Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2025

FORWARD MOMENTUM Women In Leadership Panelists Discussed Mentorship, Allies and Advocating For Change

Innovators across the industry gathered to dissect the state of progress in airport workplaces at this year’s Women in Leadership breakfast. The discussion, moderated by Airport Experience News vice president and publisher Melissa K. Montes, kicked off by asking the panel for a piece of advice that’s influenced their personal approach to leadership. For Paradies Lagardère’s chief operating officer Nikki Harland, one particular pearl of wisdom from a male mentor has stuck with her over the years. “Make sure you work to be respected and not loved,” she said, recalling, “you don’t need to please people because if you have their respect, that’s all you need.” Kathleen Schafer, vice president of Mission Yogurt said that it was a memory of her grandmother that changed the way she worked. “My grandmother always had those butterscotch candies, and one time Above: (left to right) Karen Ellis of Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Johanne Gallant of Fredericton International Airport, Melissa K. Montes of Airport Experience News, Nikki Harland of Paradies Lagardère, Kathleen Schafer of Mission Yogurt.

BY SARAH BELING

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AX NEWS MAY 2025