Virtual Coffee Break Series on Diversity and Inclusion, featuring Kahina Oudjehani

Our next D&I Coffee Break session features Kahina Oudjehani, Leader of Research & Technology and Sustainable Innovation, Airbus Canada, on Breaking Boundaries: Pioneering Environmental Innovation in Aerospace.

Kahina will talk about her journey from her early days at Bombardier as an environmental engineer until her nomination at Airbus Canada as a leader in Research & Technology. She had to develop a completely new and innovative project that had never been done before in the aerospace industry. The project was to study the Environmental impacts of the CSeries (today the A220) throughout its entire life cycle (cradle to grave). This work was successfully achieved and published under an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) first ever in Aerospace.

The virtual coffee break series is presented by CKN, SAMPE Canada, CACMSA and CREPEC. Topics will include the importance of D&I, mentorship, allyship, how to make your workplace more inclusive, unconscious bias, and more.

Biography:

Ms. Kahina Oudjehani joined Airbus Canada in 2021 as leader of Research & Technology and Sustainable Innovation. She is responsible for the implementation and alignment of the R&T roadmap, as well as building relationships between local industry and universities.

She has 23 years experience in various fields: Aerospace, Consulting Engineering, R&D and ITC. She was the Head of Eco-design and Environmental Affairs at Bombardier for 13 years. In 2020, she became the first female recipient of the prestigious C.D. McCurdy Award from the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI) established in 1954 for successfully developing, leading and delivering the world’s firstever commercial and business aircraft environmental claims for the C Series Now A220 and the Global 7500.

As a sustainability expert, guest speaker and designated panelist, Kahina contributes to the global footprint of the organizations she represents at several high-profile local and international events. Kahina also gives lectures and shares her personal experiences to inspire and encourage young women to pursue a career in the engineering and aerospace fields.

Kahina is a graduate of École Polytechnique de Montréal where she obtained a Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in the same discipline. She works at the Airbus Canada site in Mirabel.