With over 35 years of experience at the intersection of aviation, operations research, and systems engineering, Lara Shisler has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking leader and trusted consultant in the aerospace industry. Her career reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing aviation technologies through rigorous research, innovative modeling, and collaborative program management, with deep roots in both government and private sector engagements.
Lara currently serves as an Independent Consultant through Shisler Consulting, building on a long-standing legacy of high-impact roles, most recently as Senior Vice President at Mosaic ATM. During her 18-year tenure at Mosaic, she wore many hats—ranging from VP of Corporate Strategy to Business Unit Lead overseeing a portfolio of 20 projects and a $10 million annual budget. She spearheaded the firm’s achievement of CMMI Maturity Level 3, guiding internal process development and improvement efforts while managing mission-critical FAA and NASA projects. A hallmark of her tenure includes leading development on NASA Research Announcement projects that modeled weather impacts on Traffic Flow Management (TFM), resulting in tools such as the Strategic Arrivals Recommendation Tool (START) and the GDP Parameters Selection Model (GPSM).
Lara’s influence in aviation systems began long before Mosaic. At Metron Aviation, where she rose to Vice President, Lara oversaw software development for FAA decision-support tools like the Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM) and spearheaded initiatives including the Airspace Flow Program (AFP). Her leadership extended to managing large interdisciplinary teams, planning and executing Human-in-the-Loop exercises, and deploying prototypes used to simulate and enhance the National Airspace System (NAS). Lara also made strategic contributions in earlier roles with US Airways and FedEx, where she developed decision-support applications for pilot staffing, scheduling, and operational forecasting.
Her strong academic foundation—a Master of Science in Operations Research and Management Science from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from The College of William and Mary—has underpinned every stage of her career. Lara’s published works, many of which address weather-influenced capacity modeling and ground delay program optimization, have advanced scholarly and operational understanding in the field. Notably, she was a finalist in the prestigious Franz Edelman Competition and has received multiple best paper awards for her work in weather integration.
Lara is equally known for her people-centered leadership style. Her ability to cultivate strong client relationships—especially with organizations like the FAA, NASA, and the DOT Volpe Center—has been central to her effectiveness. She excels at aligning multidisciplinary teams around complex goals, building trust with stakeholders, and delivering data-driven solutions that improve system efficiency and reliability.
Whether directing strategic roadmaps, guiding engineering initiatives, or mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals, Lara Shisler’s impact continues to resonate across the aviation ecosystem. She remains a respected figure in operations research and air traffic systems development and is frequently sought out for her expertise, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence.
Character
Lara Shisler exemplifies integrity, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to excellence, consistently earning the trust of clients, colleagues, and federal partners through decades of collaborative and mission-driven work in the aviation sector.
Knowledge
With a master’s in Operations Research and over 35 years of applied experience, Lara brings deep technical expertise in air traffic systems, weather integration, and operational modeling, backed by a strong portfolio of publications and award-winning research.
Strategic
Lara has a proven ability to lead complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives by aligning long-term vision with organizational goals, optimizing performance through structured process improvement, and delivering innovative tools that directly influence national aviation policy and systems.
Communication
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Lara builds strong client and team relationships through clear, purposeful communication, ensuring alignment across stakeholders while fostering environments of mutual respect and shared achievement.
