Katie Hill on eVTOLs, policy, and building aviation’s next chapter

Katie Hill on eVTOLs, policy, and building aviation’s next chapter

Author: Shaesta Waiz, Michael Wildes March 19, 2026 Duration: 36:42
Katie Hill works at the center of aviation policy, government affairs, and advanced air mobility, and in this conversation she explains how she got there. She started on Capitol Hill working for Senator Moran, where mentors pushed her toward the commerce portfolio and introduced her to aviation policy. What began as a Hill assignment turned into a real calling once she started working on advanced air mobility and saw how policy could help shape an entirely new part of aviation. For Katie, joining Joby was not a career detour. It was the chance to help build the future she had already started working toward in government. She also breaks down advanced air mobility in simple terms: fast, quiet, short-distance electric flight for normal people. Katie explains how Joby’s aircraft is designed to connect places that are close enough to drive but far enough to waste time in traffic, like downtown Washington and Dulles. She talks about why noise matters, why integration into the current aviation system matters, and why safety has to stay at the center of every conversation about innovation and regulation. Her point is clear: this only works if the aircraft is safe, useful, and accessible. Later, Katie talks about the pace of life at Joby, the discipline of focusing on the three most important things each day, and how motherhood changed the way she thinks about work and impact. She shares what it was like balancing Joby, law school, and a new baby at the same time, and why being fully present in each role matters. She closes with advice for young women entering aviation: trust your instincts, find strong mentors, speak up for yourself, and do not be afraid to chase the opportunity that feels right before everyone else sees it. CHAPTERS (00:00) Why Katie chose aviation policy (02:01) How she found AAM (06:15) Explaining eVTOLs simply (10:17) Why regional access matters (11:30) Her role at Joby (16:29) Innovation and regulation (20:10) How big ideas take shape (23:00) Why access to flight matters (25:26) Motherhood, work, and balance (32:42) Advice for young women SPONSOR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Atlantic Aviation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠atlanticaviation.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WORK WITH SHAESTA For bookings and inquiries, visit: ⁠⁠https://shaestawaiz.com/book⁠⁠ MORE ABOUT KATIE HILL LinkedIn: Katie Hill - Joby Aviation MORE ABOUT SHAESTA WAIZ  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shaestawaiz.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shaesta.waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shaesta Waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@aviateplatform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shaestawaiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shaesta.waiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif & Kroo Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MassifKroo.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For inquiries/sponsoring: email hello@MassifKroo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In each episode of AVIATE with Shaesta, host Shaesta Waiz-herself recognized as the youngest woman to fly solo around the world-creates a unique space for dialogue. She is joined by co-host Michael Wildes as they connect with a remarkable roster of female aviators. These aren't just interviews; they are honest, meandering conversations with trailblazers, record-setters, mothers, adventurers, and entrepreneurs. Together, they explore the nuanced realities of navigating a field where women are still pioneers. The discussions naturally extend beyond the cockpit, touching on broader themes of society, culture, and the complex relationships and personal dramas that shape these high-flying lives, all while acknowledging the technology that makes their journeys possible. You’ll hear stories of triumph and setback, the balance of personal ambition with family life, and the sheer adventure of viewing the world from above. This podcast goes deeper than the typical aviation narrative, offering a genuine look at the community, challenges, and profound joys that define these women's experiences. Tune in for a series that feels more like a series of intimate, global conversations than a formal show, all guided by Shaesta’s unique perspective and heartfelt curiosity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 94

AVIATE with Shaesta
Podcast Episodes
Blue Origin's Kiah Erlich on the power of pivoting. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:56
Kiah Erlich, pilot, STEM advocate, and leader in aviation, has served in a wide variety of positions throughout her aviation career. Upon graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management…
Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up, Stephanie Chung on Self-Advocacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:55
Stephanie Chung, our guest today, grew up around aviation because of her father, a Master Sergent, who served in the United States Air Force. She started her aviation career young, working for a Major US Airline- in vari…
Media Personality & Pilot, Ariel Tweto on Social Media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:42
In this podcast episode, I speak with pilot, producer, television star, and founder of a non-profit organization, Ariel Tweto. You may know Ariel from the Discovery Channel's hit, Flying Wild Alaska. Yup, that show was b…