Michelle Howard dedicated 35 years of her life to serving in the US Navy, leading teams in several high-pressure situations. As the first woman to be promoted to the rank of four-star admiral, Michelle has been a trailblazer in several respects, inspiring women all around the world to lead with confidence.
Michelle graduated from the Naval Academy – the first woman to graduate and assume the post of admiral. Soon after, Michelle took charge of the USS Rushmore and became the first African American woman to become Captain of a U.S. Naval Ship. From early on in her career, Michelle has displayed a strong sense of leadership, which has catapulted her career to great heights. In 2014, she assumed responsibilities as the Vice Chair of Naval Operations.
Taking charge of significantly challenging situations such as fighting for Iraqi freedom and rescuing Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates, Michelle has become the highest-ranking African-American female in the U.S Armed Forces and Navy. She has commandeered teams including the Naval Forces in Europe and Africa, as well as the NATO’s Allied Force Command Naples. Each expedition she has been in charge of has seen the heights of success, which is unsurprising given her expertise in strategy and policy.
Formerly a Visiting Professor at George Washington University, Michelle has also been a Member of the Board at IBM. Publications such as Forbes have written about her prominence as a leader and strategist several times over the years. Given her nearly 36-year-long career at the forefront of the US Navy, Michelle Howard’s insights are often called upon by leading organisations around the world. Now available to hire as a keynote speaker, she is known to speak on subjects like leadership, cybersecurity, team building, innovation, and diversity. Hire Michelle Howard today!
How to hire Michelle Howard
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Michelle Howard for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
- 2021 – Chair of the Commission on the Naming Commission
- 2018 – J.B. & Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University
- 2017 - Recognised at the Distinguished Leadership Awards by the Atlantic Council
- 2016 – Commander of the US Naval Forces & Allied Joint Forces
- 2014 – Appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations
- 2014 – First woman to be promoted to the rank of 4-star admiral
- 2009 – Was Instrumental in rescuing Captain Richard Phillips from Captivation by the Somali Pirates
- Member of the US Institute of Peace’s Senior Military Advisory Group
- Member of the Women Building Peace Council
