Katherine Moloney

Katherine Moloney is an inspiring female motivational keynote speaker, Founder and CEO of Elevate(her) Aviation, accomplished private helicopter and fixed wing pilot, and one of the UK’s leading advocates for increasing female representation in aviation. Recognised as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2026 honouree and recipient of the IATA High Flyer Award 2025, Katherine has transformed her personal passion for flying into a global movement that empowers women to pursue ambitious careers in traditionally male dominated industries. Katherine’s story demonstrates how challenging convention, embracing opportunity and building supportive communities can inspire lasting change, making her a sought after speaker for organisations committed to developing future leaders and empowering women to achieve their full potential.

After discovering aviation at the age of 18, Katherine quickly developed a passion for flying, earning both her Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter) and Private Pilot’s Licence (Fixed Wing Aircraft). While progressing through her training, she became increasingly aware of the lack of female representation within the industry, often finding herself without female peers or mentors. Rather than accepting this imbalance, Katherine chose to become part of the solution. She documented her aviation journey across social media, inspiring thousands of aspiring pilots by sharing authentic insights into flight training, aerobatics and life in aviation. Alongside her flying career, Katherine served as a Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador, promoting aviation careers and helping encourage greater diversity across the sector. She also represented UN Women UK as a CSW68 Delegate, reinforcing her commitment to advancing opportunities for women on a global stage.

In 2023, Katherine founded Elevate(her) Aviation, an organisation dedicated to increasing the percentage of women working throughout the aviation industry worldwide. What began as a small networking event has grown into a thriving international community with thousands of members spanning 144 countries, supported by a team committed to connecting, supporting and inspiring women pursuing careers as pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and aviation professionals. Katherine’s influence extends far beyond the aviation community. Her social media platforms have grown to more than 700,000 organic followers, creating one of the world’s largest online communities celebrating aviation and female empowerment. Her achievements have attracted widespread recognition, earning her the IATA High Flyer Award, inclusion in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2026, finalist positions in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Women in STEM Awards and Female Founder of the Year awards, together with recognition from AirLeague for her outstanding contribution to aviation and aerospace.

As a keynote speaker, Katherine delivers inspiring presentations that encourage audiences to challenge limiting beliefs, develop resilience and embrace opportunities with confidence. Her signature keynote, ‘Your FLIGHT Path’, blends powerful aviation stories with practical leadership principles, exploring how clarity, communication, preparation, adaptability and trust enable individuals and organisations to thrive during periods of change. She also speaks on female empowerment, entrepreneurship, inclusive leadership and overcoming barriers within male dominated industries, drawing upon her own experiences of building an internationally recognised organisation from the ground up. Audiences leave her sessions feeling energised, empowered and equipped with practical strategies to build confidence, create meaningful change and inspire others to pursue ambitious goals, regardless of the obstacles standing in their way.