Building What Aviation Needs Next with Lisa DeFrees

Building What’s Next with Lisa DeFrees What does it take to build a career in aviation that can evolve alongside the industry? In this episode of the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast, Shaesta Waiz, the 8th woman to fly solo around the world, sits down with Lisa DeFrees, an aviation sales, marketing, and media leader whose career has spanned three decades of transformation across the general aviation industry. Lisa shares why curiosity, relationships, trust, and even a little naivety have helped her navigate change, from the evolution of aviation media from print to digital to her own transition into aviation infrastructure. She also discusses what makes customers say yes, why real-world expertise still matters in an increasingly technology-driven world, and why being willing to ask questions can be one of the most valuable skills in your career. The conversation also looks ahead at the growth of general aviation, rising aircraft ownership costs, the demand for aircraft hangars and airport infrastructure, and what it will take to support the next generation of aircraft, pilots, owners, and aviation businesses. Now working to expand aviation infrastructure across the United States, Lisa is helping address an often overlooked question: As aviation grows, are we building the infrastructure needed to sustain it? Building What’s Next is a conversation about career reinvention, aviation leadership, sales and marketing, women in aviation, general aviation growth, aircraft ownership, and the people building what the aviation industry will need next. 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Meet Lisa DeFrees 02:25 Curiosity, Naivety & Navigating Change 04:19 What Actually Makes Someone Say Yes? 07:15 Turning a Great Idea Into a Sale 09:19 The Power of Relationships & Partnerships 10:08 From Print to Digital: How Aviation Media Changed 11:30 Why Real-World Expertise Still Matters 13:31 The Risks of Relying on AI & Search 14:13 What’s Next for Aviation? 15:30 Innovation, Technology & New Opportunities 17:33 Reinventing Your Career in Aviation 18:11 Building the Infrastructure Aviation Needs 20:37 Can Infrastructure Keep Up With Aviation’s Growth? 21:18 Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices