Lisa Swartzwelder is the President and Chief Operating Officer of PAST - Pilot of Progress.

With a strong foundation in aviation and business, Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Aviation Human Factors from The Ohio State University, where she also earned her Private Pilot certification, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University.

With over thirty years of operations experience in the business aviation industry, Lisa has developed and implemented innovative programs while leading high-performing teams. Her expertise lies in mitigating organizational risk through strategic training, policy development, and fostering a compassionate work culture. Notably, she pioneered the first human service response (Care Team) and mental health first aid programs for FAA Part 91 operations. Her leadership and contributions have earned her recognition through awards from the National Business Aviation Association and the Family Assistance Education and Research Foundation.

Lisa is an active advocate for transforming education, intern and mentorships. As an industry partner to PAST, she co-led the creation of Girls Soar, a program designed to introduce Columbus Public middle school girls to aviation through hands-on design challenges. She has also volunteered with PAST's after-school program and served on the PAST Board of Trustees before joining this amazing tribe.