News

NLAF Announces 2025 Elsie Award Recipients

June 9, 2025, Toronto, ON – The Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF) is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the prestigious “Elsie” award, recognizing Canadian women who have made a significant contribution to aviation or aerospace.

The award, named for aviation pioneer and human rights activist, Elsie Gregory MacGill, recognizes outstanding women across seven categories.

“The 2025 ‘Elsie’ recipients represent the diversity of the industry-wide roles in which women are natural leaders and role models who inspire and support their colleagues to excel in aviation and aerospace. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our 16th Elsie gala,” says Lynne McMullen, President of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

The 2025 award recipients are:

Business Award – Samantha Golinski
Education Award – Jackie Book
Engineering Award – Silvia Bianchi
Flight Operations Award – Allison Rumbolt
Government – Nathalie Sleno
Rising Star – Heather Hills
Rising Star – Natalie Leung
Trailblazer – Denise Egglestone

See the Wall of Fame page for the full bio for each recipient.

This year’s gala awards dinner will be held October 4, 2025 at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

For further information about the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, visit northernlightsaerofoundation.com and follow NLAF on social media.