WIA Europe President, Simonetta Di Pippo, has been selected as 2012 recipient of the Leadership Award by our WIA colleagues in the United States.

She was given this “in recognition of her role as a strong advocate of space exploration, highly skilled manager of complex space projects, mentor and as a leader for young women in the aerospace sector.”

The awards dinner took place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, US, on 1 November.

A few words of acceptance from Simonetta Di Pippo: “Ladies and Gentleman, unfortunately an unavoidable engagement blocked me in Europe today. This WIA Leadership award represents a lot to me. I’m very proud on one side, and honoured, on the other one, but I’m also excited to realise that WIA is becoming more and more a global network, and we are really building up a new future for the next generations. My dedication to spread around the information, with my endless passion, that aerospace is also a women thing, and to convince and help the youngest to trust themselves and to keep going towards their future, has been recognised with this award, and this is an additional honour I feel with this Award today. But also my way to leadership is getting awarded today, which is something I do like a lot. I cannot find the right words to express my gratitude and my excitement, so please accept again my apologies for not being here with you all, today, to celebrate together the accomplishments of today and the hope for the future. Thanks again.”

Lillian Ryals, WIA’s board chair read the remarks and accepted the award on S. Di Pippo’s behalf.