A fascination with the intersection of business, technology, and aviation spurred Sasha Lightbourne’s pioneering work in AI-driven intelligent systems. “I’ve always seen aviation as a frontier industry—one where systems thinking and innovation can save lives, optimize businesses, and shape the future of global mobility,” she says. Her commitment to creating tangible impact—starting with her work at Boeing, where she led data-driven safety programs—has guided her vision for actionable solutions.

As a Cygnus Horizon Advisory Group (CHAG) member, she helps clients pilot through the ever-shifting domain of strategic and emerging technologies, securing their access to cutting-edge solutions. Lightbourne’s involvement in the Harvard Women in Aviation (HWIA) program further enhances her interdisciplinary leadership and strengthens her contributions to the industry. As a non-profit board member at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and the Broward College Foundation (BCF), she endorses the power of cross-sector partnerships to drive growth in aerospace and education, emphasizing that “these partnerships are not just philanthropic—they’re strategic investments in the long-term future of the industry.”