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Combat pilot & leadership strategist

Vernice Armour

Transform leadership and combat obstacles with Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour, speaker and America's first Black female combat pilot. Vernice works with organizations to build resilience, embrace diversity, and create high-performing cultures, delivering breakthrough strategies featured in major media outlets worldwide.

Trusted by Evanta

Vernice Armour, Speaker | Combat Pilot, Ex-Marine
Vernice Armour

Vernice Armour

Atlanta, United States

Typical fee range

$51k–75k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Atlanta, United States

Starting from

$51k–75k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Vernice Armour's biography

At a glance

  • America's first black female combat pilot
  • Served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine
  • Author of Zero to Breakthrough and founder of VAI Consulting
Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour is an exceptional trailblazer with an impressive track record. She is America's first black female combat pilot and has proudly served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. In addition to her military achievements, she has worked as a Diversity Liaison Officer at the Pentagon for Marine Corps Headquarters. As a highly sought-after speaker, FlyGirl empowers individuals and organisations to cultivate inner strength and reach their goals. She has authored the book Zero to Breakthrough, which outlines a 7-step method for accomplishing meaningful objectives. Furthermore, FlyGirl is the visionary behind VAI Consulting & Training, LLC, where she guides individuals and organisations in making bold moves and attaining breakthrough results. FlyGirl is a regular speaker at prestigious events and conferences worldwide, and she is honoured to serve as a mentor for senior executive women in the tech industry. Her remarkable story has been featured in various media outlets, and she is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move. During her speeches, FlyGirl covers many topics, including leadership, teamwork, resilience, diversity, and creating high-performing cultures. She inspires her audiences, empowering them to overcome obstacles, embrace change, and unlock their full potential.

Topics, sessions and talks

Get Gutsy: Harness A Breakthrough Mindset
How you react to personal and professional obstacles, adversity, and disappointment is a choice. It also determines your future. Black, female, gay, and a child of divorce, Vernice “flygirl” Armour learned this early in her pioneering journey from motorcycle cop to the Marines to becoming America’s first Black female combat pilot. FlyGirl’s energy rocks the house as she recounts for audiences her challenges, adventures, and ultimate triumph. Her authenticity, enthusiasm, and positivity inspire people to Get Gutsy and finally reimagine what’s possible. — 7-step process to shatter limiting beliefs and unleash breakthroughs — Replace a self-defeating “Zero Mentality” with a winning “Breakthrough Mentality” — How to avoid burnout and keep moving forward — Delay is not Denial, and to Retreat does not mean Defeat
One Mission – One Goal – One Team
Gutsy Leaders create Gutsy Teams that make Gutsy Moves. They’re proactive – not reactive; and create the future by summoning the courage to adapt and align. Drawing on her trailblazing career as a U.S. Marine combat helicopter pilot, Vernice “flygirl” Armour unloads valuable lessons learned under the most stressful of circumstances – about leadership, teamwork, resilience, communication, execution, and building a culture of unshakable trust. FlyGirl’s storytelling lights up people’s imaginations – showing them new ways to achieve more than they ever thought possible. — How to build trust: Get everyone to step up, engage, and collaborate — Get personal: Learn each person’s skills, talents & hidden passions — Ways to unleash your diversity to strengthen the bottom line — Disrupt traditional metrics of success (measure more than money)
Who Needs A Runway? Take Off From Where You Are
Helicopter pilots spring into action from where they are. They don’t need a runway. It’s their edge in battle. Marine chopper pilot Vernice “flygirl” Armour believes this metaphor is perfect for uncertain times where speed and agility are survival skills. FlyGirl fires up audiences with her energy and storytelling – relating hard-learned lessons with tactics for quickly adapting to the forces of change. This presentation is perfect for audiences navigating uncertainty or looking to accomplish audacious goals. FlyGirl will spark their courage and enthusiasm. — Recognize and take decisive action to capitalize on defining moments — No situation is ever perfect – gain momentum from where you are — The three-step plan: Decide, Commit, and Execute…at speed — Recognize and harness the talents of everyone around you
Creating An Equitable Culture: Embracing Diversity And Productive Conversations
It’s time! This Is about coming together – working to create an equitable culture for employees, stakeholders, and customers. A place where ALL can feel like they belong and are part of the team. It starts by establishing rules of engagement for civil, productive conversations that find solutions – not fault. Vernice “flygirl” Armour was a diversity officer for U.S. Marine Corps HQ; its liaison to the Pentagon. As a gay Black woman she brought valuable personal experience to her work. She learned: When you bring people together, their differences can result in tension…this IS NORMAL! How you MANAGE that diversity is the key! — Create a culture that values and respects all team members — Why it’s time to turn THE Conversation into a NEW Conversation — Ways to face uncomfortable issues without playing ostrich — How to prevent a counter-productive herd mentality

Why we recommend booking Vernice

Vernice offers your team inspiration from a trailblazer in resilience and leadership. Her proven 7-step method and real-world experience in overcoming obstacles will empower your organization to embrace change, foster diversity, and achieve breakthrough results, unlocking the full potential of every member.

Testimonials

Vernice was a homerun!! She delivered a terrific presentation, high energy and engaging. The chat was blowing up during her presentation. She was really easy to work with, too!!

The level of passion and customization of your message targeting their specific challenges and leadership level, were a pleasant surprise for many.

Senior Program Manager, Evanta

Captain Armour's audience was truly inspired by her courage and tenacity. She is exciting to be around and really represents a woman that young women can aspire to be. Our law students were empowered by Captain Armour. She is a dynamic presence.

Professor of Law & Producer, Massachusetts School of Law at Andover

Featured Projects

Vernice Armour - Zero To Breakthrough book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Vernice Armour for my next event?
Email vernice.armour@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Vernice's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Vernice Armour's speaking style like?
Vernice Armour draws on her career as a US Marine combat helicopter pilot to deliver first-person storytelling, framing personal and professional challenges through direct parallels to combat scenarios. She structures her presentations around a 7-step framework from her book Zero to Breakthrough, guiding audiences from a self-defeating "Zero Mentality" to a "Breakthrough Mentality" with a three-step action model: Decide, Commit, and Execute.
What topics does Vernice Armour specialise in?
Vernice 'FlyGirl' Armour speaks on breakthrough mindset, leadership and team cohesion, and adapting to change and uncertainty. She is America's first Black female combat pilot, having served two tours of duty in Iraq as a US Marine.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

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Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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