beyond horizons: Our flagship event
Where Stories, Strength and Sisterhood Take Flight
Beyond Horizons: Our Purpose
Overview
Beyond Horizons is the flagship networking and dialogue event curated under Wings for Women (WFW), a platform founded by Mahek Shah, Private Pilot, Drone Pilot, and gender-equality advocate in aviation.
The event is designed to bring together students, mentors, and industry professionals (ages 15–30) from across sectors to connect, inspire, and grow.
Beyond Horizons isn’t just an event, it’s a movement that reimagines what the future of African aviation and professional spaces can look like: one where women are not the exception, but the norm.
Held on 6th April 2025, Beyond Horizons brought together women from aviation, tech, education, business, and beyond, all gathered around one brunch table to share stories, exchange experiences, and start conversations that matter.
Our Mission
At Beyond Horizons, our mission is to create a safe, inspiring space for women where voices are heard, mentorship flows freely, and collaboration replaces competition.
We aim to:
~ Spark meaningful conversations about equality, leadership, and growth.
~ Build intergenerational connections between young women and seasoned professionals.
~ Encourage women to step into leadership, claim their space, and rise with confidence.
~ Bridge aviation and other industries, showing how transferable skills and shared experiences can empower women across all fields.
Beyond Horizons: The Experience
The Event Experience
Beyond Horizons was a Sunday well spent. Filled with laughter, lessons, and limitless energy.
From engaging talks to open floor dialogues, the event fostered authenticity and sisterhood.
We played games, exchanged stories, celebrated our journeys, and shared a collective message that became our mantra:
“Empowered Women Rise Beyond All Limits.”
Brunch was served. Friendships were formed. Mentorships were born.
Every table held stories of strength, struggle, and soaring ambition.
Themes Discussed
~ Breaking free from societal expectations and stereotypes
~ Redefining leadership in male dominated industries
~ Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence
~ Navigating career transitions and personal balance
~ Championing sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth
What Went Down
~ Welcome Address by Host: Mahek Shah
~ Networking Brunch & Interactive Icebreakers
~ Speaker Panel: “Redefining Success: Beyond Titles and Timelines”
~ Round-table discussions with mentors & participants
~ Team games to spark collaboration and confidence
~ Group Activity: Writing the collective statement: Empowered Women Rise Beyond All Limits.
~ Group photo session & open networking hour
Voices That Inspired a Movement
Mahek Shah
We’d love to hear from you and support your aviation journey. Reach out to us anytime. At 22, Mahek Shah stands as a symbol of perseverance and purpose. A Private Pilot, Licensed Drone Pilot, and Commercial Pilot in training, Mahek founded Wings for Women at just 14 years old, determined to make aviation accessible to young women across Africa.
Over the years, her initiative has:
~ Helped 20+ girls enroll in flight schools
~ Conducted workshops for 30+ students
~ Reached 100,000+ audiences through advocacy and media
~ Built partnerships with aviation leaders and organizations
Beyond Horizons marked a six year milestone since her first feature in The Asian Weekly, a full circle moment from a curious schoolgirl to a changemaker hosting one of Kenya’s most empowering women’s networking events.
“The journey has been quiet, steady, and real. Not everything is instant but everything is possible. Beyond Horizons was proof of that.” – Mahek Shah
Speakers Who Inspired the Room
Susan Nambusi
With over 14 years in aviation, Susan leads transformative initiatives integrating sustainability into Kenya Airways’ operations. A certified life coach and leadership mentor, she empowers others to break their barriers and pursue excellence, redefining what it means to be a woman in aviation.
Winnie Nafula
A respected aviation leader and safety instructor, Winnie has trained countless professionals in Crew Resource Management (CRM), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP). Her expertise and mentorship inspire women to pursue excellence in aviation, all while embracing the balance of motherhood and leadership.
Sonia Khalsa
A technology innovator and educator, Sonia bridges the gap between academics and real world skills. Through her platform, Connecting Dots, she equips African students with AI, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, turning them into creators, not consumers. Formerly at IBM Canada, her global experience fuels her mission to transform education across the continent.
Maitri Patel (ACIM)
A marketing professional, entrepreneur, and gender-equality advocate, Maitri blends corporate leadership with creative passion. Her dual roles in fire safety marketing and events management, embody balance, innovation, and the courage to create opportunity where none exists.
Beyond Horizons marked more than just an event, it became a movement of mentorship and empowerment that will continue annually, expanding across cities and industries.
The 2025 edition inspired:
~ 50+ participants from 3 countries
~ 4 powerful speakers
~ 100,000+ social reach
~ Countless new friendships, collaborations, and mentorships formed
Be part of Beyond Horizons 2026 coming soon.
Expect more voices, bigger impact, and deeper dialogue.
Want to collaborate, sponsor, or speak at our next edition?
Contact us at mahek@wfwkenya.com
Follow @wingsforwomen_ for updates, registration, and highlights.
Because when women come together, we rise beyond all limits.
Testimonials
Cherop Lyoba
“Beyond Horizons was my first networking event and it could not have been a better experience! Listening to ambitious and successful women illuminated one principle that will change my career: Occupy Space. I learned to walk into a room as a qualified, deserving candidate, no matter my background. This event taught me that failure is not the end -it’s the beginning of growth. I’m eternally grateful to Mahek and the Wings for Women team for creating this opportunity. I’d attend again in a heartbeat.”
Rushali Shah
“A big shoutout to Wings for Women for organising such a meaningful brunch on women empowerment and mindful interactions. There was truly a space created for inspiration, awareness, and connection. Events like these spark real change and allow us to be better versions of ourselves.”