ALBANY, NY – Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable (AWAR) has selected Mahoko Hara, Executive Chair of Aviation Capital Group (ACG) and Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Tokyo Century Corporation, as the winner of its 2023 Trailblazer Award. Mahoko was presented with the award during AWAR’s Annual Leaders Luncheon in Dublin on 17 January.
“I am honored and gratified to receive this award. There are so many women and men working together to advance women and diverse populations in the aviation industry and I applaud the work being done by AWAR to raise awareness of the importance of women to the future of our industry,” says Mahoko.
Mahoko’s impressive career dates back to her days in corporate and investment banking, spending time between Tokyo, London and New York. In 2000, when Japanese banks were going through a consolidation phase, she moved to a US bank to broaden her experience and vision, working in structured/asset finance.
Since joining Tokyo Century in 2011, Mahoko has been at the forefront of aviation, successfully executing a number of strategic partnerships and M&A and holding strategic executive positions at several leading global aviation companies and inspiring scores of current and future aviation finance and leasing leaders along the way.
Mahoko has strongly supported the advancement of young people throughout her career, and she particularly understands the importance of women and their impact on the future of aviation. Under her leadership, Aviation Capital Group has engaged in numerous partnerships to promote the advancement of professionals within the industry and social efforts to give back to the community, which include developing mentoring and guidance through an internship program between ISTAT and ACG; participation in and support of AWAR; maintaining a female presence at the Women in Aerospace Conference hosted by Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance; and annual participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure since 2008.
“We are delighted to present Mahoko Hara with the 2023 AWAR Trailblazer Award,” says Emily Wicker, president of AWAR. “Her career-long commitment to DE&I and her work to advance women in aviation are exemplary and provide a roadmap for others to follow. She is truly deserving of this award and an inspiration to others.”
About AWAR
Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable is a nonprofit corporation registered in the U.S. whose mission is to engage with CEOs and other senior executives to build awareness and develop actionable strategies to promote the development and advancement of women leaders in the aviation industry.
For more information about AWAR and upcoming programs, visit awarglobal.com or contact Betsy Strickler at 518.694.4430 or info@awarglobal.com.