Queen Elizabeth II
Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash Edward Segal at Forbes.com asked me to comment on what we might learn about leadership transition as Queen Elizabeth died today. The following is what I submitted and here is the link to what he quoted. Queen Elizabeth II is a leader to be revered. Today, we pause […]
Open Doors
Years ago, in the middle of my navy career there were some doors that needed to be pried open. Soon after the first Gulf War ended in 1991, the political debate began about what combat roles women aviators could and should hold. Up until this point, women had flown in the Gulf War, but only […]
Turbulence
Five things no one needs to remind us of the turbulent reality of today’s world. From the ongoing war in the Ukraine with the stability of Europe in question, to protests on our streets after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, to upcoming elections, to rising inflation, to… The list goes on. Several months ago, […]
Horizons
This is the scene I have been waking to these past two weeks. It is a view from our family cottage on Torch Lake in Michigan. Every summer as a kid I would awaken to the lapping of waves against this shore and the brightening pink, then orange, then fireball red sunrise peeking above the […]
Legacies
Last week I returned to Pax River Naval Air Station to witness Captain Lisa Sullivan’s Navy retirement. I thought I would post something right after the ceremony, but honestly, I found I needed time to savor the event I experienced. As I walked into the aircraft hangar, I felt suddenly at home. Old memories washed […]
Lighthouses
Later this week I am returning to Pax River to attend a Navy retirement ceremony for Captain Lisa Sullivan. This will be a very special event for me. I first met Lisa after I graduated from Test Pilot School. She was a high school student considering going to the Naval Academy, and she wondered what […]
NO is a complete sentence
NO is a complete sentence. I remember when I got to flight school and my class date was delayed for a short three weeks. Disappointed? Yes. But it was only three weeks. I was assigned a temporary job during the interim and that is where I learned an important leadership lesson. A single marine captain […]
You Gotta Start Somewhere
I’m starting today. After releasing my book, Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life’s Turbulence and Learning to Fly High, I have been caught up in a whirlwind of activities – speaking engagements, webinars, and glorious book signings where I have been reconnecting with old friends and connecting with new ones. Coupled with some challenges on the home front […]
Twosday
Today is an auspicious day for me – 2.22.22 because today my book officially releases!! One thing I always want to know is why an author writes a book so today I’ll share an excerpt with you: Why I tell my story I know what it’s like to walk into a room where I seemingly […]
Kick Off
Kick Off! You know the feeling of awaiting start of the football game. Fans are jostling with anticipation, the seats are humming … the coin has been tossed, the players line up and then … kick off!!! The game begins. Yesterday we kicked off our second semester at Vanderbilt. Amidst the anxiousness of Omicron and […]