WINGS Speaker Series

Hear from trailblazing women in aviation and STEM as they share their stories and inspire the next generation to dream big! This engaging interview-style program invites audience participation of all ages and is FREE with museum admission.

Saturday, October 25, 2025 @ 11:30 A.M.

Upcoming Featured Speaker

Amaryllis Cotto

Amaryllis Cotto is a Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer for the hurricane hunting AFR 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, and National Weather Service forecaster in Houston, Texas. Flying directly into the heart of major storms, Cotto helps gather critical data to improve forecasting and save lives.

Learn more about Amaryllis here.

Saturday, november 22, 2025 @ 11:30 A.M.

Upcoming Featured Speaker

Jennifer Duffer

Jennifer is a STEM educator and pilot whose passion for aviation has helped students build and fly real planes. Her work empowers both students and teachers to dream big, think creatively, and reach new heights.

Learn more about Jennifer here.

Past Speakers

HELON HAMMOND, Vice President of Global Learning, People, and Community Impact at United Airlines

Helon Hammond is the Vice President of Global Learning, People, and Community Impact at United Airlines. She leads United’s community engagement efforts and manages global learning services, ensuring training is standardized and high quality. She also oversees inclusion programs aimed at expanding access to aviation careers and attracting diverse talent.

Previously, Helon was Managing Director of Digital Technology, where she led the development of tools supporting operations and safety. She led the team that created the United Tech mobility app, earning a 2018 Aviation Week Laureate Award. Helon also served as President of United’s first Black Business Resource Group, BEACON, and mentors future STEM and aviation professionals. She is part of the Executive Women’s Partnership in Houston, where she lives.

DR. BONNIE DUNBAR, Ph.D., NAE, RSEcorr

Dr. Dunbar is highly respected in the aerospace industry with a distinguished and accomplished career. A retired NASA astronaut, engineer and educator, she is currently with Texas A&M University as a Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. She also has a joint appointment as the director of the TEES Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation (IEEI). And Dr. Dunbar is a longtime member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Lone Star Flight Museum.

During her 27 years with NASA, Dr. Dunbar first became a flight controller; then a mission specialist astronaut, where she flew five space shuttle flights, logging more than 50 days in space; and then served for 7 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES). Her executive service included assistant NASA JSC director for university research; deputy director for Flight Crew Operations; Associate Director for ISS Mission Operations development, and as NASA headquarters deputy associate administrator for the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications (OLMSA).

Dr. Sibylle Walter, Aerospace Engineer at Venus Aerospace

Dr. Sibylle Walter is a propulsion engineer at Venus Aerospace. Her journey to engineering began with her dad who was obsessed with airplanes and spaceflight from the time he was a young boy.

Sibylle earned a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and then joined GE Aviation as an airfoil design engineer. She worked primarily on the fan blades of small commercial airplane engines. She subsequently received her master's degree and PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Sibylle researched and studied different ways to direct air into an engine from the outside. As part of her PhD work, she spent two summers as an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sibylle has worked on advanced aircraft systems since she finished her PhD, joining Venus Aerospace as a propulsion engineer in 2024. At Venus Aerospace, she is helping redefine the future of hypersonic flight. Their innovative detonation ramjet engine is a single engine at take-off with speeds up to Mach 6.

Debbie Rice, Private Pilot and Hot Air Balloonist

Debbie Rice is a private pilot and hot air balloonist who dreamed of piloting as a child. Debbie attended Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology, followed by a master’s degree in Communication Disorders.

Debbie was invited to go ballooning with friends and became a regular part of their crew. On her fifth time serving as crew, her pilot friend invited her to fly with him. Debbie was so astounded by the experience that she went home and bought a hot air balloon. She named it Sundance, found an instructor, and learned to fly!

Debbie received her private pilot license with an LTA (lighter than air) rating followed by a commercial/flight instructor rating and single engine land and instrument rating. She has had the great fortune to fly many wonderful airplanes, including jets. Debbie has had six balloons and logged almost 1500 hours!

Alexis Martinez, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Southwest Airlines

Alexis Martinez is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician at Southwest Airlines. Her aviation journey began when she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force just after high school. At Nellis Air Force Base, she maintained equipment for F-15s, F-16s, A-10s, and F-22s, and even flew in an F-15. After active duty, she joined the Texas Air National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan.

In 2007, Alexis earned her A&P license while working as an Appearance Technician at Southwest. She completed their Mechanic Apprenticeship Program in 2015. Today, she performs a wide range of maintenance tasks on Boeing 737s, from routine checks to major repairs, helping ensure the safety and performance of the fleet.

Joyce B. K. Abbey, Case Study Chief Investigator, Johnson Space Center Knowledge Management Office

Joyce Abbey grew up near Johnson Space Center during the Apollo era, inspired by her father, George Abbey. After earning a psychology degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, she entered the STEM field, working on the Space Shuttle program and now writing Case Studies at JSC to capture lessons learned for NASA missions.

She also leads communications for SAIC’s Safety & Mission Assurance Engineering Contract and has authored over 50 Case Studies. Outside of work, Joyce hosted radio programs to promote aerospace awareness, manages STEM outreach events, and serves on several nonprofit boards. Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal and “Joyce Abbey Day” in Nassau Bay, Texas.

*George Abbey is a member of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.