 2.5 years with GE Power, where she honed her skills in manufacturing and supply chain operations. Madelyn is currently pursuing her MBA at Xavier University, further enhancing her expertise in business strategy and leadership.

Camilla Palhares

Camilla is an Innovation Analyst at SMBC Aviation Capital, working within The Nest, the company’s innovation hub. She focuses on exploring and implementing AI-driven solutions, developing sustainability initiatives for airlines, and evaluating business cases for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

With a background in finance and data analytics, Camilla led SMBC’s winning team at the IATA Global Diversity & Inclusion Datathon and serves as Vice-Chair of the MOSAIC (DEI) committee. She is also co-founder of Voice, a social initiative offering free English lessons to women in vulnerable communities in Brazil. Before joining SMBC AC, she spent four years at Santander, in Structured Finance and Investment Banking teams.

Artemis Papanika

With an extensive career leading operations in the aviation sector, I am currently the COO at Zurich Airport Brasil, entrusted with the stewardship of operations across four major airports. My core competencies include strategic planning and execution, workforce optimization, and customer relationship management—all anchored in a mission to deliver unparalleled service excellence. My leadership is defined by a commitment to innovation and efficiency, aligning with our company's culture of continuous improvement.

My approach integrates collaborative leadership with a focus on customer satisfaction and process improvement.

Eimear Pepper

Eimear is senior vice president OEM Relations with responsibility for managing the commercial relationship with the Airframe and Engine OEMs. She joined the OEM Relations team in 2021 having started in SMBC Aviation Capital in 2013. She has 20 years aviation experience primarily in technical roles. Eimear holds a degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a MBA with Distinction both awarded by Trinity College. Eimear is a Chartered Engineer.