The Vantage Airport Group this week announced that Folasade (Sade) Olanipekun-Lewis has joined its corporate leadership team as vice president, operating and community partnerships, a newly created role that will see her lead the development and implementation of all community and organizational partnerships in support of Vantage’s airport and infrastructure development projects.
Reporting to Stewart Steeves, Vantage’s chief operating officer, Olanipekun-Lewis will take a proactive approach to engaging local, minority, and women owned business enterprises at every level of Vantage’s projects, including the upcoming Vantage-led $3.9 billion development of Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), slated to break ground this year.
“At each of Vantage’s 30-plus airport projects over the past 27 years, we have seen the value of local community engagement and partnership to create best-in-class airport projects that deliver balanced outcomes for communities and stakeholders, from airport owners and airlines to employees, travelers and local businesses,’’ said George Casey, chairman and CEO, Vantage Airport Group. ‘’Sade is uniquely qualified to lead and grow our community engagement and partnership efforts, and we are thrilled she is part of the team.’’
Olanipekun-Lewis brings varied experience in airline and airport management, infrastructure and finance to her new role, most recently serving as regional director of government and airport affairs for American Airlines, directing and coordinating all political, governmental, and community strategies to support the airline’s local and national business goals.
Previously, she was chief administrative officer for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), responsible for planning, organizing, leading and directing all administrative functions, from business diversity to community engagement and government and public affairs.
“It’s an exciting time to join Vantage, and I look forward to contributing positively to our airport and infrastructure projects by leading local and diversity outreach to create projects that truly reflect and represent their communities.” said Olanipekun-Lewis.
Olanipekun-Lewis joins Vantage as the organization broadens its U.S. footprint with commercial and terminal development projects at Kansas City International Airport (MCI), JFK Terminal 6 and Vantage’s new LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal B which is close to 90 percent complete.
