Nicole Malachowski is a pioneering military aviator, combat veteran, and leadership trainer known for her contributions to the armed forces and advocacy for service members. She graduated high school in Las Vegas, Nevada, and earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996. Nicole was one of the first women to fly modern fighter aircraft, accumulating over 2,300 flight hours across six different Air Force aircraft and achieving the rank of Command Pilot. She served as an F-15E Flight Commander and led the first fighter formation to secure Iraq’s democratic elections in 2005. Notably, she became the first woman to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron. Her leadership roles include serving as a White House Fellow from 2008 to 2009, where she was part of the Presidential Transition Support Team. She held two significant staff assignments at the Pentagon and was the Executive Director of the White House’s “Joining Forces” initiative, advising former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on military family issues. Nicole has received numerous accolades, including induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. In 2019, she was honoured with the IMPACT Award from the White House Fellows Foundation. After facing a neurological tick-borne illness that temporarily affected her mobility and speech, Nicole became an advocate for better care for wounded service members and for Tick-Borne Disease research. She serves on several national committees, including the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. Since her medical retirement in 2017, Nicole has transitioned to a career as a speaker, author, and consultant, sharing her experiences to inspire future leaders. She is also on the Board of Directors at the LivLyme Foundation and continues to provide insights on leadership and resilience, making a lasting impact in both military and civilian spheres.
