During Women’s History Month, we wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the women who make up the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s Board of Directors. These women are remarkable because they have achieved success both personally and professionally. But more importantly, they are paving the way for other women to do the same. Five out of the nine Airport Authority Board members are women, a statistic we are proud to tout. 

Let’s look at the women making a difference not only at the Airport Authority but in and around San Diego County as well.

Mayor Catherine S. Blakespear 

Catherine S. Blakespear serves as Mayor for the city of Encinitas. Mayor Blakespear is passionate about our American democracy and all elements of the governmental structure that supports equality, liberty, freedom, and happiness that Americans enjoy. The mayors of the North County coastal cities appointed Mayor Blakespear to the Airport Authority Board in January 2020. She will serve a term ending January 31, 2023. Mayor Blakespear serves on the Audit and Capital Improvement Program Oversight Committees. She is also Chair of the SANDAG Board of Directors.

Mayor Mary Casillas Salas 

Mary Casillas Salas was elected Mayor of Chula Vista in 2014, becoming the first elected Latina mayor in Chula Vista and the County of San Diego. Mayor Casillas Salas is committed to public safety, effective stewardship of public funds, and careful planning that leads to superior sustainability of community resources. The mayors of the South County cities appointed Mayor Casillas Salas for a term ending on January 31, 2024. Mayor Casillas Salas is the Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee, sits on the Audit and Airport Advisory Committees.  

Johanna Schiavoni 

Johanna Schiavoni is a San Diego-based appellate attorney with extensive experience serving on nonprofit and civic boards. She regularly represents large companies, closely-held corporations, small businesses, and individuals in high-stakes appellate matters. Ms. Schiavoni serves as Chair of the Finance committee and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee. She also sits on the Capital Improvement Program Oversight Committee. She serves as the Airport Authority representative on the SANDAG Transportation Committee and the Airport Authority’s Art Advisory Committee. In 2021, Ms. Schiavoni served as Board Chair and has been reappointed as a member term ending January 31, 2023.

County Supervisor Nora Vargas 

Supervisor Nora Vargas was elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, representing District 1 in November 2020. For the last 25 years, Supervisor Vargas has worked to drive positive change and serve her community through public service. She is committed to ensuring that marginalized voices are included in the public dialogue regarding important issues such as health access, energy, technology, consumer protection, the environment, civic engagement, pensions, and education. The Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors appointed Supervisor Vargas to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2025. County Supervisor Vargas serves on the Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee and is the Airport Authority board liaison for the Port of San Diego.  

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert 

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert represents District 5 on the San Diego City Council and was previously a San Diego Deputy City Attorney. The Mayor of San Diego appointed Councilmember von Wilpert to the Board for a term ending on January 31, 2025. Councilmember Marni von Wilpert serves as the Chair of the Capital Improvement Program Oversight Committee and Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee.

We thank these amazing women for their leadership and service to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board.