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Listen "The Cost of Silence: DEI Rollbacks, Safety, and the Future of Aviation with Dr. Kimberly Perkins"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, host Shaesta Waiz speaks with Dr. Kimberly Perkins—787 airline pilot, research scientist at the University of Washington, and fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society—about the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion in aviation and why it matters for safety, innovation, and the next generation.
Kimberly shares how DEI was often treated as a branding campaign rather than systemic change, why psychological safety is inseparable from operational safety, and how silence in the cockpit or boardroom leads to risk. She explains why inclusion should be embedded into pilot training as a required competency, why emotional intelligence belongs alongside technical skill, and how leaders can shift from “I-frame” individual fixes to “S-frame” system solutions.
They discuss how DEI rollbacks reveal which organizations were truly committed, why allyship must extend to all—including men in positions of power—and the fatigue marginalized groups feel carrying the burden of proof. Kimberly closes with practical “micro-allyship” actions and advice for young women in aviation: don’t conform or gaslight, strive to be an ally, and use small, consistent acts of inclusion to reshape the system itself.
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 | Opening Reflections on DEI Rollbacks
01:34 | Season Seven Recap & Why This Conversation
04:44 | Introducing Dr. Kimberly Perkins
06:08 | Was DEI Ever on Solid Ground?
09:20 | Safety, Innovation, and Silencing Voices
12:41 | Psychological Safety in Aviation Teams
14:21 | From I-Frame to S-Frame: Systemic Solutions
17:33 | Allyship, Fatigue, and the Burden of Proof
21:21 | Message to Young Women Entering Aviation
24:26 | Micro-Allyship Toolkit: Small Acts, Big Change
27:15 | Rollbacks, Military Aviation, and Funding Gaps
30:46 | Final Thoughts and Call to Collective Action
Follow Dr. Kimberly Perkins
Website: www.kimberly-perkins.com
LinkedIn: Kimberly Perkins
Follow Shaesta Waiz
Website: shaestawaiz.com
LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz
Instagram: @shaesta.waiz
TikTok: @shaestawaiz
Shaesta Waiz on YouTube: YouTube (Aviate Platform)
Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group
Website:www.massifsp.com
LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production
Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com
LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kimberly shares how DEI was often treated as a branding campaign rather than systemic change, why psychological safety is inseparable from operational safety, and how silence in the cockpit or boardroom leads to risk. She explains why inclusion should be embedded into pilot training as a required competency, why emotional intelligence belongs alongside technical skill, and how leaders can shift from “I-frame” individual fixes to “S-frame” system solutions.
They discuss how DEI rollbacks reveal which organizations were truly committed, why allyship must extend to all—including men in positions of power—and the fatigue marginalized groups feel carrying the burden of proof. Kimberly closes with practical “micro-allyship” actions and advice for young women in aviation: don’t conform or gaslight, strive to be an ally, and use small, consistent acts of inclusion to reshape the system itself.
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 | Opening Reflections on DEI Rollbacks
01:34 | Season Seven Recap & Why This Conversation
04:44 | Introducing Dr. Kimberly Perkins
06:08 | Was DEI Ever on Solid Ground?
09:20 | Safety, Innovation, and Silencing Voices
12:41 | Psychological Safety in Aviation Teams
14:21 | From I-Frame to S-Frame: Systemic Solutions
17:33 | Allyship, Fatigue, and the Burden of Proof
21:21 | Message to Young Women Entering Aviation
24:26 | Micro-Allyship Toolkit: Small Acts, Big Change
27:15 | Rollbacks, Military Aviation, and Funding Gaps
30:46 | Final Thoughts and Call to Collective Action
Follow Dr. Kimberly Perkins
Website: www.kimberly-perkins.com
LinkedIn: Kimberly Perkins
Follow Shaesta Waiz
Website: shaestawaiz.com
LinkedIn: Shaesta Waiz
Instagram: @shaesta.waiz
TikTok: @shaestawaiz
Shaesta Waiz on YouTube: YouTube (Aviate Platform)
Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group
Website:www.massifsp.com
LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production
Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com
LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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