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Michelle “MACE” Curran - <p data-start="271" data-end="387">Former USAF Thunderbird pilot helping teams turn fear into action.</p>

Michelle “MACE” Curran

Former USAF Thunderbird pilot helping teams turn fear into action.

5.00 of 5

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5 of 5

I feel more confident and am intentionally using fear as my superpower as I show up. In my executive meetings, I’ve noticed my inner critic, separated its voice from reality, and reframed doubts with empowering statements. I’m pausing before speaking to respond with confidence and expertise, letting my ideas shine instead of being held back by fear.

Policy Circle

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Why you should book Michelle “MACE” Curran for your next event

  • Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Lead Solo Pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds, performing for hundreds of millions worldwide.
  • Delivers actionable tools to help teams move through fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty with clarity and decisive execution.
  • Trusted by Microsoft, Boeing, John Deere, SpaceX, and PwC to strengthen performance in high-stakes environments.

Non-binding request for Michelle “MACE” Curran

From Fighter Pilot to Fearless Action in High-Stakes Moments

Michelle “MACE” Curran knows what it takes to perform when the pressure is at its peak. After 13 years as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, she became only the second woman in history to serve as Lead Solo Pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds, flying solo in front of hundreds of millions of spectators across the globe. Today, she brings that same intensity and precision to the stage, helping organizations win the space between fear and action. With more than 100 keynote engagements for global brands such as Microsoft, Boeing, John Deere, SpaceX, and PwC, MACE equips leaders and teams to turn uncertainty into forward momentum.

 

Michelle “MACE” Curran – From Cockpit to Keynote Stage

Michelle “MACE” Curran built her career in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. During her 13 years as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, she operated in high-performance settings where hesitation was not an option. Her selection as the Lead Solo Pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds marked a historic milestone, she became only the second woman ever to hold that position.

Flying solo demonstrations required extraordinary precision, trust in training, and the ability to manage fear in real time. Performing for hundreds of millions of spectators worldwide, MACE learned firsthand that courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision to act despite it. That lesson now forms the backbone of her keynote presentations.

 

Winning the Space Between Fear and Action

Organizations today face constant change, growth targets, and high-stakes decisions. Fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty often show up right when the pressure is highest. Michelle “MACE” Curran helps teams recognize that these emotions are not barriers, they are signals.

Her keynotes focus on practical strategies to:

  • Navigate uncertainty with clarity and composure

  • Strengthen execution in high-pressure moments

  • Transform fear into a catalyst for performance

  • Build individual accountability within teams

  • Maintain forward momentum during change

MACE translates the lessons from fighter aviation into relatable, real-world tools that resonate across industries. The result is a shift in perspective: fear becomes fuel, and action becomes intentional.

 

Book Michelle “MACE” Curran for Your Event

With more than 100 keynote engagements delivered globally, Michelle “MACE” Curran is a trusted partner for organizations committed to elevating performance. She has worked with companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, John Deere, SpaceX, and PwC equipping leaders and teams to operate decisively in complex environments.

Her stage presence reflects her background: focused, confident, and authentic. Audiences connect with her honesty about self-doubt and the realities of high-performance roles. She does not present theory alone; she shares lived experience from the cockpit and the lessons forged under pressure.

Booking Michelle “MACE” Curran for your event means giving your audience more than inspiration. It means providing them with a framework to act when it matters most.

 

Bestselling Author and Recognized Thought Leader

Beyond the stage, MACE is a bestselling author. Her book, The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower, debuted in the top 20 on the USA Today Bestseller list. In it, she expands on the mindset shifts that helped her succeed in elite aviation and now empower professionals across industries.

She has also authored multiple children’s books, extending her message of courage and perspective to the next generation.

Her insights have been featured by major media outlets including CBS Mornings, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Fast Company. As a LinkedIn Top Voice, she reaches millions each month through her social media platforms, sharing practical leadership lessons and reflections on performance, growth, and resilience.

 

A Message That Drives Momentum

Michelle “MACE” Curran delivers more than a story about breaking barriers in aviation. She offers a blueprint for navigating fear in boardrooms, project launches, organizational transformations, and everyday leadership challenges.

Her journey, from fighter pilot to Thunderbird Lead Solo Pilot to international keynote speaker, demonstrates what becomes possible when individuals choose action over hesitation. For organizations seeking sharper execution, stronger resilience, and a culture that moves forward under pressure, MACE brings clarity, credibility, and impact.

Book Michelle “MACE” Curran to help your team step into the space between fear and action and win.

Michelle “MACE” Curran - <p data-start="271" data-end="387">Former USAF Thunderbird pilot helping teams turn fear into action.</p>

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

I feel more confident and am intentionally using fear as my superpower as I show up. In my executive meetings, I’ve noticed my inner critic, separated its voice from reality, and reframed doubts with empowering statements. I’m pausing before speaking to respond with confidence and expertise, letting my ideas shine instead of being held back by fear.

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

If you want to be inspired, If you want to be challenged, If you want to feel something, learn something, be blown away but at the same time relate, attend this session. You must!

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

Are you looking for an amazing speaker? One that will speak on Teamwork, Inspiration, and what it's like to fail and get back up. Without a doubt in the 40+ years that we've been doing this I've never seen anyone come up afterwards and say it was the best ever except this time. Michelle connects to her audience on a personal level and if we didn't cut off the questions afterwards, she'd still be there.

President, Greater Bergen Realtors

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

Michelle had us laughing, some of us even cried. We broke down invisible walls as she moved us towards a better version of ourselves. Each of us walked away motivated and ready to take on more life. Ready to take action, now.

CEO, Pacific GeoSource

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

Michelle was the consummate professional, yet she felt very relatable and authentic. We were in awe of the dedication and perseverance that it took for a small-town girl to realize her big-time dreams! Truly inspiring!

Organizational Excellence, AbbVie

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

I’ve been in my role for nearly 10 years and thinking about moving into a leadership position for the last few. I often wonder if I am good enough or smart enough for this shift. Your message hit home and has encouraged me to take that leap of faith.

Leadership NeXt, Boeing

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

Your talk was incredibly inspirational and resonated deeply with so many of our team members.

Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Microsoft

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

That is exactly what my team needed to hear! You are so inspiring. The quote of the day was, "If MACE can do that, I can go make that sales call I've been avoiding."

Senior VP, Royal Bank of Canada

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

I want to thank you again for your presence and remarks. I&#39;ve been hearing accolades all day... things like, "best speaker ever!" You were magnificent.

Headmaster, Davidson Day School

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

I have gotten so many emails or people stopping me to thank me for bringing you to campus, they LOVED it... amazingly well received, I am so happy about that since you were a departure from the speakers we usually have.

Microsoft CELA Team

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

The very honest, poignant, and personal stories you shared provided important and meaningful perspective and inspiration for all of us.

Headmaster, St. Mark's School of Texas

Michelle “MACE” Curran

5 of 5

Your messages around trust, inclusion, imposter syndrome, allowing failure to happen and be ok, really resonate with our workforce.

Leader, Microsoft

Michelle “MACE” Curran

Rated 5.00/5 based on 12 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote by Michelle “MACE” Curran:

Flying Through Fear

Creating a Culture of Courage We are constantly under pressure to hire the right people, create a cohesive team, and perform at a high level... to do more with less. However, success hinges on each team member ’ s ability to be bold and expand their  comfort zone.  In her keynote, MACE takes her audience on a surprising and compelling journey through her career as a Fighter Pilot, culminating in her role as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. She helps her audience recognize that even those that may seem unflappable have overcome the same doubts and obstacles, suddenly making success seem within reach.

Attendees Will:

  • Reassess their comfort zone
  • Learn to use vulnerability as a superpower to accelerate toward goals
  • Realize the normalcy of self-doubt and identify how to combat it
  • Recognize how to step into their boldness and let go of fears
Request a quote: Michelle “MACE” Curran Flying Through Fear

Workshop by Michelle “MACE” Curran:

Going to War with Your Inner Critic

No matter how confident and independent we appear to be, we all face pressure to fit in, be liked, and meet the expectations of others. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and stands in the way of our success. By diving into the inner workings of our self-critic, we can reframe it. Shedding light on it takes away its power and gives us much-needed perspective.

Despite MACE's success, she struggled with the same inner critic that we all do. Over time, she was able to harness this inner voice and use it to propel her toward success. She now uses these techniques to inspire attendees and help them generate positive change in their inner voice.

Attendees Will:

  • Identify key attributes of their inner voice that have prevented them from taking action
  • Understand their inner critic does not necessarily align with the truth
  • Develop a new perspective on how to control the power their inner critic wields
  • Have a plan to tackle at least one of their goals by a deadline
  • Form accountability tools with the support of a wingman
Request a quote : Michelle “MACE” Curran Going to War with Your Inner Critic

Keynote by Michelle "MACE" Curran :

The Space Between

(Coming Fall 2026)

Winning the Moment Between Fear and Action

We’re living and working in a time of constant pressure, tight timelines, rapid change, and a relentless need to perform. In environments like these, fear shows up for everyone. Not always as panic, but as hesitation and second-guessing that quietly stalls momentum.

In this keynote, MACE takes audiences inside some of the most intense moments of her career as a Fighter Pilot and Thunderbird to reveal a powerful truth: organizations win or lose in the space between fear and action. Through unforgettable storytelling and practical tools, she shows teams how to respond instead of react and move forward with clarity and decisive action when it matters most.

Attendees Will:

  • Differentiate imagined fear from real fear and understand how each shapes decision-making
  • Learn how to respond instead of react under pressure
  • Gain simple, practical tools to stay composed and think clearly in high-stakes moments
  • Build habits that strengthen trust, intuition, and execution
Request a quote: Michelle “MACE” Curran The Space Between

Workshop by Michelle "MACE" Curran:

Everyone Has a Callsign

Fighter pilot callsigns tend to sound at least kind of cool. However, they don’t get to choose them. They are given based on a mistake that was made as a young pilot. From that point on, they are worn on their nametags as a badge of honor.

The tradition of callsigns is based on humility, in celebrating the obstacles overcome to earn that name and to shape a productive view of failure. They help create a culture where mistakes are viewed as opportunities to learn and improve and where people feel safe to fess up when they misstep.

In this workshop, MACE takes participants into the world of a fighter squadron, where admitting errors and using them as learning opportunities is the norm.

Attendees Will:

  • Reflect on lessons from a previous mistake/failure
  • Find silver linings in things that didn’t go as planned
  • Identify how to reframe their view of failure
  • Be empowered to face future mistakes with a new perspective and growth mindset
  • Have fun and walk away with their own callsign
Request a quote: Michelle “MACE” Curran Everyone Has a Callsign

Michelle "MACE" Curran 2026 Demo Reel

Watch Michelle "MACE" Curran in action!

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Phone: +1 347 223 5128

Email: [email protected]