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On 1 January 2026, the highly anticipated “Top 100 Women in Aerospace and Aviation” list was released, highlighting the visionaries redefining the skies. Created by (Matthew Higa), a prominent figure in the aerospace community and founder of Pineapple EMPIRE, the initiative has become a prestigious benchmark for excellence and diversity in the industry.
The selection process for this prestigious list is as modern as it gets, moving beyond the traditional to embrace the power of digital community and real-world impact. The rankings are derived from a complex analysis of LinkedIn engagement metrics, including the velocity of comments, likes, and shares, ensuring that those who are actively shaping the industry’s conversation are given due credit.
This community-centric methodology creates a vibrant, reciprocal validation loop, where established leaders and rising aspirants alike are recognised for their ability to inspire and lead within the global aerospace network. By focusing on professional visibility and peer-to-peer influence, the list serves to connect the most influential voices in the field today.
Among this global elite, four women from the MENA region have been recognised for their groundbreaking contributions, ranging from deep-space medical research to high-stakes air traffic management. Their inclusion is both a personal honour and a powerful testament to the region’s growing influence in aerospace innovation.
Originally from Iraq and New Zealand, Fay Ghani is a pioneer in space medicine. Based at the Mayo Clinic, she collaborates closely with NASA to study how stem cells behave in the unique microgravity environment of space. Her work is transformative, aiming to turn celestial research into life-saving therapies for patients on Earth. Recently awarded the Emerging Space Leader Award by the International Astronautical Federation, Ghani has become a powerful advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM, inspiring a new generation to bridge the gap between medicine and the cosmos.
A researcher with roots in Palestine, Jordan, and Canada, Sahba El-Shawa is an engineer dedicated to ethical space exploration. She founded the Jordan Space Research Initiative and the Palestine Space Institute to ensure space benefits are accessible and sustainable. Notably, she organised the first Jordanian Analog Missionsimulating life on Mars right here on earth in the desert of Wadi Rum.
A leading advocate for decoupling defense from space and ensuring human rights in technology, El-Shawa challenges the “dual-use” of space tech—civilian data used for military aims—and promotes a “Zone of Peace” framework. She co-leads the Space Generation Advisory Council’sEthics & Human Rights project group, setting standards for peaceful, non-exploitative space use.
Representing the UAE, Jouhayna AlMheiri has shattered glass ceilings as the first Emirati woman to become an Examiner at her facility. Known as one of the youngest Emiratis in Area Control, she now mentors the next generation while maintaining the safety of one of the world’s busiest airspaces. Beyond the radar screen, AlMheiri is a celebrated TEDx speaker and host of the podcast “Press Pause with Jouhayna,” where she champions personal development and resilience.
Hailing from Saudi Arabia, Nora Almohizai is a physicist and a key architect of the Kingdom’s burgeoning space ecosystem. As the Country Manager for Starlight, she led initiatives that empower space education and sustainability. Since 2023, she has built an extensive network to promote Saudi Arabia’s ambitious space goals, fostering international collaborations that position the Kingdom as a future leader in human space exploration.
Elevating the Industry
The “Top 100” initiative, curated by Higa via his Pineapple EMPIRE platform, serves as a “think tank and launchpad” for global industry innovation. By spotlighting these four MENA trailblazers, the list underscores the fact that the region is emerging as a primary driver of the future in the aerospace and aviation industry.
As we look toward the horizon, the inclusion of these four visionaries in the 2026 “Top 100” list is a celebration of past milestones and also a clear signal of the momentum gathering across the MENA region.
From the high-tech laboratories of space medicine to the strategic command of air traffic control, Fay Ghani, Sahba El-Shawa, Jouhayna AlMheiri, and Nora Almohizai are dismantling old stereotypes and constructing a new narrative of leadership. Their success serves as a powerful beacon for the next generation of Arab girls, proving that the sky is no longer a limit, but a starting point.
As Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the wider region continue to invest heavily in their aerospace ecosystems, the legacy of these trailblazers will undoubtedly inspire a surge of diverse talent, ensuring that the brilliance and resilience of women from the Middle East increasingly shape the future of global aviation.
Editors Note
Correction (7 January 2026): An earlier version of this article incorrectly added a different link to Sahba El Shawa. New link has been added.
Stay informed. Get the latest aviation and space news from the Arab world on WhatsApp and Telegram as soon as it is published, or subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly round-up. You can also add us to your preferred sources to see more of our stories in Google Search.
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