IAWA Names Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison Woman of Excellence
The International Association of Women in Aviation honored the former OBAP executive director at its annual conference in Philadelphia.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Air Travel
The International Association of Women in Aviation named Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison its 2026 Woman of Excellence Award recipient during its Annual Conference, held November 3-5 in Philadelphia. The award recognizes women who demonstrate leadership, mentorship and a commitment to creating opportunities for future generations of aviation and aerospace professionals.
Why it matters
The award highlights sustained leadership in aviation and aerospace, a field where women have historically been underrepresented in senior roles. Blacknall-Jamison's recognition comes as she concludes her tenure leading the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.
Blacknall-Jamison has more than 48 years of aviation and aerospace experience and more than 30 years in senior leadership, including four decades of involvement with OBAP. The source does not detail her post-OBAP plans.
The players
Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison
A former executive director of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, she also works as an executive coach, consultant and mentor through VBJ Solutions, Inc.
International Association of Women in Aviation
A professional organization that promotes the advancement of women across the aviation and aerospace industries and presents the Woman of Excellence Award.
The details
Blacknall-Jamison was recognized for her career in aviation, which includes serving as executive director of OBAP, becoming the organization's first female and first non-pilot board chair, and induction into its Hall of Fame in 2024. Her earlier work includes leadership roles at the Federal Aviation Administration and senior manager of emergency procedures training at United Airlines.
Timeline
2024: Blacknall-Jamison was inducted into the OBAP Hall of Fame.
August 2026: She concluded her tenure as executive director of OBAP.
November 3-5, 2026: IAWA held its Annual Conference in Philadelphia, where the award was presented.
Industry Dynamics
The recognition reflects continued efforts to elevate women into senior roles across U.S. aviation, a sector where the Federal Aviation Administration oversees safety and operations. Honors like the IAWA award place individual careers within a broader push to expand representation in leadership.
The award itself does not change how travelers book flights or move through airports. Its relevance for passengers is indirect, reflecting leadership and career development within the aviation workforce that operates U.S. air travel.
The takeaway
Recognition of women in aviation leadership underscores that expanding mentorship and opportunity is central to the industry's workforce future. Readers interested in aerospace careers can follow organizations like IAWA and OBAP to learn about pathways into the field.
Further reading
Explore more on Air Travel to see how aviation careers and industry leadership shape the flying experience.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation Pros.
