Some of our Mentees

Barbara was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Connecticut in 2005 (Go Bucks!). 

Barbara is a professional pilot and 737 First Officer at United Airlines. She also serves in the Air Force Reserves as an Aircraft Commander on the C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft, the United States Air Force's largest operating aircraft. Barbara earned her pilot''s license in high school and enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2002, working as an avionics specialist on C-130H/J aircraft for 6 years, before being selected for Air Force pilot training. 

She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in psychology and completed   graduate certification program in Applied Behavior Analysis through the University of North Texas. Prior to flying for the airlines, Barbara worked in the behavioral health field specializing in autism intervention programming and community and residential clinical programming for children & adults with intellectual disabilities. 

She was the director and event coordinator of Run for the Fallen CT for 7  years and is a mentor for Women in Aviation International and  empowerHER.

Dacia was born and raised in Agawam, MA, and class of 1991 graduate.  Through her Jr High and high school years, she loved fitness and gymnastics and was a captain for her high school team.  While in high school, she worked in small family-owned restaurants and years later she landed a chef position at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA.  During her time as a chef, she decided to finish college and with the help of the Air National Guard, she earned her degree in Law Enforcement. 

Moving way out of her comfort zone, she headed off to Basic Military Training… she was 30 years old!  She completed her degree in Criminal Justice with dreams of becoming a state trooper.  As time passed, she decided to remain in the military and pursued her civilian career as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic at the 104th Fighter Wing, where she has been for over 19 years.  She’s had the opportunity to host Girl Scout tours, work with many different shops on base, provide help to military members in need, host wing level events, and has traveled to places like Florida, Georgia, Las Vegas, and England to name a few.

As an engine mechanic, she is exposed to many different aspects of repair… from troubleshooting fault codes, replacing components, engine teardown and build up to test cell operation, inspections, borescope and fan blade blending. Being a mechanic is such a rewarding career, with a new challenge every day! When the jets take off mechanics can truly say, “we built that” with pride. 

While continuously enhancing her personal and professional development, Dacia has joined the Quality Assurance office and is aspiring to become a First Sergeant. 

In 2018 Dacia went back to her roots in fitness and gymnastics and simply wanted more.  She holds many certifications - Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Weight Management Specialist, Fitness Nutrition, and has taken courses in High Intensity Interval Training and Stress & Resiliency. She helps others struggling with the military fitness test by offering workouts and nutrition guidance.  She is known for her fitness program with the local Parks and Recreation Department. Her biggest accomplishment is her STRONGCAMP weekend!  It is a weekend dedicated to women of all fitness levels to grow through workouts, nutrition, teambuilding, inner peace, gratitude, resiliency, empowerment, and self-worth. 

This year, she is working on a similar program designed specifically for teens! “It is so important for the younger generation to have good mentorship and leadership skills so they can grow into women who will be strong both mentally and physically.  I love when I am in a room full of people I don’t know, and someone asks what I do for work… it’s great to see their expressions.” 

“Believe in yourself and have pride in all you do, inspire by helping women gain the confidence they never knew they had, pour your heart and soul into the things you value most, don’t be afraid to make a mistake, and remember life is a journey.”  ~Dacia