A SAIT graduate who used her diploma to work as an aircraft maintenance engineer before returning to the classroom as an instructor, Lynda Holden is now guiding the next generation of avionics and mechanical experts as Dean for the School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation.
After graduating in 1993, Holden worked her way up in the industry, from crew chief to inspector to production manager. Drawn back to SAIT by the opportunity to teach alongside her own former instructors in 2006, Holden taught for eight years before becoming the program chair.
She was appointed Associate Dean of Aviation and Technology in 2019, taking over the portfolios of aviation, mechanical and welding engineering, non-destructive testing and railway conductor.
Currently finishing a bachelor of technology in leadership and management from Thompson Rivers University, Holden also plays key roles for a number of transportation associations and councils, serving as president of the National Training Association (NTA) — an association that represents all accredited Transport Canada schools across the country — as a board member of the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council, which advises the provincial transportation minister, and the Canadian Council for Aviation.
Awards and achievements:
- Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in M1 and M2 categories
- Completed the Vancouver Community College Provincial Instructor Diploma
When I retire: "I will likely continue my lifelong learning journey and volunteer."
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.