A double first for TIACA with Roos Bakker set to become new chair

UPDATED 15.5.25 to include Dora Kay.

TIACA, the air cargo association, has propelled itself into modernisation with the appointment of its first woman in 20 years, and first under-40, chair. 

Roos Bakker, formerly of Schiphol Cargo, has been on the TIACA board since February 2022 and was voted-in last month as chair, to replace Steven Polmans whose term expires in November. 

Two vice chairs will be voted on next week, with three people thought to be in the running, including current vice chair Emir Pineda, trade & logistics manager for the marketing at the Miami-Dade aviation department. 

Ms Bakker, who was at Schiphol for nearly 18 years, has since January been director business development and sales for aviation security company CTSN Group, which operates in some 120 airports worldwide and which is now a TIACA trustee. 

Ms Bakker told The Loadstar she was keen to use some of this experience to help boost cargo security, including in screening for lithium ion, which her company is training rats to detect. 

“Every decision will be made with the board, but I do want to start some big projects and create deeper collaboration across the supply chain. It won’t only be about sustainability, but also we want to do more on innovation and safety.

“I’d also like to see more women in the industry – but that’s not a project, as such.” 

The role of chair is unpaid and takes up 12 hours a week. The term has normally been three years, but Mr Polmans has held the role for six years. 

Ms Bakker’s appointment will be officially announced in June at the executive summit in Hong Kong. But she told The Loadstar: “Under the guidance of the board, and in my new role, TIACA is poised to reach more heights, fostering innovation, safety, security, and collaboration across the supply chain.

“TIACA has my full dedication, and I really look forward to working with the team on our future, to support industry initiatives to drive progress and excellence in air cargo.” 

The first woman to be elected chair was Dora Kay, from Airport Authority Hong Kong, who was chair from 2003 to 2004.