Dulles International Airport salutes our women employees for their contributions.

To commemorate Women's History Month 2021, Dulles International Airport is launching a new series #LeadingTheWay, acknowledging the tremendous efforts of women working at the front lines, who have contributed to seamless running of the airport during the pandemic and are now shaping the recovery process.  

 Alison Fischer | Michele Bade | Corporal Valerie Franchak 

Corporal Valerie Franchak, Public Safety

Role: "My current role is Police Officer with collateral duty assignments to include: Peer Support Team Leader, Accident Reconstruction Officer, Community Outreach Officer, trained in police mountain bicycle operations"

Motivation:" I strive to come to work every day with a positive attitude.  Our job often entails dealing with people on their worst days, the least I can do is be a positive outlook for them. "

"It is an honor and privilege to be a part of a movement that solidifies the equality of women, which in my case is a typically a male dominated career choice."

Alison Fischer - Airport Engineering Division Manager, Engineering 

Role: "I currently manage the Engineering Division at Dulles airport, which consists of a team of engineers, inspectors and CAD technicians. Our engineering division provides a valuable service to airlines, concessions, MWAA departments and all airport tenants by providing guidance and support for both new construction as well as rehab and repair efforts throughout the airport. Our team also maintains and updates all CAD drawings for the Airport facilities, issues permits for construction projects and assists tenants with Building Code compliance. During the pandemic, in addition to our regular roles of managing and supporting multiple construction projects, we have taken advantage of the lighter traffic volumes by repairing and maintaining areas that are typically difficult to access. Such areas include the repaving of public parking lots, repairing and replacing of terrazzo floors in high traffic Terminal areas and cleaning and touching up the Terminal façade. We have also supported social distancing efforts by providing drawing layouts for conference rooms, assisting with stanchion alignments for queuing areas and managing the installation of touchless paper towel dispensers in the airport rest rooms."

Motivation: "As an engineer, it's no surprise that I enjoy problem solving but I'm especially driven in finding new and innovative ways to address obstacles and challenges.  Breaking free of conventional thinking can be very rewarding and I enjoy being part of a team that works together to find creative solutions."

"Women’s History Month provides a great opportunity to not only reflect on the progress that women have made but to also recognize and support the contributions and strides that women are making today."

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Michele Bade - Manager, Leasing and Airside Contracts

Role: "As the Manager of Contracts and Airside Leasing at Washington Dulles International Airport, my team is responsible for the leasing requirements of 40 airlines, more than 100 leases for cargo buildings and storage lots, two fixed based operators, and over 50 Commercial Aviation Services Permits."

Motivation: "The pandemic has created many challenges for us as airlines have looked to reduce costs, often by reducing leased space in the concourses while other companies are looking to increase capacity in areas such as cargo and storage lots.  We strive to provide the best customer service possible to accommodate all requests. "

"When I was an engineering student at North Carolina State University there were seven men for every one female engineering student, today my daughter is studying engineering and the ratio is almost four men for every female engineering student.  I am proud to see more young women entering Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and happy to have been a part of that movement."

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