Meet Rossana D’Antonio

We were lucky to catch up with Rossana D’Antonio recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rossana, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Thanks for the opportunity to chat with you. I love the idea of a bold journey because aren’t we all on bold journeys? For over three decades, I’ve devoted my career to public service—first as a civil engineer, then as a leader in infrastructure and community development. My mission has always been clear: to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through responsible planning, design, and construction.

But purpose can evolve. Mine did the day my brother was killed in a plane crash.

That moment changed everything. It transformed my professional conviction into a personal crusade. I am now a passionate advocate for aviation safety. I speak not just as an engineer, but as a sister, a citizen, and a voice for those who can no longer speak.

Every life lost in a plane crash is more than a statistic. It’s a story—a family shattered, a future stolen. That story could be yours. It was mine.

My mission now is to help drive meaningful reform in an industry that has long been shielded from scrutiny. I believe in transparency, accountability, and above all, humanity. Because behind every data point is a name, a face, a life worth protecting.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an engineer, a speaker, an advocate—and now, a published author. But titles alone don’t tell the story.

Several years ago, my life took a profound turn. My brother, an airline pilot, was tragically killed in a plane crash. In the aftermath, I feared he would be scapegoated, as so often happens to pilots in the wake of aviation disasters. Determined to uncover the truth, I embarked on an exhaustive investigation into what happened that day.

What I found was devastating: the crash was both predictable and preventable.

But my brother’s story is not an isolated one. Through my research, I uncovered troubling patterns—an industry under strain, marked by a rise in plane crashes, near misses, and even aircraft parts falling from the sky. These are not random anomalies. They are warning signs.

This journey led me to write 26 Seconds: Grief and Blame in the Aftermath of Losing My Brother in a Plane Crash, published by She Writes Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster in May 2025. It’s more than a book—it’s a call to action.

Today, I use every tool at my disposal—my engineering expertise, my voice, my writing, and my lived experience—to advocate for aviation safety and infrastructure reform. Because behind every incident is a human story. And every story deserves to be heard.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

That’s a great question. If I had to name the cornerstone of my journey, it would be perseverance.

From a young age, I’ve been driven—an overachiever by nature, always setting ambitious goals and pushing myself to reach them. But as many of your readers know, success rarely comes without setbacks. I’ve faced my share of disappointments, yet I never let failure define me. My father taught me that lesson early on, while helping me learn to ride a bike: when you fall, you get back up. And I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since.

When I reach a goal, I take a moment to honor the effort, to savor the success. But I don’t linger long. I’m soon setting my sights on the next challenge—one that stretches me even further. Looking back, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I know it’s because I’ve never settled for the status quo.

Another quality that’s fueled my growth is my commitment to lifelong learning. I’ve always believed that an educated society is an enlightened one. In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, standing still means falling behind. Staying curious, staying informed—that’s how we stay relevant.

And finally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without strong communication skills. Words matter. I learned that early on, and I’ve developed a deep sensitivity to language—choosing the right words to craft messages that resonate. Whether I’m leading a team, writing a book, speaking to an audience, or advocating for change, effective communication has been my bridge to impact.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents came to the United States from opposite corners of the world—my mother from El Salvador, my father from Italy. Like so many immigrants, they arrived with hope in their hearts and a belief in the promise of the American dream.

But what they gave me went far beyond opportunity. They instilled values that continue to guide me to this day. They taught me to dream boldly and live with purpose—not with the expectation of solving world peace or curing cancer, but with the understanding that even a single act of kindness can change someone’s world. And in doing so, change the world itself. That belief has stayed with me.

In a time when humanity can feel fractured, those lessons remain my compass. They remind me that compassion is powerful, that impact begins with intention, and that striving to be better—every day—is a legacy worth living.

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