Refilwe has over 20 years of experience in the aviation and aerospace industry, where she has held various operational, strategic, board, regulatory, and administrative roles. She has worked as a helicopter pilot, an airline pilot for a local carrier, a corporate pilot, and a flight instructor for several organisations and companies. In addition to her flying qualifications, Refilwe holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Biochemistry and an MBA.

She is deeply passionate about education and believes in its transformative power to shape lives and empower individuals. With an extensive background in the aviation and aerospace industry, she has developed a distinctive approach to instructional design that skillfully combines her technical expertise with innovative creative methodologies. This unique combination enables her to create immersive and comprehensive educational aviation and aerospace courses, experiences, and programmes. She has successfully designed short courses for various academic institutions and programmes for an organization she founded, Girls Fly Africa. Outside of her professional commitments, Refilwe has a deep passion for nature and photography. She often spends her weekends searching for hidden trails and serene spots where she can connect with nature.