Michelle Curran

Michelle Curran is a former United States Air Force (USAF) Major and Pilot, best known for being part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, otherwise known as the Thunderbirds. As the lead solo pilot, Michelle has developed remarkable leadership skills and is admired for her ability to reach peak performance. As the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, Michelle is respected throughout the aviation industry and has now become a highly sought-after speaker for a variety of events to share her specialist knowledge and experience with audiences internationally.

Starting her professional career in the US Air Force in 2009, Michelle earned a commission through the AFROTC. Spending her first two years of service completing her pilot training with the 14th Operations Group, she quickly advanced to become an F-16 Fighting Falcon Student with the 308th Fighter Squadron. Recognised for her driven mindset, Michelle gained three years of experience as an F-16 Instructor in the 355th Fighter Squadron and was officially named the first woman to fly as part of the 335th FS.

Passionate to fulfil a remarkable piloting career, Michelle joined Thunderbirds in 2019. Serving as the Opposing Solo Pilot in her first year, she showcased her abilities and was shortly after selected to become the Lead Solo Pilot, where she was on the outer-left wing of the Delta formation of the F-16s. A talented individual, Michelle gained the opportunity to participate in the Blue Angels, the demonstration squadron for the United States Navy, during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Admired for becoming the only female pilot in the squadron whilst she served, and the fifth pilot in the squadron overall, her remarkable high performance rates and resilience in the field are vastly valued by professionals worldwide.  

With a remarkable career in the aviation industry, Michelle decided to take a step back from piloting in 2021 to share her inspiring knowledge and industry experience with audiences at speaking engagements. With over 1,500 total flight hours logged with the USAF, she has been part of the most high-pressure operations imaginable and is now ready to share how she performed under pressure and remained resilient after a difficult experience in the US Air Force. When looking to hire an empowering high performance speaker, look no further than Michelle Curran.

In February 2023 we sat down virtually with Michelle Curran and discussed her advice on building high-performance teams and overcoming challenges. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Michelle Curran.