November 2025 newsletter
Launch of the Emerging Leaders in Sustainable Aviation network
The Emerging Leaders in Sustainable Aviation (ELSA) network is an initiative run by colleagues in the industry and supported by ATAG. Its vision is to empower the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and connections they need to build a more resilient and sustainable aviation sector.
Throughout the course of 2025, the network's Mobilisation Taskforce has been establishing its mandate and scope of work, in preparation for its launch, which took place at the ICAO Innovation Fair on 22 September 2025, in Montreal. Amy Strang, the network founder and Haldane Dodd, provided a keynote address focusing on ELSA during the session on Generation 2050.
Some members of the ELSA team on stage with Haldane Dodd during the ICAO Innovation Fair
The launch received a very positive response with 191 young professionals quickly signing up by the end of September. After the first nine weeks, the network had 350 members and the ELSA LinkedIn page had gained more than 560 followers.
The ELSA network is hosting professional development and networking events for the community, bringing together today’s leaders with each other and with those of tomorrow. The first virtual event for young professionals – Soar into Tomorrow – took place on 25 November 2025 and included a panel with Jimmy Samartzis (CEO, LanzaJet), Nathalie Herbelles (VP Industry Affairs and Sustainability, ACI World) and Jim Hileman (VP and Chief Engineer Sustainability and Future Mobility, Boeing). Please see the event page for more information.
ELSA is for young professionals from around the globe who are aged 35 years and under and who have an interest in sustainability and aviation. Those aged 36 years and above and therefore not able to participate in ELSA activities are nevertheless invited to sign up as supporters and, if appropriate, to provide advice and mentoring.
Please find below some useful links for more information about ELSA.
- Web domain: www.elsa-network.org (or www.atag.org/elsa): provides information about what ELSA is, team members, how is works, ELSA events, ELSA news updates (including the launch press release and the first blog post about how ELSA was established) and how to get involved.
- The registration form to complete for those who wish to join or provide support. There is one form regardless of the level of involvement in ELSA.
In addition, ELSA is sharing content via its LinkedIn page and a recording of the first event is available on its YouTube channel.
For further details, please email hello@elsa-network.org.