Air Canada and CAE, two of Canada’s premiere aerospace companies headquartered in Montréal, announced the eight recipients of the seventh edition of the Air Canada and CAE Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship.
Every year, up to eight Canadian women studying to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers are awarded scholarships to pursue their training. Of these recipients, four aspiring commercial pilots will join the CAE Women in Flight program as ambassadors.
“Each year, the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship allows us to witness the incredible talent, perseverance, and passion of women who are shaping the future of aviation in Canada. This year’s recipients stand out not only for their academic excellence and technical skill, but for the leadership and mentorship they demonstrate within their communities,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs at Air Canada. “Their achievements embody the very spirit of this scholarship – honoring Captain Judy Cameron’s trailblazing legacy while empowering the next generation of women to pursue careers as commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. We are proud to support their journeys and remain deeply committed to advancing gender parity in STEM and technical aviation careers.”
“Today, women still represent just about five percent of commercial pilots worldwide. CAE is proud to once again support the Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship, an initiative that plays a meaningful role in encouraging more women to pursue careers in aviation and inspire the next generation. This year’s recipients reflect the talent and determination that will help shape the future of our industry, and we are honored to fuel their aspirations and support their path,” said Marie-Christine Cloutier, Vice President, Strategy & Marketing. “Four of the recipients will become CAE Women in Flight ambassadors to serve as role models, promoting diversity in aviation and inspiring other women to follow in their footsteps.”
“Air Canada launched the Captain Judy Cameron scholarship program seven years ago, and it has been truly inspiring to celebrate the remarkable achievements of past recipients as they go on to become flight instructors, medevac pilots, and First Officers at major airlines,” said Judy Cameron, Boeing 777 Captain at Air Canada (retired), and Director, Northern Lights Aero Foundation. “The 2026 recipients exemplify excellence, not only in their own training, but in the way they actively uplift and encourage other women in their aviation journeys. I am incredibly proud of CAE and Air Canada’s continued commitment to advancing women in aviation through its partnership with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.”
The Air Canada recipients for 2026 are:
- Faith Mulholland of Eden Mills, Ontario
- Afrah Khan from Edmonton, Alberta
- Aymie Rioux from St. Germain, Québec
- Kesaia Bruni from Mississauga, Ontario
The following individuals will join the CAE Women in Flight Program:
- Katelyn Flear of Caledonia, Ontario
- Madison Crane from Etobicoke, Ontario
- Sophia Hutchcroft of Calgary, Alberta
- Natasha Razzak from Sherwood Park, Alberta
The annual Captain Judy Cameron Scholarships, established in honor of Air Canada’s first female pilot to help foster the next generation of women following in her trailblazing footsteps, are awarded in conjunction with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
The Captain Judy Cameron scholarships were introduced in 2019 and initially awarded to four recipients. In 2023, Air Canada and CAE joined forces to double the number of scholarships, awarding a total of eight to eligible students.
To learn more about the program, go to CAE Women in Flight Ambassador Program
