Kim Campbell
Real-world lessons in courageous leadership and teamwork from a combat-proven fighter pilot and senior military leader. Inspire bold action, build trust, and elevate performance in the face of challenge, change, and adversity.
Kim "KC" Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown over 100 combat missions and made split-second life-and-death decisions with potential strategic implications. Most widely recognized for her combat experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kim received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism when the fighter jet she was flying while supporting ground troops was hit with a surface-to-air missile. Despite catastrophic damage to the aircraft, Kim managed to safely recover the jet and return to base, a daring feat only accomplished successfully once before.
As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim's Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 personnel in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy, shaping the next generation of leaders.
Today, Kim brings her experience to the stage and captivates audiences with her remarkable story of courage and resilience. Known for her authentic and engaging style, whether sharing intense combat moments or unexpected stories about her family, she deeply connects with audiences and inspires them to lead with courage, build trust, and elevate performance.
Kim is the author of the bestselling book Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage and has been featured on CBS Evening News, ABC News, CNN, and other major media outlets. In 2024, she received the inaugural Leadership Achievement Award from the United States Air Force Academy. She resides in Colorado with her husband and two sons.
Kim "KC" Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown over 100 combat missions and made split-second life-and-death decisions with potential strategic implications. Most widely recognized for her combat experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kim received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism when the fighter jet she was flying while supporting ground troops was hit with a surface-to-air missile. Despite catastrophic damage to the aircraft, Kim managed to safely recover the jet and return to base, a daring feat only accomplished successfully once before.
As a senior military leader, Kim has led hundreds of airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She has experience leading complex organizations and driving cultural change. Kim's Air Force assignments include leadership roles as a Group Commander, responsible for over 1,000 personnel in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Most recently, Kim served as the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy, shaping the next generation of leaders.
Today, Kim brings her experience to the stage and captivates audiences with her remarkable story of courage and resilience. Known for her authentic and engaging style, whether sharing intense combat moments or unexpected stories about her family, she deeply connects with audiences and inspires them to lead with courage, build trust, and elevate performance.
Kim is the author of the bestselling book Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage and has been featured on CBS Evening News, ABC News, CNN, and other major media outlets. In 2024, she received the inaugural Leadership Achievement Award from the United States Air Force Academy. She resides in Colorado with her husband and two sons.
Flying in the Face of Fear: Courageous Leadership & Teamwork to Elevate Performance
In this gripping keynote, Kim “KC” Campbell draws from an extraordinary combat experience to reveal how courage has the power to transform both leaders and teams—whether you’re navigating everyday challenges or high-stakes situations. She will take you inside the cockpit of her fighter jet during a harrowing mission when her aircraft was struck by enemy fire. Through this life-changing—and admittedly terrifying—experience, Kim shares why courageous leadership and teamwork are essential for...
Fighter Pilot Mindset: A Flight Plan for Mission Success
Drawing from over 20 years of experience as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim “KC” Campbell will show you how to apply the same resilience, accountability, and focus on continuous improvement that fighter pilots use to achieve mission success. Kim will take you on a journey through real-life lessons from the cockpit—offering a clear “flight plan” to excel in high-stakes environments, overcome obstacles, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability within your...
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