Her father had established the program years earlier.
It provided practical assistance to young people who wanted careers in aviation but lacked the money or connections needed to enter specialized training.
Maya cared deeply about it.
She'd met students who worked night shifts while studying for technical qualifications.
Young women who'd been told aircraft engineering wasn't for them.
And teenagers from neighborhoods where few people had ever worked at an airport.
The fundraising gala took place in a luxurious hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Maya wore a magnificent metallic-gold couture gown designed by a Black American fashion house. The fitted dress featured thousands of shimmering sequins, a sculptural off-the-shoulder neckline, and delicate gold-beaded strands around her upper arms.
She looked extraordinary.
But the gown had a purpose beyond elegance.
It was created for a charity auction partnership, and the designer had agreed to contribute a portion of proceeds from related work to the scholarship program.
Maya wanted the young designers and aviation students attending the event to see Black excellence celebrated in different fields.
The evening was a success.
Several donors increased their commitments.
Scholarship recipients spoke movingly about their ambitions.
And Maya gave a short speech about the importance of creating opportunities for people whose potential was greater than their circumstances.
She ended by quoting her father.
"An airline should never forget the people who make it fly."
The audience applauded.
For a moment, Maya felt close to him again.
Then her phone began ringing.
It was Daniel Anderson.
And the conversation brought the celebration to an abrupt end.
The independent investigators had completed a preliminary report.
Their findings were more serious than Maya anticipated.
The review identified evidence that certain senior managers interfered with the handling of customer complaints and employee reports. Several records were altered after initial submission, and investigators found communications suggesting pressure to produce conclusions favorable to management.
The findings didn't establish that Adrian personally approved every alteration.
But they raised substantial questions about his involvement and oversight.
Daniel also explained that the CEO's office had attempted to limit access to certain communications after the review began.
The company's lawyers had already preserved relevant materials through authorized procedures, so the attempt didn't prevent examination.
But it made the board's concerns more urgent.
Several independent directors requested an emergency meeting.
The next afternoon, they would consider whether Adrian should remain in his role while the investigation and corrective actions continued.
Maya listened carefully.
Then asked whether the board had sufficient evidence to make a decision.
Daniel explained that the investigators would present their findings and that Adrian would have an opportunity to respond through the agreed process.