Saint Paul, MN – Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Nancy L. Rivard is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Humanitarian Aviation.
Nancy L. Rivard, a pioneer in leveraging the airline industry for humanitarian efforts, continues to make significant strides in global philanthropy through her organization, Airline Ambassadors International. With a career spanning over three decades in the airline industry, Ms. Rivard’s journey is marked by unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes and advocacy for vulnerable populations worldwide.
Ms. Rivard’s career began with American Airlines, where she started as a flight attendant and quickly ascended to a supervisory role. Following a transformative period after her father’s passing in 1989, she returned to flying and embarked on a seven-year journey across the globe. This experience exposed her to stark global inequalities, inspiring her to found Airline Ambassadors International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to utilizing airline industry resources for humanitarian missions.
Despite initial challenges and skepticism from American Airlines, Ms. Rivard persevered, advocating passionately for orphans and vulnerable children. Her efforts have taken her before the United Nations and numerous international conferences, where she has championed causes in Bosnia, Colombia, Bolivia, Japan, and beyond.
As the founder of Airline Ambassadors International, Ms. Rivard has overseen more than 670 missions across 62 countries, delivering over $60 million in aid and impacting the lives of over 500,000 children. Her organization has also developed specialized human trafficking awareness training, which has been implemented at 130 airports worldwide.
In addition to her humanitarian endeavors, Ms. Rivard remains committed to community service, overseeing philanthropic projects in El Salvador that address issues such as conservation, elder care, support for abused women, and scholarship programs.
Ms. Rivard’s remarkable contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the 1999 Woman of Peace Award, the 2000 Ambassador of Peace Award, and the Human Rights Hero Award from the Foundation for a Slavery Free World. Her dedication to humanitarianism was further recognized with a President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Looking ahead, Ms. Rivard is focused on expanding her organization’s global impact, particularly through collaborations with leaders like El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. Her philosophy remains rooted in altruism and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations worldwide. Her new book, Wings of Love details the story of the finding of finding your life’s purpose, love and fulfillment – by asking the question “How can I serve? “
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