Kim "KC" Campbell

USAF fighter pilot Kim “KC” Campbell empowers leaders to thrive in uncertainty and drive high-performance cultures.

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We knew from the start that Kim was going to be a perfect conclusion to our biggest event, and we were right! Laughter, tears, and an absolutely rapt audience. People are still quoting Kim around the organization.

Nancy Montgomery

Conference & Event Strategy, American AgCredit

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Why book Kim "KC" Campbell for your next event

As a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, Kim “KC” Campbell brings unparalleled credibility when speaking about leading through fear, adversity, and high-stakes environments. Her harrowing combat story, landing a severely damaged jet under fire, translates into powerful, actionable lessons on decision-making under pressure, risk navigation, and courage in leadership.
With over 24 years in the United States Air Force, including command of over 1,000 personnel across Central and South America, Kim knows how to build and lead high-performing teams in dynamic, diverse, and distributed environments. Her keynotes empower corporate leaders with proven techniques for driving engagement, fostering accountability, and creating mission-focused cultures.
Kim’s experience flying over 100 combat missions equips her with a rare depth of understanding in handling uncertainty, remaining focused under fire, and making split-second decisions. Audiences walk away with tangible tools for resilience, composure, and agile thinking, directly applicable to today's fast-paced, high-pressure business environments.

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Leading Through Fear: Courageous Decisions in High-Stakes Moments

Combat-proven fighter pilot and retired Air Force Colonel, Kim “KC” Campbell delivers unforgettable keynotes on courageous leadership, resilience, and trust under pressure. With over 100 combat missions and a Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, she shares gripping, real-world lessons to help leaders navigate high-stakes decisions, drive cultural change, and inspire peak performance. Authentic, bold, and inspiring, her story empowers audiences to lead with clarity and confidence in even the most turbulent environments.

Keynote Speaker Kim "KC" Campbell is a decorated fighter pilot, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and sought-after expert in courageous leadership, resilience, and decision-making under pressure. With over 24 years of military service and more than 100 combat missions, she is best known for her heroic actions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she safely landed her severely damaged A-10 Warthog after being struck by enemy fire, earning her the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism.

Drawing from her extraordinary experience in life-and-death situations, Kim delivers powerful keynotes that resonate deeply with corporate leaders and teams navigating high-stakes environments. Her presentations combine real-world combat lessons with actionable leadership strategies, empowering organizations to foster trust, lead with confidence, and perform under pressure.

As a former Director at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development, Kim brings unmatched insight into shaping cultures of integrity and accountability. Her authentic, engaging style and transformative content make her a standout on stage.

Book Kim "KC" Campbell for your event to inspire bold leadership, high-impact decision-making, and resilience in times of uncertainty. Whether you’re preparing leaders for change or looking to elevate team performance, Keynote Speaker Kim "KC" Campbell delivers a message your audience won’t forget.

Customer Reviews

Nancy Montgomery Conference & Event Strategy, American AgCredit

Kim was amazing. In ten years of hosting the conference and nine years of being the Programs Chair, I have never received this amount of praise about a speaker before. Kim hammered a home run out of the park! --

Chris Mowery Programs Chair, Dallas Institute of Internal Auditors

Kim was an absolutely dynamic speaker with engaging content. She was incredibly easy to work with. We received nothing but positive feedback from our attendees and couldn't have asked for a better keynote speaker to motivate and inspire our team.

Whitney Zastrow Manager, Strategic Communications, Eaton

Thank you for the inspirational and spellbinding presentation you honored us with at our Annual Conference. Best guest ever by far. Words do not do justice to your stellar storytelling! The impact on me and our entire team was extraordinary and I am sure it will have a long lasting impact.

Joe Lubeck CEO, American Landmark

Keynotes

Keynote by Kim "KC" Campbell:

Flying in the Face of Fear: Courageous Leadership & Teamwork to Elevate Performance

In this gripping keynote, Kim “KC” Campbell draws from an extraordinary combat experience to reveal how courage has the power to transform both leaders and teams, whether you’re navigating everyday challenges or high-stakes situations. She will take you inside the cockpit of her fighter jet during a harrowing mission when her aircraft was struck by enemy fire. Through this life-changing, and admittedly terrifying, experience, Kim shares why courageous leadership and teamwork are essential for elevating performance.

Leveraging her extensive experience as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim unveils powerful insights into the mindset and culture that enable fighter pilots to sustain peak performance and make decisive choices under pressure. She shares the value of creating a “wingman culture”, where trust, collaboration, and mutual support are essential to fostering high-performance teams. Packed with actionable strategies from the cockpit, this keynote invites you to explore a unique perspective on leading with courage, equipping you to inspire bold action and elevate performance.

Audience takeaways:

Stay Calm Under Pressure: Focus, prioritize, and take action when faced with challenges or adversity.
Be Decisive and Adaptable: Prepare, practice, and plan for uncertainty to make confident, informed decisions.
Embrace Humility, Approachability, Credibility: Learn how these essential qualities strengthen leadership and foster effective teamwork.
Create a Wingman Culture: Build a team rooted in trust, collaboration, and mutual support to drive high performance.

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Keynote by Kim "KC" Campbell:

Fighter Pilot Mindset: A Flight Plan for Mission Success

Drawing from over 20 years of experience as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim “KC” Campbell will show you how to apply the same resilience, accountability, and focus on continuous improvement that fighter pilots use to achieve mission success. Kim will take you on a journey through real-life lessons from the cockpit, offering a clear “flight plan” to excel in high-stakes environments, overcome obstacles, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability within your team.

Get ready to hear compelling stories from the cockpit of both triumphs and setbacks that will shift your perspective and prepare you to take on any challenge. Kim’s engaging storytelling will leave you inspired and equipped with practical strategies that you can apply in your personal and professional life. You’ll walk away with actionable tools to prepare for adversity, execute with precision, and debrief for growth, empowering your team to turn failures into opportunities, leverage competitive strengths, and stay agile in today’s complex, dynamic business environment.

Audience takeaways:

Adopt a Fighter Pilot Mindset: Embrace accountability, learn from mistakes, and commit to excellence.
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate: Stay calm under pressure, prioritize effectively, and make confident decisions.
The Six-Step Flight Plan: Prepare, practice, plan, execute, evaluate, and elevate to enhance performance and achieve mission success.
Debrief for Growth: Leverage wins and failures to foster a culture of continuous improvement

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