Nancy Vermeulen
Nancy Vermeulen translates aerospace experience into powerful insights on human-centered, future-ready leadership and decision-making.
Why book Nancy Vermeulen for your next event
- Nancy Vermeulen brings real-life experience from aviation, space science and Mars simulations into leadership lessons that resonate deeply with executives and teams.
- Her keynotes connect strategy, human behavior and performance under pressure, inspired by extreme and complex environments where mistakes are not an option.
- Nancy Vermeulen delivers inspiring, grounded talks that challenge leaders to think bigger, act with clarity and lead with responsibility for people and planet.
Non-binding request for Nancy Vermeulen
Strategic Leadership Advisor, Space Ambassador & Aerospace Keynote Speaker
Nancy Vermeulen is a visionary strategic leadership advisor and keynote speaker who bridges the world of aerospace and business. Drawing on her background as a commercial pilot-instructor, physicist, analog astronaut and Mars simulation commander, she helps leaders and organizations navigate complexity with clarity, courage and humanity. Her work is inspired by environments where trust, communication and decision-making are vital for survival. Today, Nancy Vermeulen is known for translating lessons from space and aviation into practical leadership insights. Her mission is to bring the universe closer to people and people closer to themselves, each other and their environment, enabling future-oriented leadership rooted in responsibility and connection.
Nancy Vermeulen: Leadership Inspired by Space and Aviation
Nancy Vermeulen is a strategic leadership advisor, international keynote speaker and space ambassador who helps leaders perform at their best in complex and uncertain environments. Her approach is shaped by years of experience in aerospace, science and aviation, where preparation, trust and human behavior determine success or failure.
She guides individuals, teams and organizations toward strong, human-centered and future-ready leadership, inspired by the mindset required in extreme conditions such as space missions and high-risk aviation operations.
From Childhood Dream to Aerospace Expertise
From a young age, Nancy Vermeulen knew she wanted to become an astronaut. She worked at the observatory and planetarium of Antwerp and went on to study Physics and Astronomy at the University of Antwerp, graduating magna cum laude. She holds a Master of Science in Physics, with a specialization in theoretical physics and astronomy.
Her scientific career includes research at the University of Antwerp in biomedical physics and at Delft University of Technology, where she focused on new technologies for greener air traffic. She also contributed to the development of an instrument to measure climate change from space for the Royal Belgian Meteorological Institute and the Solar-Terrestrial Centre of Excellence. Alongside her research, she lectured in physics and mathematics.
Pilot, Commander and Candidate Astronaut
To prepare for a future in space, Nancy Vermeulen first learned to fly within Earth’s atmosphere. She trained as an airline pilot at the Flight Academy of the former Royal Belgian Airline Sabena. As one of the few female commercial pilots of her time, she flew large Boeing 727 and Airbus 300 aircraft.
Her career included high-responsibility and high-risk missions, such as flying an Airbus 300 cargo aircraft to Baghdad during wartime. For this mission, she received a special military operations award from the U.S. government. Later, she became responsible for VIP passenger flights and trained professional commercial pilots as a pilot-instructor.
In 2008, Nancy Vermeulen participated in the European Space Agency’s astronaut selection process, where only one in ten candidates was female. To prepare, she completed intensive physical and mental training, including scuba diving, high-altitude training and aerobatics flying.
Commander of a Mars Simulation Mission
Nancy Vermeulen served as commander and chief organizer of the MDRS90 Mars simulation mission in Utah, USA. She developed the project herself, presented it to NASA’s Mars Society and obtained approval to lead a team at the Mars Desert Research Station.
During the mission, she led scientific experiments, coordinated team dynamics and handled emergency scenarios in an isolated, high-pressure environment. This experience forms a core part of her leadership philosophy: clear communication, psychological safety and shared purpose are essential when operating far beyond comfort zones.
Strategic Leadership Advisor and Speaker
Today, Nancy Vermeulen applies her aerospace experience to the business world. As a strategic leadership advisor, she works with leaders who want to navigate uncertainty, make better decisions under pressure and lead with responsibility in a rapidly changing world.
She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and guest lecturer and has spoken at TEDx events, Deloitte University and the European Commission, among others. Her talks combine inspiring storytelling with concrete leadership insights, always grounded in real experience rather than theory alone.
In 2018, she founded the Space Training Academy, where she prepares private astronauts and suborbital scientists for their first spaceflight. This role keeps her closely connected to cutting-edge developments in space exploration and human performance.
Author, Board Member and Space Ambassador
Nancy Vermeulen is the author of Iedereen Ruimtevaarder (2021) and AEROSPACE Attitudes (2025), a book focused on communication and personal leadership inspired by aerospace environments. She is also active as an independent board member and a member of Rotary.
After personally meeting Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic, she became even more committed to sharing her knowledge beyond the scientific community. As a space ambassador, Nancy Vermeulen believes space is a gateway to knowledge, innovation and social evolution.
Book Nancy Vermeulen for Your Event
Book Nancy Vermeulen for your event if you are looking for a speaker who challenges perspectives, connects strategy with humanity and inspires leaders to become the captain of their own life. Her message is clear: when seen from space, differences fade, responsibility grows and collaboration becomes essential.
Nancy Vermeulen invites audiences to look up, think bigger and lead with purpose for their organizations, for society and for the future we share.
Keynotes
Keynote by Nancy Vermeulen:
AEROSPACE ATTITUDES - BECOME THE PILOT OF YOUR OWN LIFE
What if the principles that make the difference in a cockpit or during a space mission — focus, teamwork, psychological safety, and the ability to perform under pressure — could transform the way we lead, collaborate, and grow?
In this keynote, pilot-instructor and Space Ambassador Nancy Vermeulen takes you into the world of aviation and space exploration — a world where human factors matter as much as advanced technology, where attitude determines success, and where teamwork can be lifesaving.
The insights from Aerospace Attitudes are cross-sector and apply to corporate environments, healthcare, government, and education alike. They are universal human skills that improve communication, strengthen decision-making, and drive sustainable growth.
"AEROSPACE" stands for:
A – Adaptability
E – Emotional Intelligence
R – Risk Management
O – Ongoing Education
S – Safety Culture
P – Problem-Solving Skills
A – Attention to Detail
C – Communication Skills
E – Ethical Leadership
Through powerful stories from the cockpit, astronaut training and extreme environments, Nancy demonstrates how every professional — from top executives to young talents — can become the pilot of their own mission.
In this keynote, your audience will learn how to:
- Maintain clarity and agility in fast-changing environments
- Build trust, communication, and safety within teams
- Turn mistakes into learning fuel
- Lead with authenticity, empathy, and accountability
Get inspired by a leadership mindset that looks beyond the horizon.
Keynote by Nancy Vermeulen:
THE SKY IS NOT YOUR LIMIT!
Nancy Vermeulen inspires many with her immense perseverance and talent. During this event, she motivates you to do what you are good at and shows you that tomorrow’s world is already in progress today.
Be inspired by Nancy’s compelling life story.
As a female pilot she flew large commercial aircraft, amongst others, during the second Gulf war in Iraq.
Nancy’s passion for air and space travel brought her into personal contact with one of the largest pioneers of the commercial space travel industry, Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson.
As commander during her Mars simulation mission in the Utah desert (USA) and in particular with her vision of the future, Nancy invites you to literally travel with her through this wonderful "expanded world" in this event.
In her enthusiastic presentation, she talks about the difficult path she travelled to achieve her goals; she is therefore a powerful source of inspiration for everyone who wishes to achieve their goals!
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Companies
- Associations
- Schools
The length and level of the presentation will be adapted to the audience.
Keynote by Nancy Vermeulen:
WE ARE ALL ASTRONAUTS: THE FUTURE OF EARTH LIES IN SPACE
In this keynote, Nancy Vermeulen will broaden your perspective on the world, space, and the economy. What can we learn from manned journeys to other planets? What obstacles must be overcome? What does the future of space exploration look like, and what will be its impact on our world?
Discover the future of space exploration
What developments can we expect in the coming years? Is the future on the moon, or perhaps on Mars? Can we live on another planet? What obstacles do we still need to overcome?
Gain insight into the imminent space economy
We are inevitably evolving toward a space economy. Our actions will no longer stop at the border of our planet. Mining materials on other planets, growing food on the moon, manufacturing materials in a weightless environment – will all of this soon be possible? One thing is certain: space exploration will profoundly transform our economy.
Learn to see space as a source of new products
The rescue blanket that we all know from first aid was originally developed for space exploration – to protect the space capsule from heat. Insulation materials, solar panels, GPS, memory foam, and shock-absorbing shoes were all developed with space applications in mind. What other innovations can arise in this way?
Get a different perspective on contemporary challenges
From space, we have a much clearer overview of the global challenges that we must face. Global warming, the evolution of fish stocks, the melting of polar ice caps, the expansion of desert areas and natural disasters – all of these can be much better monitored from space. During this keynote, you will discover that space exploration serves more than just political and economic interests.
Gain psychological insight into your team's functioning
Lastly, there is the psychological aspect. There are many parallels between business and space exploration. In both cases, the greatest challenge lies in the human psyche and coping with a changes. Nancy Vermeulen and her team spent 14 days in the desolate Utah desert, simulating an expedition to Mars, to learn how teams can function and communicate under extreme conditions. These methods and training techniques are directly applicable to the business world.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Companies
- Associations
- Schools
The length and level of the presentation will be adapted to the audience.
Keynote by Nancy Vermeulen:
THE FUTURE IS YOURS
Navigate your way to success in an ever-changing world
During her captivating presentation, Nancy Vermeulen will take you on a journey into the world of tomorrow - a future that is already well underway today.
This is the moment when today's visionaries become the leaders of tomorrow.
In "The Future is Yours," Nancy calls upon you and your audience to think outside of the box when addressing complex issues.
Valuable insights from aerospace and space exploration
During the most advanced technological journeys into space, it’s repeatedly shown that humans themselves are the critical factor. That’s why leading space agencies such as NASA and ESA are investing significant resources to understand and control these human factors.
In the aviation industry, the technical investment in quality and safety has been enormous during the past decades and the limit has been reached. To further improve safety and quality, intensive emphasis is now being placed on human aspects. In doing so, the goal is nothing short of achieving the best results and utmost excellence. It's no longer sufficient to choose pilots solely based on their technical expertise and knowledge. Their interpersonal skills now play a pivotal role.
Companies and organizations worldwide are currently facing complex challenges. The rapid rise of technology and artificial intelligence will completely reshape the competitive playing field. The looming threat of resource conflicts is intensifying due to increasing scarcity. As a result, our geopolitical world responds by venturing into space, and this response reverberates back to Earth. We are on the brink of a groundbreaking economic revolution, with an emerging space economy taking the lead role.
In a scenario very reminiscent of previous maritime and aviation revolutions, this shift promises to profoundly change our economy and business world. In this new era, companies will have to adapt to stay relevant.
Human factors as a key to sustainable growth and business success
Within the aerospace industry lies a true treasure trove of knowledge and experience that can serve as an inspiration for any type of business. During her presentation, Nancy unveils a wealth of insights in the realms of communication, leadership, information processing, assertiveness, empathy, and the delicate art of teamwork.
Investing in these human factors offers numerous advantages for companies accross various sectors. Not only can they further optimize safety issues, but they can also ensure well-founded profit models and quality. The ultimate goal is to pave the way for sustainable long-term growth, a course that extends beyond short-term quarterly profits.
Nancy doesn't simply rely on theoretical models. She draws on her own experiences and discoveries within the aerospace industry to help your business reach new heights. Take this opportunity to learn how to apply aerospace principles to launch your business to unprecedented success.
Diversity as a superpower: Practical tools for sustainable business growth
Based on her own personal experiences, she provides business leaders with practical tools. These tools are designed to fully harness our human potential and embrace our diversity as a powerful tool for cross-company collaboration and sustainable growth. Discover how to harness the unique qualities of individuals for optimal team results, all inspired by aerospace, where every member of the crew is indispensable for mission success.
The Sky is NOT your limit! | Nancy Vermeulen | TEDxAntwerp
Watch Nancy Vermeulen in action!
Why all of us have a part to play in space | Nancy Vermeulen | TEDxUHasselt
Watch Nancy Vermeulen in action!
