As the unmanned industry continues to grow rapidly, so does the need for a strong workforce to foster that growth and innovation. Considering this need and in effort to bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds to an industry that thrives off fresh ideas, Commercial UAV Expo launched their UAV Empower: Path to Leadership Event Scholarship at the 2024 event. Designed to propel university students interested in a career in the unmanned industry, specifically in using drones for good, Commercial UAV Expo sought after and named four young professionals as the winners of this scholarship.

Commercial UAV News caught up with scholarship recipient, Nina Shack, to learn about her recent endeavors in the drone industry and how she is continuing to pave the way for inclusivity and diversity in the unmanned world.

CUAV News: What’s your current role in the drone industry? What do you believe is the most important and impactful part of your job?

Nina Shack: I am an unmanned aircraft systems operator at Aero Velocity. One of our many services includes performing lidar scans for minority farmers in Mississippi. The most impactful part of my job is when bystanders approach my team with a natural curiosity about the drones and the task we are performing with them. It’s my hope that this kind of organic exposure to something they don’t often see will spark their interest in learning more about the many ways drones help our communities.

CUAV News: Tell us about an achievement or accomplishment in the last year that you are proud of. How has that helped you in your career in the drone industry?

Nina Shack: I graduated college at the end of 2024. I am a first-generation college student, so it was very emotional and impactful. There was a point where I considered leaving college for a year or not coming back at all. Being able to stick to it and push through is something I pride myself on and helps me build a strong knowledge base to put me in a good position to enter the workforce. 

From left to right: Lora Burns, Rebecca Lehman, Noah Baer, Nina Shack, and Eno Umoh

CUAV News: What steps have you taken to promote diversity initiatives in the commercial UAV industry? Have you observed any efforts or progress made by others in enhancing diversity?

Nina Shack: At the 2024 Commercial UAV Expo, I was thrilled to see a diverse group of young professionals, including women and African American women, attending the event. The CUAV scholarship I received last year sparked interest across various races and genders, bringing a fresh and previously underrepresented demographic to the conference. This shift was truly inspiring, and I’ve remained connected with many of those individuals. To further promote diversity in the UAV industry, I serve on the board of Black Girl Drone World, an organization dedicated to introducing Black girls to STEM through drones.

CUAV News: What kind of connections did you make at Commercial UAV Expo 2024 that have helped your career?

Nina Shack: I had the opportunity to meet with many drone professionals, many of whom I stayed in contact after the event. Commercial UAV Expo brought me connections that I otherwise would not have found and that has been invaluable. Additionally, when I was applying for jobs after the event, CUAV was one of the topics I could speak about with pride. Being a recipient of this scholarship helped solidify me as a strong candidate by showing my dedication to the industry early on my career, which is something I take great pride in. 

CUAV News: What advice would you give to young professionals who are interested in a career in the commercial drone space?

Nina Shack: The best advice I can give to younger professionals interested in the commercial drone industry would be to get a diverse understanding of all skills applicable to the industry. For example, many professionals have a GIS, processing, or photography background. Gathering an understanding of the many applications in the UAS field will allow them to understand how those skills can be used in tandem and for good.

The Commercial UAV Empower Path to Leadership Event Scholarship is open for submissions for the 2025 event. Submit Here.