Karolina Dubiel: Founder of Girls in Aerospace on Mentorship & Representation in STEM
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week, we are joined by Karolina Dubiel, the inspiring founder of Girls in Aerospace (GIA), for a powerful conversation about building inclusive pathways into aerospace and STEM for young girls.
Karolina’s fascination with flight began in childhood and was solidified after an orientation flight at age 15. Since then, she has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for girls to find their place in aerospace early on. Her organization, GIA, provides personalized mentorship and community support—having already matched over 200 students in meaningful mentoring relationships.
"I flew a plane before I could drive a car, and that's when I knew I was meant for aerospace." – Karolina Dubiel
In this episode, Karolina discusses the importance of representation and how mentorship can radically shape a young woman’s trajectory in STEM. She openly shares the obstacles she’s faced navigating a male-dominated industry, and how GIA is breaking down those barriers by championing inclusivity, equity, and early exposure to aerospace opportunities.
We also explore the broader implications of programs like GIA—from promoting paid maternity leave in STEM careers to sparking youth interest in commercial space flight and rocketry. Karolina's vision is bold, empowering, and firmly focused on creating a future where diversity is the norm in aerospace and beyond.