Manager, Finance and Administration
FRG
Born and raised in Jamaica, Sasha-lee doesn’t shy away from approaching the unknown and the uncomfortable. In our interview, we talk about moving from one country to another, what it takes to succeed, and speaking up in male dominated meetings.
Meet Shasha-lee Dawes
Andrew King: Tell me a little bit about what you do.
Sasha-lee Dawes: Okay. So, I work at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York, as a Finance and Administration Manager. I was recently promoted to this role in April, 2017. Before that, I worked here as an Accounting Assistant for about 10 years, and then I got promoted. And before that I was an intern for a year.
Andrew: How did you get started at the airport?
Sasha: I did my undergraduate degree in business administration at Farmingdale State College. They have an aviation management program there. Towards the end of my time at Farmingdale, I was approached by a professor, Professor Scala. He said, “They’re looking to develop a certificate program, which would overlap the business management program and the aviation administration program.” So we looked at the curriculum together and they basically require the same basic core courses. And the only difference between the two programs was the aviation focused classes.
So he was interested in developing something where he would try to get some business students who were interested in pursuing something in aviation administration for a certificate. He asked me if I was interested in looking at it. I thought about it for about a year and I decided, why not?
So, that’s how I was introduced to the field. And I started taking the classes and I discovered a new world, basically, and I thought it was really amazing. And so I went back and I did one more year and I got my degree in aviation administration from Farmingdale.
Andrew: Oh, that’s so cool. How do you like aviation now?
Sasha: I love it. I love it because it’s, like I said, it’s whole new world to me, and there’s just so much to learn. I visited a couple of airports while I was in college and we shadowed FAA inspections and I just get excited about it. So I really love what I do.
Andrew: What is it that you love about what you do?
Sasha: Yeah. So, I can say that, every day is a new learning experience for me. Every day I come in, I may be working on leases or I’m sitting in meetings talking about development on the airport. I’m always learning. I’m always asking questions about things that I don’t understand, because, of course, there’s just so much, especially when you get into the operations side of things. Because it’s an ever-changing environment, I really like that.
Andrew: Remind me again, how long have you been working in aviation?
Sasha: I started in 2007.
Andrew: Oh, okay, cool. So you’ve been at it a little while now?
Sasha: Yeah, it’s been a while. My first experience was as an intern and I interned, here, at Republic. So I started that in ’06 and I was hired in ’07. And I’ve been here since then.
Andrew: Tell me about your title again and help me understand what it is you do.
Sasha: Sure. My title is Finance and Administration Manager. I take care of the revenue collection and reporting to our clients, which is New York State DOT, they own the airport. I create all of the financial reports. I oversee the purchasing and revenue collection process. I also help with managing their leases, as far as keeping track of payments and adjustments when necessary, following up with the tenants. I also serve as the liaison between this project and corporate for HR. So I’m the person that’s involved heavily with hiring and onboarding and all of those things. I take care of the administrative portion of the project here, interfacing with the public, providing follow-up on different questions that they may have and so on.
Andrew: I’m wondering about what your experience is as a woman in aviation.
Sasha: Sure. Coming into the field of aviation, I was well aware that it would be, like I said, “A whole new world for me,” and it would be a challenge. And I thought that’s something that even caused me to even want to do it some more, because I realized that not many women are in this field. And at that time, I knew our airport manager here was a female and I admired what she did. I thought to myself, “It is possible.” And I think we definitely belong here and we can certainly make our mark in this industry. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was willing to learn. I’d like to learn what the guys know.
Andrew: Tell me about having a woman in management when you first started. What was that experience like for you?
Sasha: Well, I, first of all, I didn’t see everything working out this way. I’m very grateful for AvPORTS providing the opportunity for me to actually serve in this capacity. My manager was a female, other than that, we a female airport manager, though our management team is mostly men. So many times, I mean, rooms when it’s just me, it could be a little bit intimidating at times. But I always say to myself, “I’m here to learn.” So I’m okay with being there as the only female. I know that there’s so much out there for me to learn from the people in the room.
It has been a great experience though, because I find that the manager on our team is very open and I can always approach them and ask them questions about anything that’s being discussed. Or if I was in a meeting or something, I didn’t quite understand, they would always spend the time to explain it to me. So it’s been a good experience for me.
Andrew: Have you ever experienced any challenges as a woman, whether with a coworker or with a vendor or management?
Sasha: Well, the only thing I would say, there are times when it seems as if my opinion probably is… they would hear from everybody else in the room first before they would ask me. And I’m the type of person… I need some work on that area, where I need to speak up. I would just let it happen. If given the opportunity, I would say something, but if I’m not given the opportunity, I’m “okay” with it. That’s something that I know that I have to work on. Just to ensure that if I have something to say, I let it be known.
Through WINGS, I think that’s something that we’re all working on.
Andrew: For women who are coming into aviation today, or maybe for your younger self, what kind of advice would you give yourself?
Sasha: I would definitely encourage young women to go after their dreams and not be afraid of challenges, not being afraid of stepping into a male-dominated field because we certainly belong there. We have something to contribute. And whatever it takes for you to get where you want to be, you should pursue that. If it means getting certified, if it means going out there and getting a degree, by all means, go for it. I definitely think that the opportunities in this country, there are just so many. The opportunities are endless, and we should definitely go for what we know is truly our heart’s desire.
Andrew: You mentioned that aviation is a male-dominated field. What do you think it would take for that to change?
Sasha: I think more females probably more exposure to the whole industry. I think from the outside looking in, we see pilots and probably that’s it, and maybe the people working on the desk at the airport. But a lot of people may not understand all that’s involved in actually running an airport. And they may not understand that there are so many opportunities for them in the field.
Andrew: Do you have any career goals?
Sasha: Yes. One day, hopefully, I’ll be an airport manager. That’s the goal.
Andrew: I love hearing a bit about your story and what you do and where you want to go.
Sasha: Well, I was born and raised in Jamaica. I’m not from here, but the I migrated here when I was 17. That was a completely new experience for me, setting up in a whole new place – I’d never been anywhere outside of Jamaica. I came here with the goal and the mindset to succeed in whatever I decided to do. I didn’t know it would take me this way, but I’m really, really grateful that it did and I’m excited about the journey.
Andrew: Awesome. Really cool to hear your story, Thank you.
Sasha: Thank you so much.