Dr. Suzanne Kearns is an accomplished aviation academic with over two decades of experience, specializing in aviation sustainability, education, and human factors. A former airplane and helicopter pilot, she earned her first pilot licenses at the age of 17 and began her academic career as a professor at 24. Dr. Kearns is recognized internationally for her research on educating the next generation of aviation professionals (NGAP) and exploring methods to attract talent to the aviation field. She has taught thousands of aviation professionals worldwide, both in the classroom and through electronic courseware.

Dr. Kearns is the author or co-author of six influential books, including the globally-used textbook Fundamentals of International Aviation, which has been translated into multiple languages. In 2021, she founded the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) at the University of Waterloo, which she leads as Director. Under her leadership, WISA has grown to include over 150 professors and is a world leading hub for sustainable aviation research, technology, and education. Her contributions have earned her numerous national and international awards for research and aviation leadership.