Dassie Persaud-van-der-Westhuizen

Height: 5’6
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Languages: English
Occupation: Aviation Sustainability Planner

Dassie Persaud-van der Westhuizen is a trailblazing force in the aviation industry and a proud Canadian-born biracial individual who grew up in South Africa. With an illustrious background spanning from excelling in sports at a national level to achieving a fixed-wing Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL), Dassie is no stranger to breaking barriers in male-dominated sectors. Armed with two degrees—a BSc in Architecture and an MS in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability specializing in Space Operations—she embodies a unique blend of intellect, resilience, and beauty.

Dassie’s professional journey is marked by remarkable achievements, including her role as an aviation journalist, aviation sustainability planner, and internationally flying flight attendant. Her commitment to gender diversity and empowerment shines through her initiative in launching Aviatrix West, a former aviation blog aimed at inspiring more women to join the industry. Notable accolades adorn her portfolio, such as co-authoring a peer-reviewed journal article, presenting research to NASA’s environmental committee, serving as a panelist at an aviation sustainability conference, and project experience in emerging topics such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and airport infrastructure resilience. With her sights set on executive-level leadership roles, Dassie is poised to make a lasting impact on the global stage, advocating for positive change and inspiring others to reach new heights.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Dassie finds fulfilment in maintaining a balanced lifestyle, engaging in fitness activities such as swimming and yoga. Her passion for travel, art, literature, and cherished moments with her husband and puppy enrich her multifaceted persona. With unwavering determination and a vision for a brighter future, Dassie is primed to shine brightly in the Miss Universe Canada 2024 competition, showcasing her strengths and leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

My interests reflect my aspiration to embody a Renaissance woman; a term used to describe a woman who possesses a diverse range of talents, skills, and interests.

I am deeply passionate about the aviation industry, viewing it as more than just a career but a lifestyle. Aviation sustainability is a particular focus, as I endeavor to make the sector more environmentally friendly and socially responsible while advocating for diversity and encouraging more women to join. Outside of my profession, I prioritize a healthy lifestyle, enjoying activities such as swimming and yoga. Traveling, art, reading, writing, baking, solving puzzles, and spending time with my husband and puppy also bring me joy and fulfillment.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

While growing up, I immersed myself in various activities to become a well-rounded individual.

• I devoted nearly a decade to ballet, played piano for several years, and explored art during my school years – sparking my interest in Architecture.
• I engaged in swimming competitions at school, pursued track and field athletics, represented my province in squash, and played field hockey at provincial and national levels for my age. Despite dreams of competing in field hockey at the Olympics, a career-ending injury shifted my focus towards other pursuits.
• I am now a fully qualified fixed-wing commercial pilot and completed associated aviation trainings such as First-Aid and CPR.
• To make more of an impact in the field of sustainability, I hold an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

From the age of 10, I showcased a natural talent for sports, excelling in track and field athletics, where I broke multiple records and often earned the title of Athlete of the Year (Victrix Ludorum). Additionally, I competed in squash at a provincial level, achieving a top 10 ranking in South Africa’s U14 category. Field hockey became a passion, and I represented provincial teams from the age of 10, was selected for the South African U18 field hockey team at the age of 16, and later selected for the U21 World Cup squad. While I also swam competitively at school, my true prowess lay on land. These achievements led me to attend a private high school on a sports scholarship and later secured me a sports scholarship to my university.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

One person who has profoundly influenced my life is Nelson Mandela. His tireless efforts to end apartheid in South Africa (where I grew up) paved the way for equality and acceptance, allowing biracial individuals, such as me, to live without the shackles of racial discrimination and other forms of inequality prevalent in the country at the time of my birth.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

Did you know that less than 6% of airline pilots globally are women? Some sources estimate it to be as low as 4%. My proudest personal accomplishment is being selected to be an airline pilot and completing my Airbus A320 skills test – proof that women can excel in the male-dominated aviation industry. Although my offer of employment was withdrawn due to the aviation industry standstill brought about by COVID and I pivoted into aviation sustainability since the pandemic, the experience continues to empower me, showcasing my resilience and determination.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

The most interesting and unique thing about me is that I decided to specialize in space operations during my master’s degree in aviation and aerospace sustainability. I chose this challenging path to delve into the fascinating realm of outer space and the emerging commercial space sector. My research topics, including orbital debris, lunar ice utilization for rocket fuel, and additive manufacturing for Martian infrastructure, exemplify my passion for turning what sounds like science fiction into reality. It’s an exciting field where innovation knows no bounds, and I’d be thrilled to also be a part of shaping the future of space exploration outside of the academic world.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is to drive sustainability within the aviation industry, aligning with global goals to cap the temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. I have worked on airport sustainability projects, been a panelist at an industry conference, and published a peer-reviewed journal article. To further my impact, I aim to transition into an executive level role at a reputable company (such as the company where I am currently employed). Pursuing an MBA and potentially a PhD are also on my agenda to enhance my expertise and leadership in this field.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

I love my current job and career path. However, my ‚Äòdream job’ would be working in the space sector, focusing on aerospace sustainability, particularly addressing the challenge of orbital debris. Tackling this issue is crucial for humankind as it ensures the safety and sustainability of space activities. Orbital debris poses significant risks to active satellites, spacecraft, and crewed missions, threatening to cause collisions and generate more debris in a dangerous chain reaction known as the Kessler syndrome. By developing solutions to recycle or mitigate orbital debris, we safeguard valuable space assets, preserve the space environment for future generations, and enable continued exploration and utilization of outer space resources.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born in North York, Canada, but spent my childhood in South Africa. Growing up, I was encouraged to explore any interest without labels or limitations. For example, excelling in sports didn’t mean I couldn’t also excel academically. As a biracial individual with mixed nationality parents (Canadian and South African) in an interracial marriage, I learned about equality and human rights from a young age, especially since both of my parents are human rights advocates. Essentially, I had a stable environment where hard work was valued, and my diverse ideas were supported.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

One interesting job I’ve had was starting my own aviation blog called Aviatrix West. Named after my last name (van der Westhuizen), the blog aimed to share my industry experiences, empower fellow female aviators, and inspire more women to join the male-dominated field. Initially a passion project, it gained popularity and I successfully monetized it for a period, turning my love for writing into a rewarding endeavor. It also gave me the confidence I needed to approach a magazine with a story and I landed up publishing a monthly column in Africa’s most popular aviation magazine, as well as a handful of articles for an online Canadian aviation magazine.

List any volunteering you have done.

I was deeply involved in my university’s student run charity organization during my student years in South Africa by serving on the executive committee and being selected as the face of the organization by winning the pageant title ‚ÄòTuksRag Queen’. Similar to the Miss Universe Canada competition, applicants were judged on the volunteering initiatives. Some of my accomplishments include securing three full scholarships for students and organizing fundraising events.

What is your most unusual talent?

My most unusual talent lies in my versatility and ability to excel across various domains. From competing in sports at a national level and training in ballet for nearly a decade to earning a master’s degree, publishing articles as a journalist, speaking at industry events, and flying aircraft, I possess a diverse range of skills seldom found in a single individual.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

The most interesting place I’ve been to is Japan. As a former internationally flying flight attendant, I’ve had the privilege of visiting many destinations, but Japan left a lasting impression. The phenomenal food, polite citizens, and remarkable efficiency across the country captivated me. Although my visit was brief, I dream of returning to explore further, especially during cherry blossom season.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I envision myself at the forefront of driving sustainability within the aviation industry. Building upon my current achievements, I aim to transition into at least a director level role at a renowned company (such as my current company).

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

Yes, I would like to add that I fully support the elimination of multiple entry requirements to the Miss Universe competition. As a married 31-year-old woman, I believe that a woman’s value is not tied to her age or marital status. If these barriers were still in place, women such as myself would have been barred from entering.