CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF SHAPING THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS MY SPEAKER LIST () 646.227.4900

Nicole Malachowski

  • First Woman Thunderbird Pilot
  • Combat Veteran and Fighter Squadron Commander
  • 21-year US Air Force career
  • White House Fellow, Former White House Advisor, and Indomitable Spirit

ELEVATING TEAM PERFORMANCE: Nothing of significance is ever accomplished alone. The Thunderbirds is an elite team of 100+ people. Nicole explains how they built cohesion and collaboration where each person upheld their end of the bargain.

LEADING CHANGEIn aviation, turbulence is a metaphor for change. If turbulence strikes when flying in close formation, human instinct is to grip the stick tight and over-control. The opposite is true, Nicole explains; loosen your grip and trust your skills.

CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUSTWe build trust by being trustworthy. Nicole shares how she earned trust by being the subject matter expert, showing up 100% reliable, and holding herself to the highest standards of excellence.

RESILIENCE PERSONIFIED: A misdiagnosed tick bite ended her military career, leaving her with life-long chronic illness. Nicole's story of reinvention inspires audiences to face adversity and emerge stronger than before.

NOBODY WANTS TO LEAD A SCRIPTED LIFENicole didn’t set out to be a pioneer, she just wanted to be a Thunderbird…since the age of five. Her journey to realizing her dream is inspiring.  

VIEW NICOLE’S FULL SPEECH CONTENT GUIDE HERE

 
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Past Hosts Include:
  • Twilio
  • A&E Television Networks
  • GE Aviation
  • Savannah Economic Development Authority
  • Automotive News
  • Mechanical Service Contractors of America
  • Genentech
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Treasury Management Association of New York (TMANY)
  • SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Nicole! We cannot thank YOU enough for bringing your inspiring, moving, profound, vulnerable, INCREDIBLE story to our team. If your ears have been ringing it is 120 people saying you were the absolute highlight of the whole offsite. And many told me you were the best speaker they have ever heard (and these people hear a lot of speakers!)
More rave reviews

"Nicole received amazing feedback and inspired the whole crowd. People were talking about her session all day! She was professional to work with in the pre-planning and lovely onsite greeting our team as well."

-Twilio

"Can’t thank you enough for Nicole. Amazing, recommendation. She was absolutely terrific. She touched us all and we’re absolutely in awe/speechless. Inspiring, motivating and just a really nice person. So lucky to have had the opportunity to hear from her."

-A&E Television Networks

"In short, Nicole was FANTASTIC! Lots of comments on LinkedIn, texts, emails and physically distanced “hallway conversations” on how much they valued Nicole’s presentation, her perspective, background, practical advice, and level engagement (even though virtual). I would also add that she was fantastic to work with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Nicole!"

-GE Aviation

"Book her now! I have worked with many speakers throughout my career and by far Nicole is the best. Easy to work with, engaged and humble. She did her homework and tied in our mission to her remarks and hit the nail on the head on how our audience of over 800 people can work together as a team. She was funny, passionate and drove home her points. We had attendees lined up for 45 minutes afterward to speak to her personally and she was gracious in speaking to every one of them."

-Savannah Economic Development Authority

"Thank you so much for the amazing speech you gave at our event in Vegas! I wanted to wait to reach out because I’ve been getting comments from our post-conference survey and you’re by far the highlight of the conference! Everyone left inspired by you and have continued to express how your message resonated and left them inspired! “From a planner standpoint, you were amazing to work with and I would highly recommend you to any group. You were thoughtful and professional from our first call and I was so impressed that you had researched about our company prior to our conversation. I was even more impressed when you continued to incorporate our company values and culture guide into your presentation. Thank you for creating a presentation for our meeting based off our first call. That was going above and beyond!!! You’re going to be a dynamic speaker for years to come and I am fortunate to have worked with you so soon!!"

-Events and Meetings Manager | Extra Space Storage

"You had a big impact on our team, for which I am grateful. The one thing that stood out to me is your advice to “loosen your grip” when turbulence hits. My natural reaction is just the opposite. But with our great team, I think your advice is spot on and I am going to focus on loosening my grip when the next rough patch hits. Thanks for making me a better leader."

-Chief Executive Officer | Extra Storage Space

"Automotive News had the pleasure of having Colonel Nicole Malachowski serve as the closing keynote speaker at our 2018 Leading Women Conference on October 30th. She was outstanding and delivered an authentic, actionable message that hit home for every executive — male or female — who is trying to set clear goals, break barriers and improve their career path. Her thought-provoking message was delivered with passion and authority. She left our audience of leading women with a clear path to achieve greatness, create change and make better, brave decisions."

-Automotive News

"…your presentation was amazing! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and was so inspired by your story. I can truly say you were the highlight of the conference."

-Mechanical Service Contractors of America

"During our time together Nicole Malachowski and I traveled across the country to visit and speak with our regional personnel. She shared her unique background, her experience, challenges she faced, and lessons learned over two decades of serving our country. At every stop the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Her unique ability to connect with each and every member of the crowd was impressive. Each individual believed she was talking directly to them and all attendees left walking a little taller. If you are looking for someone to motivate and inspire your audience you cannot do better than Nicole Malachowski. And I’ll bet you might walk a little taller, too."

-U.S. General Services Administration

"… it was the best, most inspiring, heartfelt and meaningful speech I heard all year. Even though I have never flown a jet, given birth to children, or had to deal with a tick-borne illness, you effortlessly translated your words and stories on resilience and dedication into the challenges we face every day. Keep telling your story, it was a pleasure to hear."

-BPG|360

"Days later I am still thinking about you and the unforgettable talk you gave to close our leadership conference. To say it was the highlight of an already exceptional conference would simply be an understatement. You touched so many people with not only your story, but the very essence of who you are as human being. You are a unique mixture of charm, vulnerability, humble strength and resilience…many of us in the audience, including myself, aspire to be more like you. You left us all with the gifts of inspiration and motivation…exactly what we needed to end a conference that was focused on driving performance and connections."

-Event Planner, PM Hotel Group

"Nicole, thanks again for joining us in Wilmington! My team couldn’t have been more pleased to work with you. Your message of perseverance, determination, and overcoming roadblocks was incredibly moving and inspiring. Our group of hoteliers and developers embraced your courage, and your path resonated with the myriad of challenges we face in our industry. I was especially impressed when you joined us the day before, sat through our meetings, got to know various people, and mentioned them during your talk! I have to say that never before have I had our group rise and give a standing ovation to a guest speaker and then be asked to return to the stage for ongoing applause!"

-PM Hotel Group

"You are a spectacular speaker and I have never been to a meeting with our entire team mesmerized by anyone like they were with you. Your story is unbelievable and you are able to deliver it in such a natural and powerful way that had me in awe for days after. I haven’t been so motivated or inspired by anyone in a long time."

-Best Western® Hotels & Resorts

"A very special thank you for your incredible keynote at our team meeting this week. You touched my team with your brilliant and meaningful storytelling and have inspired them with your leadership and very practical tips on how to manage headwinds. You captivated their hearts and minds—and it was exactly the kind of closing I wanted to end our week of planning sessions. I know you are going to have an amazing career as a speaker as my team like me was thinking of how and where we need to have your message in our programs and will be recommending you to their network of colleagues and friends in the industry."

-Best Western® Hotels & Resorts

"An indomitable spirit whose life journey adds such warmth and depth to her powerful message. She is relatable to women and men with a fascinating narrative of overcoming trials and tribulations all while being an unwitting trailblazer in aviation, in leadership, in social awareness and in medical care."

-Northrop Grumman

"I was at the Strayer retreat this past week, and wanted to express how much your presentation meant to me. I’m sure you get this a lot, but your stage presence is amazing but your message is life-changing. You may not know how many people in each of your audiences are affected, but I can assure you that your message spoke to me in a time of need and I just wanted to share my appreciation. I so appreciate your story and how you are so blessed to connect with others."

-Strayer University Attendee

"Colonel Nicole Malachowski recently spoke to the senior leaders in my company and did an outstanding job. In fact, I cannot recall another speaker where there was such high universal praise. She is inspiring, authentic, energizing, and a true American hero. More than a week later, there is still abuzz in the organization and I have zero doubt her remarks will leave a lasting impression on our team to embrace headwinds and navigate change more successfully."

-Strayer University

"I have had the pleasure and burden of hosting speakers for major corporate and client meetings (40-7000 attendees) for the last twenty years. I refer to this part of my work as a burden only because when you chose a speaker who doesn’t hit the mark, it can have a significant impact on the experience, efficacy and ratings of an event. But when you chose well, it’s magic. I’m writing to you today to let you know that you, Nicole Malachowski, are magic! You are easily in my “top-5 of all-time”! In addition to be an excellent public speaker in manner, tone and approach, your presentation was stunningly inspiring, moving and motivational. And it wasn’t just a feel good session. Every person in the room left with business and life-tools to use and share. But most of all, each and every one of us left the room with a more grateful heart. For me, this is the home run of home runs as we attempt to bring some light to the lives of our employees and clients. Thank you for being the amazing woman and role model you are, for your service to our great country and for sharing part of yourself with us. I, too, wish you blue skies and tail winds."

-First Allied and Cetera Advisors

"Rarely have I found an entire room of business colleagues all so incredibly inspired and engaged by one speaker! Nicole’s story has the power of relating to all businesses as well as the individual journeys we are all on. Nicole’s compassion, determination and kind spirit shine through in every aspect of her presentation. The outpouring of support, after two standing ovations and many tears, made it clear her message resonated with everyone in attendance. We look forward to Nicole joining us for future conferences and highly recommend her for anyone looking for a truly exceptional experience!"

-Cetera Financial Group

"Nicole was exceptionally well received. She—truly—did a magnificent job. Connected with the audience, inspiring, thought-provoking, funny, real, open. Our colleagues couldn’t stop talking about it. Was the highlight of our event."

-UnitedHealth Group

"Col. Nicole Malachowski took our financial professionals by storm - three weeks later, people are still talking about her. She has a unique gift of being able to relate her very interesting and exciting professional and personal life experiences to a diverse audience in a completely different profession. Her genuine conversational style made each attendee feel she was talking directly to them."

-Treasury Management Association of New York (TMANY)

"Most of us will never lead a squadron of F-15E fighter pilots, fly right wing for the USAF Thunderbirds or have our careers transformed as a result of a tick bite. But your storytelling took us there for a brief moment and the lessons they represent—failure and risk are the price of entry for achieving something great; plow your own path; nobody wants to lead a scripted life; etc.—resonate in a way that can change lives, personal and professional. You are one of the most engaging and effective speakers I have come across—a humble force that touches people emotionally. Without question, you presented exactly the message we wanted to share with our elite performers."

-SunTrust Banks, Inc.

"We were already excited to hear Nicole speak because of her impressive bio, but her presentation still blew us away. She has a compelling personal as well as professional story to tell. And she does it with a passion and vulnerability that create a strong connection with her audience. Five minutes into her presentation, you could tell that she had our group hooked. Nicole creates a three-dimensional experience for her listeners – we had the sense that we were with her in the cockpit of her fighter jet as she recounted experiences of flying with the Air Force’s Thunderbird team. Her presentation resonated so deeply with our audience that people are still talking about her presentation a week later and employees who could not attend are asking to see the video of her presentation. Nicole is professional, organized, timely, and an all-around pleasure to work with. She was thoughtful in researching our organization and event so she could craft her discussion to fit our audience."

-Invesco Advisers, Inc
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Talks & Conversations with Nicole Malachowski
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Harnessing Headwinds: Successfully Navigating Change & Adversity

Leaders across every industry and experience level share one thing in common: to be successful, they need to effectively navigate failure, organizational change, and the unknown. Like headwinds to a pilot, these perceived barriers can force you to change direction, cost you momentum, and even take away options. These headwinds can feel confusing, disorienting, and downright uncomfortable. However, with the right mindset, anyone can learn to harness the energy of these headwinds in their personal favor, and to the favor of their teams and organizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Overcome personal and professional failures.
  • Effectively navigate organizational and cultural change.
  • Get comfortable with risk, change, volatility, and pressure.
  • Build the resilience to recover, adapt, and keep moving forward,

Audience: Leaders at all levels of an organization looking for inspiration, self-reflection, and actionable tools to harness their headwinds in a way that works to the advantage of the individual, their communities, and their organizations.

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Pushing the Envelope: Being the Best When It Counts

Leaders across every industry and experience level share one thing in common: to be successful they need to effectively navigate moments of self-doubt, master the role of a trustworthy team player, and embrace moments
of personal and professional vulnerability. Pushing your own personal "performance envelope," at work and in life,
will empower you to bring your best every day, to accomplish as much as possible with your unique skillset,
and to consistently perform to a standard of excellence as individual leaders and as elite teams. Leaders at all levels, particularly those in fast-moving, high-complexity environments where speed and trust must coexist, will
find practical tools here

Key Takeaways:

  • Overcome self-doubt that often inhibits personal and professional growth
  • Model the selfless trust needed to be an effective teammate.
  • Practice vulnerability and transparency to build trust and galvanize teamwork.

Audience: Leaders at all levels of an organization looking for inspiration, self-reflection, and actionable tools to
maximize their capabilities and impact as individuals, teams, and organizations.

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Breaking Barriers: Conquering Self-Doubt and Cultural Paradigms

Everyone faces barriers, both personal and professional, that may appear to place limits on what's possible. When people pursue only what is expected, accept cultural norms that hold them back, and view barriers as unsurmountable, their personal and professional lives become limited. Scripted. The Breaking Barriers mindset allows you to see your obstacles and challenges as opportunities to grow and as a chance to reach new levels of personal and professional excellence.

Key Takeaways: 
•    Define your own possibilities and overcome self-doubt.
•    Reevaluate traditions, paradigms, and overcome limitations.
•    Welcome challenges to the status quo.

Audience: Leaders at all levels of an organization looking for room to grow beyond cultural paradigms, the status quo, and others' expectations.

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Fireside Chat & Moderated Q&A: Lively. Entertaining. Unfiltered. Insightful.

Not every audience needs a keynote. Sometimes, what they need most is a real conversation. In this moderated format (fireside chat, leadership Q&A, or audience-driven discussion), Nicole brings the full depth of her experiences into the room in a way that feels immediate, dynamic, and highly relevant. No two conversations are ever the same.

This format allows you to go deeper – to explore the moments behind the headlines: the decisions, the failures, the reinvention, and the human dynamics that drive elite performance. It creates space for authenticity, candor, and connection in a way a traditional speech often can't.

Whether alongside a senior leader or engaging directly with your audience, Nicole adapts in real time, meeting the moment, addressing what matters most, and delivering insights that are both meaningful and actionable.

Biography
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