Conference Programme
Day One: Wednesday 25 February 2026
Session: The Context
Session Moderator: Philip Baum, Chair, DISPAX World 2026 & Managing Director, Green Light Ltd., UK
Disruptive Passengers in Context: who is responsible?
Prof. André Inácio, Professor, Law School, Lusófona University; Vice-President, OSCOT (Observatory on Security, Organized Crime and Terrorism); and AVSEC Specialist, Portugal
Opening Keynote
Ana Vieira da Mata, Chair of the Board, Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), Portugal
Aircrew Mental Health: peer support initiatives
Capt. Edith Mala Diop, Pilot Peer Support Coordinator, Qatar Airways, Qatar; Vice President, UFACI – Union des Femmes de l’Aviation Civile de Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Unruly Passenger Management: from personal experience
Gonçalo Miranda, Security Manager & Passenger Services Director, World2Fly, Portugal
Session: Legal Perspectives: pre-departure, post-arrival
Session Moderator: Susana Jardim, Head of Security & Regulatory Affairs, Hi Fly, Portugal
The Challenges of Maintaining a ‘No Fly’ List: managing bookings and passenger avoidance strategies
Kelly Creegan, Aviation Security Advisor, easyJet, UK
Airborne Passenger Disturbance Reporting: from collecting the evidence to communicating the appropriate law enforcement response
Capt. Mike Karn, Snr Manager Flight Security, American Airlines, USA
Connecting the Tokyo and Montreal Conventions: who is liable when incidents result in bodily injury?
Prof. Conceição Soares Fatela, Associate Professor and Vice-Director, Law School, Lusófona University, Portugal
Session: Lessons from Other Industries & Operating Environments
Session Moderator: Terry Upsall, Green Light Limited, UK
Protecting Passengers, Protecting Personnel: best practice from the rail, maritime and mass transport sectors
Dr. Sara Tripodi, Chair, Women’s Committee, European Transport Workers Federation & Representative, Federazione Italiana Lavoratori Trasporti – Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (FILT-CGIL), Italy
Why Zero-Tolerance Is Not the Answer: rigid enforcement undermining staff confidence
Adam Hopper, Director of Acute Healthcare, Paramedic and Blue Light Services, Crisis Prevention Institute International; and, National Ambulance Violence Prevention and Reduction Lead, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, UK
The Night Time Economy: transferable door supervisory skills
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association; Chairperson, UK Door Supervisors Association; and, Vice President, International Nightlife Association, UK
Session: Sharing Best Practice and Aligning Communication: an EASA panel discussion
EASA: John Franklin, Lead Specialist Communications and Safety Promotion, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Germany
National Authority: David Opsahl Moldskred, Principal Inspector Cabin Safety, Civil Aviation Authority – Norway, Norway
Airline: Frédéric Wille, Integrated Safety & Compliance Manager – Inflight Services Senior Purser, KLM, The Netherlands
Industry Association: Ng Sue Chin, Manager – Technical Affairs, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Malaysia
Airport Law Enforcement: Daniel Magalhães, Director, Central Unit for Border Management, Public Security Police (PSP), Portugal
Day Two: Thursday 26 February 2026
Session: Escalating Challenges and Emerging Solutions
Session Moderator: Susana Jardim, Head of Security & Regulatory Affairs, Hi Fly, Portugal
Sexual Abuse in the Skies: risk factors and prevention
Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic, Professor of Psychology; John Jay College of Criminal Justice, USA
Geopolitical Turmoil on the Ground: the impact in the skies
Philip Baum, Visiting Professor, Aviation Security, Coventry University and Managing Director, Green Light Limited, UK
The Civilising Effect of Body-Worn Cameras: a cross-industry phenomenon
Prof. Barak Ariel, Professor of Experimental Criminology, University of Cambridge, UK
Noy Assaraf, PhD Student, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Session: Passenger Health
Session Moderator: Adam Hopper, Director of Acute Healthcare, Paramedic and Blue Light Services, Crisis Prevention Institute International, UK
The Menopause: impacting passenger behaviour and crew response
Katie Taylor, CEO & Founder, The Latte Lounge & Author, ‘Midlife Matters’, UK
From Risk to Response: non-visible disabilities in passenger behaviour
Annette Cmela, Chief Brand Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, UK
Restraint-Related Injuries: the dangers of plastic cuffs, impromptu equipment and inadequate crew training
Dr. Tony Bleetman, Consultant in Emergency Medicine; Associate Professor, Queen Mary University of London; Medical Advisor, Home Office, UK
Session: Aircrew Mindset
Session Moderator: Terry Upsall, Green Light Limited, UK
Ready to React: the psychology behind exceptional cabin crew performance
Caroline Creane, Senior Psychology Consultant, Symbiotics Ltd, UK
Flooded Minds at 30,000 Feet: emotional hijack, misinterpretation and critical decision-making in the cabin
An Gaiser, Founder, Managing Director, An Gaiser Consultancy BV, The Netherlands
Creating a Safe Cabin Culture Starts on the Ground: intelligent, usable techniques for managers and frontline staff, and a post-event support programme
Chris Smith, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland; Captain & Former Wellness Manager, Jetstar Airways; and, Author, ‘Leadership at 43000 Feet’, Australia
Session: Airline Programmes in the Spotlight
Session Moderator: Terry Upsall, Green Light Limited, UK
easyJet Managing Disruptive Behaviour: practical tools, mitigation tactics and incident reporting
Diana Stevens, Customer Operation Manager Ground Ops, &
Sharon Fletcher, Cabin Safety Lead Investigator, easyJet, UK
De-escalation Training: from research to best practice
Kristi Morley, Sr. Manager, Inflight Standards and Safety, Republic Airways, USA
Restraint Demonstrations: two 10-minute scenarios on stage
Veronica Heen, Chief Ground Instructor, Norwegian, Norway
Diāna Marta Ruka, Chief Ground Instructor, AVSEC instructor, airBaltic, Latvia
Quickfire Q&A: answering the “what if” questions
Conference Conclusion: what are you going to do differently on Monday morning?
Philip Baum, Chair, DISPAX World 2026 & Managing Director, Green Light Ltd., UK
Speakers
Prof. Barak Ariel, Professor of Experimental Criminology, University of Cambridge, UK
Barak Ariel is a Professor of Experimental Criminology at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology and a Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research focuses on policing, crime and place, organised crime, and the application of technology and behavioural sciences in law enforcement (notably body-worn cameras). He leads large-scale evaluation projects and advises police forces and law enforcement agencies internationally, including England and Wales, Latin America, Europe, and the North America.
Barak’s collaborations extend beyond policing to include prosecution services, the judiciary, and the private sector, working closely with security companies to develop evidence-based strategies for crime prevention and response. At Cambridge, he teaches and directs the MSt in Applied Criminology and Police Management, bridging scientific research, operational practice, and policy across global criminal justice systems.
Noy Assaraf, PhD Student, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Noy is a PhD student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Her research is in the field of criminology, with a strong emphasis on experimental criminology. In particular, she focuses on randomised controlled trials, which are widely recognised as the most reliable approach for evaluating interventions in criminal justice. Throughout her academic career, she has been involved in numerous large-scale studies and has published extensively using this methodology. A central focus of her research is evaluating the effectiveness of police body-worn cameras and their impact on the behavior of both officers and members of the public.
Philip Baum, Chair, DISPAX World 2026; Managing Director, Green Light Ltd; and, Visiting Professor, Aviation Security, Coventry University, UK
Philip Baum is a leading authority in aviation security and serves as Chair of DISPAX World 2026. As Managing Director of Green Light Ltd and Visiting Professor of Aviation Security at Coventry University, Philip blends academic insight with practical operational expertise. Renowned for his pragmatic and innovative approach, he advocates for behavioural detection and non-racial profiling; he is the creator of the T.R.A.P.® (Tactical Risk Assessment of People) system.
Philip received the Lifetime Service to Aviation Security Award in 2021 from Emirates Group Security and Edith Cowan University, marking his significant impact on the field.
An accredited trainer by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airports Council International (ACI), Philip’s expertise is regularly sought by governments and global organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). He served as an expert witness at the UK’s House of Commons’ Home Affairs Committee inquiry into aviation security following the attempted aircraft bombing on Christmas Day 2009.
A prolific contributor to professional knowledge, Philip founded – and chairs – both the DISPAX World and Behavioural Analysis series of conferences and was editor-in-chief of Aviation Security International from 1997 to 2021. He is a sought-after expert by the media in the aftermath of aviation security incidents. Philip is also the author of Violence in the Skies: a history of aircraft hijacking and bombing.
Dr. Tony Bleetman, Consultant in Emergency Medicine; Associate Professor, Queen Mary University of London; Medical Advisor, Home Office, UK
Tony Bleetman is a consultant in emergency medicine and has had a parallel career in the provision of safe solutions for managing challenging and violent behaviours.
He was awarded his PhD by the University of Birmingham for work on developing body armour for the police; this arose from his work for the UK Home Office and the Police Federation on officer safety programmes, addressing protection from knives and bullets.
In 1998, Tony qualified as a police instructor for unarmed defensive tactics, safe prisoner restraint, handcuffing, tactical communication skills, incapacitant sprays and knife defence. Since then, he has been able to work with mental health, custodial and other services to minimise the risks of physical intervention and restraint.
Tony is an associate professor and honorary senior lecturer at Warwick Medical School and Queen Mary University of London. He also serves as a medical advisor to the UK Home Office for the management of non-compliant detained persons during detention and repatriation.
He is the chairman of Independent Sector Emergency Medical Ltd, a company providing emergency medical services for the private sector.
Tony has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed professional journals and authored a number of chapters for medical textbooks.
Annette Cmela, Chief Brand Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, UK
Annette Cmela leads global brand strategy and marketing for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, advancing awareness and advocacy for individuals with non-visible disabilities. With more than two decades of experience in brand strategy, design, and marketing leadership, she has worked across finance, technology, and communications sectors, bringing a deep understanding of how purposeful storytelling drives inclusion and engagement.
Through the Sunflower program, Annette works with organisations around the world to strengthen awareness, understanding, and confidence in supporting people with non-visible disabilities. She is dedicated to fostering social, virtual, and physical environments where everyone can participate fully and equitably.
Annette believes that awareness begins with empathy and that small, thoughtful actions can create meaningful change. Her work continues to shape global conversations about inclusion and the importance of recognising and supporting people with non-visible disabilities.
Caroline Creane, Aviation Psychologist and Senior Consultant, Symbiotics Ltd., UK
Caroline is an EAAP-certified Aviation Psychologist with a MSc in Occupational Psychology from Coventry University. She is as a Senior Psychology Consultant at Symbiotics ltd, with 10 years’ experience applying selection and assessment expertise in the aviation setting. She specialises in the development of high-quality psychometric assessments for Symbiotics’ ADAPT system, providing training in assessor skills and best practice, and assisting operators with regulatory compliance. She is passionate about creating assessments tailored to specific operational demands and supporting a competency-based approach to selection, and over the past year has led the development a new suite of tools to address cabin crew selection needs.
Kelly Creegan, Aviation Security Specialist, easyJet, UK
Kelly is an Aviation Security Specialist at easyJet, with a strong background in security strategy and risk management. Kelly brings extensive experience in evaluating and assessing disruptive passenger incidents, with a focus on enhancing safety protocols and operational resilience. Her work supports strategic decision-making and frontline preparedness, particularly in high-pressure environments where passenger non-compliance or aggression poses a threat to crew and aircraft safety.
Kelly contributes to initiatives that improve deterrence, enforcement, and training for aviation personnel, and is passionate about fostering a safety culture that empowers staff and protects passengers.
With a background in fraud investigation and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and psychology, Kelly combines analytical expertise with a practical understanding of human behaviour to help strengthen safety and security across the industry.
Capt. Edith Mala Diop, Pilot Peer Support Coordinator, Qatar Airways, Qatar; Vice President, UFACI – Union des Femmes de l’Aviation Civile de Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Captain Edith Mala Diop is a Boeing 777 Captain and Pilot Peer Support Coordinator at Qatar Airways, and Vice President of UFACI, the Association of Women in Civil Aviation of Côte d’Ivoire. She is the first female airline Captain from Côte d’Ivoire and has over 15 years of international experience on long-haul and ultra–long-haul operations.
Edith holds an MSc in Air Transport Management and specialises in human factors, safety culture, and pilot mental health. She plays a key role in developing confidential peer support structures that enhance crew wellbeing and operational resilience.
She has been named among Forbes Afrique’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Africa and is a recipient of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Excellence Award, personally presented by the President and First Lady. Edith is also deeply committed to advancing women and youth in aviation through mentorship and outreach initiatives across Africa.
Sharon Fletcher, Cabin Safety Specialist – Investigation Lead, easyJet, UK
Sharon is a Cabin Safety Specialist – Investigation Lead with over 30 years experience in the aviation industry, with the last 22 years at easyJet. Sharon ensures the highest standards of in-flight safety, regulatory compliance, and crew training. With a strong background in aviation operations and safety management systems (SMS), Sharon plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing safety procedures that enhance passenger well-being and operational efficiency.
Passionate about fostering a proactive safety culture, collaborating closely with flight and ground teams to identify risks and deliver targeted training programmes, Sharon is a member of the DPAG (Disruptive Passenger Action Group) working on mitigations to try to prevent incidents and investigating after an incident ensuring crew welfare. Sharon believes that cabin safety is not just about procedures—it’s about people. By equipping crews with the tools to manage unpredictable behaviour calmly and professionally, they help foster a safer, more respectful flying environment for all. Whether supporting new safety initiatives or mentoring crew members, Sharon is passionate about continuous improvement in every aspect of aviation safety.
John Franklin, Lead Specialist Communications and Safety Promotion. EASA, Germany
John’s love of aviation started at the age of eight when his family became involved in hot air ballooning. He began his aviation career in the Royal Air Force, serving as an Engineering Officer on the Tornado aircraft and then later within the Military Aviation Authority. He joined EASA in 2011 in the Safety Analysis Team and, in 2018, became EASA’s Head of Safety Promotion.
John leads their Together4Safety promotion initiative to help the European aviation community by providing practical information and support on a range of safety issues and other topics. In 2024 the Safety Promotion Team integrated into a new Communications and Safety Promotion Department where John is now the Lead Specialist for Communications and Safety Promotion.
An Gaiser, Managing Director, An Gaiser Consultancy B.V., The Netherlands
An Gaiser is a behavioural intelligence expert with over twenty years of experience across government, intelligence, and corporate sectors. A former investigator and HUMINT trainer with the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), she has trained elite units including the Korps Commandotroepen and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee in behavioural detection, investigative interviewing, and counter-terrorism tactics.
As Managing Director of An Gaiser Consultancy, she designs and delivers advanced programmes on insider threat, resistance analysis, and high-stakes communication for international clients ranging from law enforcement to multinational organisations.
An is the author of Hidden Signals – The Art of Timing and Influence in Conversations (2025) and a frequent speaker at international conferences such as UNOCT and the Behavioural Analysis conference. An bridges science and practice to help professionals read what is unsaid and act decisively in complex environments.
Veronica Heen, Chief Ground Instructor, Norwegian, Norway
Having been employed in the aviation industry for 22 years, Veronica Heen has built extensive expertise in cabin operations and training. Currently serving as Chief Ground Instructor at Norwegian, she leads with a focus on safety, compliance, and high training standards for B737 fleets.
Veronica’s career has spanned roles from cabin crew to training leadership, reflecting a deep commitment to operational excellence and passenger safety.
Adam Hopper, Director of Acute Healthcare, Paramedic and Blue Light Services Crisis Prevention Institute International; and, National Ambulance Violence Prevention and Reduction Lead, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, UK
Adam Hopper is a leading figure in National Health Service (NHS) violence prevention, with 19 years of experience in the NHS, including ten years in risk management and seven years specialising in violence and aggression. For the past four years, he has served as the National Lead for Violence Prevention and Reduction (VPR) with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). Adam has worked alongside healthcare industry leaders, including NHS England, as an instrumental part of the team responsible for reviewing and updating the latest version of the VPR Standard, professionalising healthcare VPR and leading systemic and progressive change for VPR in the ambulance sector and within the wider NHS.
Adam is eager to continue supporting all ambulance and wider NHS colleagues to work without fear in the course of providing first class patient care and services to the public.
Prof. André Inácio, Professor, Law School, Lusófona University; Vice-President, OSCOT (Observatory on Security, Organized Crime and Terrorism); and AVSEC Specialist, Portugal
Prof. André Inácio obtained his Law degree from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, before completing postgraduate studies in Criminology and in Economic and European Criminal Law. He later earned his PhD in Law from San Pablo CEU University in Madrid, Spain.
He served as a Criminal Investigator for 13 years and as a Lecturer in Criminal Law for 7 years at the Judiciary Police, between 1989 and 2009.
Prof. Inácio is a Researcher at CEAD – Francisco Suárez Center for Advanced Studies in Law, Vice-President of the Observatory on Organized Crime and Terrorism (OSCOT), a Member of the Observatory of the Islamic World, and a Member of the Examination Board for admission to the Center for Judicial Studies (CEJ).
He lectures and provides training internationally in the fields of Homeland Security, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Ethics and Transparency, and Civil Aviation Security (AVSEC). He is also a frequent media commentator on Public Security and Criminal Justice issues and has authored several book chapters and academic articles in these areas.
Susana Jardim, Head of Security & Regulatory Affairs, Hi Fly, Portugal
Susana Jardim became Hi Fly’s Head of Security & Regulatory Affairs in 2011. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the airline’s security, both on the ground and in the air. She also manages international regulatory affairs having regular interaction with regulatory entities such as ANAC, AVSEC Malta, TSA, FAA, CASA and others.
Susana is an AVSEC instructor and an IATA certified and active IOSA RBI Lead auditor qualified in ORG, GRH, CGO and SEC disciplines, as well as an IOSA RBI Evaluator that brings more than 30 years’ experience in aviation in several management positions, such as in customer service, flight dispatch, scheduling and quality/compliance, having worked for companies like Air Atlantis, Heliávia, INAER and NetJets – the last one for over 13 years. In addition to her Aeronautical Sciences Degree, she has held a valid Flight Operations Officer (FOO) License since 1997.
Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic, Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic is a Professor of Psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Her research focuses broadly on issues related to sexual violence prevention, including understanding and preventing airline sexual assault.
She has published over 180 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and is the co-author/editor of six books including Child Sexual Grooming (Springer 2022); Sexual Offending: Evidence Based Legislation and Prevention (Springer 2016) and Protecting your Child from Sexual Abuse: What you Need to know to Keep your Kids Safe (Skyhorse, 2018; 2022).
Capt. Mike Karn, Sr Manager Flight Security, American Airlines, USA
Captain Mike Karn is the Senior Manager of Flight Security at American Airlines; he oversees security procedures in the Flight Operations Manual and develops new protocols for flight crews to address emerging threats. He designs and maintains security training programmes for initial, recurrent, distance-learning, and joint training sessions at American Airlines.
Mike chairs the Joint Security Committee (JSC), which includes representatives from corporate security, the flight department, the APA, and the APFA. He has served eight years on the APA Board of Directors and spent more than 14 years as Chair of the APA Security Committee and CADC before assuming his current role as Senior Manager of Flight Security.
Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer, NTIA (Night Time Industries Association), UK
Michael Kill is a prominent leader and passionate advocate for the UK’s night-time economy. With decades of hands-on experience in the sector, he has consistently championed the rights and interests of the businesses, workers, and communities that form the backbone of the country’s vibrant nightlife landscape.
As CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Michael plays a pivotal role in shaping national discourse around the night-time economy. He works closely with a wide range of government bodies — both local and national—regularly providing expert testimony to Parliamentary Select Committees. His influence extends beyond policy, driving awareness and solutions around safety, workforce support, and economic sustainability within the industry.
In addition to his work at the NTIA, Michael serves as the Chair of the UK Door Security Association and holds the position of Vice President at the International Nightlife Association (INA). In these roles, he continues to promote high standards of security, operational excellence, and innovation across nightlife sectors globally. Further expanding his international engagement, in February 2025, the International Nightlife Association joined the UN Global Compact Network. As part of this milestone, Michael was appointed the INA’s European representative to the UN initiative, reinforcing his commitment to global collaboration and advocacy for sustainable and secure nightlife economies.
Ana Vieira da Mata, Chair of the Board, Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), Portugal
Ana Mata was appointed Chairwoman of the Board of ANAC – Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority, in January 2024.
She had already been a member of the Board since November 2021, responsible for managing the following areas within the CAA: economic regulation; consumer protection; human resources; financial resources and procurement.
Following her appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors, her activities increased to include the management of matters related to airworthiness, operations, facilitation and security.
In December 2025 she was elected as the first woman to chair the Management Board of EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). She is also the Vice-Chair of the Economics Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Daniel Magalhães, Director, Central Unit for Border Management, Public Security Police (PSP), Portugal
Superintendent Daniel Magalhães is a senior officer of the Public Security Police (PSP) of Portugal, with experience in police operations, intelligence, criminal investigations, airport security and strategic border management. Daniel is also a member of the Airpol Insider Threat Working Group and also of the Airpol Table-top Exercise – Severe Incidents at an Airport.
Gonçalo Miranda, Security Manager, World2Fly, Portugal
Gonçalo Miranda has been part of the aviation industry for 26 years, building a career that has blended operational experience with leadership in security management. He started as a cabin crew member and, over the years, has held different roles across three different commercial airlines.
As a Security Manager, Gonçalo focuses on the promotion of a strong and proactive security culture within operational teams. His direct experience with real-world security situations, combined with an operational background, has shaped his perspective and reinforced his commitment to strengthening aviation security from both practical and strategic perspectives.
David Moldskred, Principal Inspector Cabin Safety, Civil Aviation Authority – Norway, Norway
With 19 years of experience in the aviation industry, David has held a range of key operational and leadership roles, including Senior Cabin Crew, Supervisor, Base Chief Cabin Crew, Head of Cabin Crew Section, Ground Instructor on B737 and B787, and CRM Instructor.
Since joining the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway in 2022, he has served as Principal Inspector for Cabin Safety, CRM, and FTL/FRM, overseeing safety oversight and regulatory compliance. David also leads Norway’s Unruly Passenger Project, dedicated to improving passenger safety and supporting frontline personnel.
Internationally, he represents Norway in the EASA Cabin Safety Expert Group (CSEG) and the ICAO Cabin Safety Standards Working Group (CSSWG), contributing to global safety policy and standard development.
Kristi Morley, Sr. Manager, Inflight Standards and Safety, Republic Airways, USA
Kristi Morley is the Senior Manager of Inflight Standards and Safety at Republic Airways. In her position, she leads the inflight safety and service initiatives, develops flight attendant policies and procedures, and advises on Inflight training programmes. She has also been responsible for inflight department operations, performance, and reliability.
Kristi participated in the FAA ACT ARC De-escalation Training Enhancement Workgroup (DTE WG) to review de-escalation training and make industry recommendations. FAA ACT ARC is the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
Ng Sue Chin, Manager – Technical Affairs, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Malaysia
Sue Chin is an aviation security professional, working with airlines and stakeholders to address operational and efficiency challenges, notably in the Asia Pacific region. She is currently responsible for running the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Security Committee (SC) and the Cargo Security Working Group (CSWG) programmes.
Prior to joining AAPA, Sue Chin held an executive position in engineering with Transmile Air (now known as Raya Airways); she joined as a management trainee and was trained within the Flight Operations, Flight Planning & Aviation department for two months before positioned within the aircraft engineering spares department
Sue Chin holds a Master in Business Administration from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan. She is Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship Recipient and has a Bachelor of Science honours degree from the University of Malaya.
Diāna Marta Ruka, Ground Instructor Manager & AVSEC Instructor, airBaltic, Latvia
As an aviation instructor with a strong background in aviation security, emergency and safety equipment, crew resource management, and dangerous goods, Diāna brings over five years’ experience to the table. Currently serving as the Chief Ground Instructor, she is dedicated to ensuring the highest level of safety and security in the aviation industry.
With a passion for educating others on the importance of proper training and procedures, Diāna is thrilled to be speaking at the upcoming aviation security conference. Join her as she shares her experience and insight gleaned from airBaltic’s aviation security measures and best practices. Diāna encourages all stakeholders to work together to create a safer and more secure future for all air travellers.
Capt. Chris Smith, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland; Captain & Former Wellness Manager, Jetstar Airways; and, Author, Leadership at 43000 Feet, Australia
Chris Smith is a former airline captain with Jetstar Airways, Australia, and is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland, as well as being a counsellor and published author.
He has held numerous senior managerial positions within the aviation industry, including Flight Operations Manager, Chief Pilot, Head of Standards, Flying Operations Development Manager, Wellness Manager, and Check Captain. He established the Trust Peer Support Programs in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam and is a regular corporate speaker on the psychology, legal, transportation, medical, safety and aviation conference circuits. He continues to work extensively with international corporations across multiple industries.
‘Leadership at 43000 Feet’ is his autobiographical leadership book, imparting experiences and leadership lessons, originally learned from the flight deck, to head offices and to counselling rooms. He is a presenter on radio and podcasts, and writes for numerous business magazines. Chris is an Executive Council Member and Contributing Author to CEO World Magazine.
He holds a Master Air Pilot Certificate by the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators for services to the aviation industry, a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management and a Diploma of Counselling.
Prof. Conceição Soares Fatela, Associate Professor and Vice-Director, Law School, Lusófona University, Portugal
Conceição Soares Fatela is Associate Professor and Vice-Director of the Law School at Lusófona University, in Lisbon, Portugal. Her focus is on corporate, compliance, banking, contract, property and tax law – especially relating to VAT – as well as governance and the law of guarantees.
Conceição Soares Fatela holds a PhD in Private Law from Minho University Law School, a master’s degree in contract and company law from Minho University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in Law from Lisbon University Law School. She has organised and participated in courses, conferences and seminars and published articles and book chapters on her areas of work. Conceição Soares Fatela has been a member of several scientific boards and juries and supervises several academic dissertations. For almost two decades, she was a director within the legal departments of several credit institutions.
Diana Stevens, Customer Operations Manager – Ground Operations, easyJet, UK
With over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry—spanning both cabin and ground operations—Diana Stevens brings a wealth of operational expertise and leadership to her role at easyJet. Specialising in customer service and behavioural management, Diana has been instrumental in shaping safer, more resilient airport environments through frontline support and strategic collaboration.
Her work focuses on managing and mitigating disruptive behaviour, where she leads cross-functional initiatives to enhance incident response and foster coordination between the airline and airports. At DISPAX World, Diana will be sharing practical tools and real-world strategies drawn from decades of hands-on experience, offering a people-focussed approach that blends operational rigour with empathy and resilience in the face of challenging interactions.
Katie Taylor, CEO & Founder, The Latte Lounge & Author, ‘Midlife Matters’, UK
Katie Taylor is the founder and CEO of The Latte Lounge, an online platform for women over 40, which exists to help women in midlife and menopause thrive at home and in the workplace. She created The Latte Lounge in 2016, after suffering for four years with misdiagnosed symptoms of perimenopause. Her community now supports more than 80,000 women with evidence-based information about women’s health, backed by a medical advisory team.
She is also the founder and host of the ‘Midlife Festival’ & the ‘Midlife and Menopause Uncovered podcast’. Katie frequently gives menopause in the workplace talks to organisations looking to support their staff – with a professional highlight including a talk at 10 Downing Street in London last year for all the No 10 staff.
Katie is proud to be part of the #MakeMenopauseMatter campaign team, founded by Diane Danzebrink.
Her new book ‘Midlife Matters’, was published by Dorling Kindersley (DK) on 6th March 2025.
Dr. Sara Tripodi, Chair, Women’s Committee, European Transport Workers’ Federation & Representative, Federazione Italiana Lavoratori Trasporti – Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (FILT-CGIL), Italy
Dr. Sara Tripodi started as a railway worker and is now a full-time unionist at Filt-Cgil. She . She has represented various groups of workers, beginning with railway employees; she later organised logistics, public service, and road transport workers.
Sara now works in the Filt-Cgil international department, where she is responsible for gender policy and seafarers. She is an active member of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and has been elected Chair of the ETF Women’s Committee.
Terry Upsall, AVSEC Instructor, Green Light Limited, UK
Terry Upsall has spent most of his working life in a teaching and training environment, working globally, facilitating courses for small companies through to multi-national organisations. He moved into the field of aviation security 20 years ago and has since worked with numerous airlines and civil aviation authorities worldwide, mainly in the area of in-flight security and disruptive passenger management.
Terry works as an instructor for Green Light delivering train-the-trainer and in-flight security programmes to airlines and behavioural analysis training to airport security and ground staff. He is an IATA instructor, delivering in-flight security training, and is currently conducting disruptive passenger management training in Singapore. He also facilitates behavioural analysis training for the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Frédéric Wille, Integrated Safety & Compliance Manager, Inflight Services, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, The Netherlands
Frédéric commenced his aviation career as a flight attendant in 1997 and in the years since he has been captivated by all the safety and security issues that crew encounter on a regular base. After changing companies in 2002, he started with KLM and took up a secondary function as an assessment purser with cabin safety being the major focus.
During COVID, Frédéric was working full-time behind the scenes to keep cabin crew as safe as possible whilst travelling under difficult conditions. In 2022 he took on his current role focussing on disruptive passengers.