Board of Directors

Robin Hadfield

With a passion for aviation spanning more than four decades, Robin has worn many hats within the realm of flight, experiencing the incredible journeys that aviation can offer and the fascinating individuals it brings into one's orbit. Over the past decade, she has actively contributed to The Ninety-Nines, currently holding the position of President on the International Board of Directors, following four years as a Director. Collaborating with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Robin serves as a Search Coordinator with CASARA, contributing to aerial searches and supporting search and rescue operations. Trained in search techniques, search navigation, and other skills necessary for effective missions, she plays a vital role in saving lives through Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. Robin's aviation journey began flying in 1979, propelling her into aerobatic competitions as both a pilot and judge. For five years, she served as Co-Director for the Canadian Aerobatic Championships. Her involvement in aviation includes being Chairman of an aviation museum, Director of Canada's largest fly-in for vintage & classic aircraft and is the Air Show/Event Coordinator for a collection of WWII fighters. When not flying her RV-6A or Fairchild 24W26, Robin and her husband can be found on their sailboat. Alternatively, she channels her creativity into working with glass in kilns, as a fused-glass artist. Through each endeavor, Robin remains inspired by the limitless possibilities that aviation presents and the incredible people it brings together.

Minnetta Gardinier

Minnetta's passion for aviation began not quite 20 years. Today, she has accumulated 2500+ hours, an instrument rating, and has flown 13 Air Race Classic races, as well as flying to 99s events around the country. She has landed in 47 States, Canada, and Greenland! Except the trip to Greenland, most of Minnetta's flying is in her 1978 Cessna Cardinal Classic. Prior to her retirement in 2019, she served on the faculty at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA) where she conducted research in the area of molecular neurobiology and multiple sclerosis. In addition to her research laboratory, Minnetta taught pharmacology and neuroscience to graduate students, medical students, pharmacy students, and undergraduates. For nearly 10 years, she was an Associate Dean in the Graduate College where she managed summer research programs across campus for underrepresented students, developed a new Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for postdoctoral researchers, and created an interactive workshop series to discuss scholarly integrity and research ethics. Her 35+ years as a researcher/teacher/administrator allows her to bring a wealth of team-building skills to The 99s. Over the past 15+ years, Minnetta has much enjoyed volunteering her efforts with The 99s at all levels - Chapter, Section, and International. In particular, her efforts as the newly elected Vice President of The 99s will focus on working across our organization to enhance our support to chapter and section leadership with the goal of strengthening our recruitment and retention of women pilots in The 99s. It also affords her the opportunity to network across a variety of other aviation groups to promote women's roles in the aviation community and industry as The 99s reaches its century milestone.

Glenna Blackwell

Glenna Blackwell was first introduced to aviation at the young age of five, when she would visit her grandparents who lived across the road from a small rural airport in New England. Glenna and her sisters would spend hours watching all the activity at the airport. Although she was smitten with flying early in her life, she had to wait 41 years before having her first flight lesson... at the very same airport. Glenna's instructor introduced her to the 99s and she notes that the day she earned her private pilot certificate she joined this wonderful women's pilot organization. She also added single engine sea and instrument ratings to her certificate and enjoys flying low and slow in her partner's 1947 Piper Super Cruiser as well as high and faster in his Cardinal RG. Recently retired from a career as a graphic designer in advertising affords her more time to do the things that she loves - flying, photography, kayaking, cycling, skiing, and practicing yoga. With two sons and their families living nearby Glenna gets the opportunity to hang out with her 4 grandchildren (ages 11, 8, 8 & 6) which is great fun. By serving two terms as the New England Section Governor, the Connecticut Chapter Chair, and on numerous section, chapter, and international committees, she understands the mission of The Ninety-Nines. She recognizes the responsibilities of the secretary and looks forward to working closely with the entire board. Glenna states: "It is an honor to serve as a member of the International Board of Directors and I look forward to spreading my joy and passion for this amazing organization".

Aileen Coverdell

Nivedita Bhasin

Nivedita Bhasin always dreamed of flying as a child. She was sometimes distracted at school and was found daydreaming, looking out of her classroom window, watching the planes take-off and land. Blessed with her parents' support, and as her conviction grew stronger, she started building Balsa wood aero-models and later became a Glider Pilot. She gained experience in Gliders, giving joyrides to passengers, who were often surprised to find a 16-year-old as their pilot. Soon after completing her high school, Nivedita joined the local flying club in New Delhi, India and put her heart and soul towards becoming an Airline Pilot. She received a scholarship to complete her Commercial and in 1984 joined Indian Airlines, becoming one of India's pioneer women pilots. In her airline career spanning 37 years, Nivedita flew F27, B737, A300, A330 and B787. She has flown more than 22,000 hours. Nivedita's sister gifted her the first year of membership to The Ninety-Nines and this year, she has completed four decades as a Ninety-Nine. She loves being a part of this diverse organization and has served several terms as Governor, Membership and Scholarship Chair. In December 2021, soon after retirement, an opportunity to join the International Board of Directors (IBOD) came her way and now she's in her second term as International Director. This provides her with the perfect platform to meet and interact with 99s around the world, representing the IBOD at Section Meetings. She takes an active part in the Trust and Committee affairs. Her retirement from active flying allows her to pursue an active outdoor life in the lap of nature, along with Yoga, photography, hiking and tending to her garden. She lives in New Delhi, India with her husband who is also an Airline Pilot. She has a son who is a B777 Captain and daughter, a A320 Captain, as well as a Ninety-Nine.

Janet Patton

Janet Patton has been flying airplanes for over 36 years. A Michigan native, she earned her wings at small airports throughout SE Michigan. She joined the Michigan Chapter 99s as a Private Pilot when that was a requirement in 1988. She went on to get all certificates and ratings needed for a professional pilot career. Janet's biggest accomplishment was becoming Spirit Airlines first woman pilot in 1996 followed by the first woman Captain in 1998. She now works as a Boeing 777 First Officer for American Airlines, living in Denton, TX and is based at DFW. With almost 25 years at American, she is looking forward to holding wide-body Captain on the Boeing's 777 within the next couple years. Janet is the owner of Patton Aviation in Denton, TX and has both airplanes and hot air balloons in her fleet of training aircraft. Her legacy lives in by encouraging, mentoring and supporting the next generation of pilots.

Leslie Prellwitz

An Air Force brat, yet not introduced to flight until the age of 30, she now holds a PPL with instrument rating having logged 650 hours over the past 15 years flying C182, C310, and the Pilatus PC-12. Working and living in Chicago with her husband, she holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting and is the Director of CPT Content Management & Development for the American Medical Association. Leslie is honored to serve on The 99s International Board of Directors as Director, the one organization where she opts to devote her "spare" time. Her favorite charities are Doctors without Borders and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Negaunee Institute, and she enjoys watching football and basketball.

Patricia Prentiss

Corbi Bulluck

After earning a Masters degree in Education, Corbi taught in the North Carolina public schools for eight years before leaving to pursue an aviation career, first as a flight instructor at FlightSafety International in Vero Beach, FL, then as an airline pilot, flying for six years at Atlantic Southeast Airlines, based in Atlanta, GA. She retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation, after serving as the State's first female pilot, having spent twenty years as an Executive Pilot, transporting State officials and flying high-precision aerial photography. Flying in Corbi's Piper Dakota, she and her race partner, Stephanie Wrenn, won the 2019 the Air Race Classic, a 4-day, 2,400-mile cross-country airplane race, which traces its roots back to the original "Powder Puff Derby" of 1929. Corbi holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate; is a CFI, CFII, and MEI; and has flown over 10,000 hours.