Note: Its been agreed by the current WBA Board that the WBA General Body Elections will be held online before the next conference
WBA BOARD |
POSITION |
LALITA VASWANI |
President |
Vacant |
Vice -President |
CHRISTIAN HELLBERG |
Secretary/Treasurer |
MICHAL SKAKUJ |
Military |
PROFILES
Lalita Vaswani
Master Of Arts
Lalita Vaswani
President World Birdstrike Association
Lalita Vaswani is a dedicated aviation safety and ecological risk management professional, known for her unique ability to bridge the gap between wildlife hazard management and operational airside safety.
Her educational foundation includes certifications in Comprehensive Bird Biology from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Ecosystem Services: A Method for Sustainable Development from the University of Geneva. As an accredited ornithologist, Lalita possesses a deep understanding of avian behaviour, wildlife ecology, and the complex interplay between natural habitats and aviation operations.
A former air crew member, Lalita is also the creator and founder of StrykerAV, an innovative airfield intelligence web application designed to enhance safety, compliance, and wildlife risk mitigation for airports and their stakeholders.
She remains actively engaged with the World Birdstrike Association (WBA), where she serves as President contributing to global initiatives in wildlife hazard management. Through her ongoing collaborations with ICAO and civil aviation authorities worldwide, Lalita continues to champion sustainable, science-based solutions that support both aviation safety and environmental stewardship.
Christian Hellberg, MSc & MBA
Christian holds a degree in forest science and business administration from the universities of Goettingen /Germany and Stellenbosch /South Africa. After University he started a two years clerkship at the Federal Forest administration and then worked for 5 years in the private forest sector. After three years with an international management consultancy, he was responsible at the Federal forest administration for environmental compensation and replacement measures military training facilities. 2017 he started as managing director of the German Birdstrike committee (DAVVL) in Bremen. DAVVL is responsible for 28 international and municipal Airports in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxemburg and gives expertise to 10 Airlines e.g. Lufthansa Group, Airbus, Eurowings.
Michal Skakuj
I am very experienced ornithologist, ecologist and aviation safety expert. I am bird identification specialist in the Polish Rarities Committee. I used to field work from high Arctic to the Persian Gulf, in museum collections in Poland, Russia, USA including DNA sequencing. I have been working with Wildlife Hazard Management (WHM) in civil and military aviation for several years. I have created and conduct WHM Program in Polish Armed Forces. I also work as consultant for aerodromes projects, renewable energy and in project using radars in bird strike avoidance, among others.
I am director of ecology in World Birdstrike Association and vice-chairman of the Polish Wildlife Strike Committee. I conduct WHM courses for many organizations including civil and military Committees for Investigation of National Aviation Accidents, cooperate with Civil Aviation Authorities, NATO experts and nature protection organizations.
I am an author or co-author of more than a 100 publications, presentations, and posters concerning aviation safety, bird identification and ecology. I have also illustrated many, mostly ornithological, articles in different Polish and international magazines, books and leaflets.