Scholarships
Captain Judy Cameron
This scholarship targets young women in pursuit of careers as Commercial Pilots or Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, who may not have the financial means to do so. It is open to all women who are Canadian citizens and who have been accepted or are enrolled in a post-secondary aviation flight program or aircraft repair and maintenance program. Preference is given to those who volunteer to help other women in aviation or who have financial need.
Sponsored by Air Canada and CAE, who have partnered to provide scholarships for up to eight aspiring Canadian women in aviation.
Northern Lights Aero Foundation is pleased to announce eight recipients of the sixth annual Captain Judy Cameron scholarship for Canadian women in aviation. Congratulations to all the recipients!
2025 Recipients
The Northern Lights Aero Foundation is pleased to announce eight recipients of the sixth annual Captain Judy Cameron scholarship for Canadian women in aviation. Air Canada and CAE generously provided funding of $5,000 for each scholarship recipient. Seven pilots and one Aircraft Maintenance Engineer were chosen from across Canada for their accomplishments, inspiration, and encouragement of other women in aviation.
“Meeting scholarship recipients at the Northern Lights gala each year is the highlight of the evening for me,” said Judy Cameron, retired Air Canada Boeing 777 Captain. “These young women are the future of aviation. They have not only shown determination and excellence in their training, but they have also encouraged other women by mentoring and volunteering. Thanks to Air Canada and CAE for supporting diversity in these fields where women are so underrepresented.”
The 2025 Air Canada recipients are:
Kimberly Ballantyne, 40 (Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba) is completing her Commercial Pilot License at Harv’s Air in Winnipeg. She is a single mother and the first indigenous pilot from her community. While working at Manitoba Aerospace, she launched Indigenous Aviation and Aerospace Aviation Showcase. Kimberly belongs to the Manitoba Ninety-Nines and Women in Aerospace Canada (WIA).
Liv Letourneau, 18 (Port Moody, British Columbia) is taking the accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program at the B.C. Institute of Technology, after overcoming significant personal challenges. She has volunteered with Air Cadets, the Junior Firefighters Program, and Junior Police Academy. She plans to mentor other women to became AME’s.
Aymie Rioux, 38 (Lac La Tortue, Québec) is completing her Private Pilot License at the Centre de Formation Aéronautique de Québec. She has guided outdoor adventure expeditions all over the world, in addition to volunteer work in Bolivia, Nicaragua and Mali. Aymie belongs to the Ninety-Nines and Les Cercles des Fermières and is active with a volunteer search and rescue team.
Trisha Virdee, 24 (Innisfil, Ontario) has just completed her Honours Bachelor of Aviation program at Seneca Polytechnic with an Integrated Airline Transport Rating. She was Vice President of Seneca’s School of Aviation Council, is a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves, volunteers with Dreams Take Flight and Elevate, and is a Northern Lights Aero Foundation Junior Board member, who founded and co-hosts the “Blue Skies by NLAF” podcast.
The 2025 CAE Women in Flight Ambassadors:
Neghat Hidari, 24 (Mount Brydges, Ontario) is completing her Commercial Pilot License at Diamond Flight Centre and her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Seneca Polytechnic. Despite working up to four jobs, she volunteers with Elevate, Urban Pilots Network, and Women In Aviation International (WAI), while co-leading the Mentorship Committee of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation Junior Board.
Miriam Roumia, 22 (Waterloo, Ontario) has completed the Commercial Pilot written test at the University of Waterloo, where she is in fourth year of the Science and Aviation Program. She was Vice-President of Marketing for the University of Waterloo Aviation Society, and volunteers with Elevate, the Ninety-Nines, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.
Kayla McNeely, 25 (Calgary, Alberta) is building time for her Commercial Pilot License at Moncton Flight College. She overcame childhood adversity to become an international level speed skater and complete her nursing degree. Kayla has provided volunteer medical aid in Nicaragua and coached for the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing.
Arpan Srawn, 23 (Edmonton, Alberta) is completing her Multi-Engine Instrument Rating in the University of Waterloo Science and Aviation Program. She revived the Women In Aviation International Winged Warriors chapter, mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the University of Waterloo Aviation Society. She also supports new students as a university don, and volunteers for aviation events as a Ninety-Nine.