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Defying Limits: A Conversation with USAF U-2 Pilot Merryl Tengesdal
Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot COLONEL MERRYL TENGESDAL (Ret.)’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming the first and only Black woman to pilot the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft is a story of perseverance, resilience, and breaking barriers. In this powerful keynote, she shares the mindset that allowed her to succeed in one of the world’s most elite aviation programs—despite the odds. Colonel Tengesdal provides actionable strategies on overcoming self-doubt, embracing discomfort, and pushing past perceived limitations to achieve greatness. Audiences will leave inspired to take bold risks, develop mental toughness, and defy expectations in their own lives.
Thriving Under Pressure: Lessons in Leadership, Grit, & Decision-Making
From executing high-stakes reconnaissance missions at 70,000 feet in a hostile environment to leading in military spaces, COLONEL MERRYL TENGESDAL (Ret.) knows what it takes to perform under pressure. Drawing from her experience as a combat pilot, military leader, and aviation pioneer, she provides compelling insights on how to stay focused, make critical decisions, and lead with confidence—no matter the circumstances. With a mix of personal stories and battle-tested strategies, Colonel Tengesdal empowers audiences to embrace challenges, develop resilience, and lead with excellence in high-pressure environments.
Excellence Through Adversity with Merryl Tengesdal
MERRYL TENGESDAL is no stranger to adversity. Despite the deck being stacked against her Merryl rose through the ranks of the U.S. military eventually becoming the first and only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force’s U-2 “Dragon Lady” high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Now retired, she reflects on her experiences in the military and inspires students, business leaders, and organization to defeat the odds and excel in their endeavors.
Breaking Barriers: Diversity, Grit, & the Power of Being First
As a trailblazer in military aviation, COLONEL MERRYL TENGESDAL (Ret.) understands firsthand the challenges of being the “first” or “only” in a field. In this engaging and empowering keynote, she shares her journey of persistence, adaptability, and leadership, while emphasizing the importance of diversity, mentorship, and creating inclusive environments. Through compelling personal anecdotes and practical takeaways, Colonel Tengesdal inspires individuals and organizations to foster resilience, uplift underrepresented voices, and create pathways for future leaders in any industry.
High-Stakes Leadership: Mental & Physical Strength
Groundbreaking aviator, author, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel MERRYL TENGESDAL brings firsthand insights into leading under extreme pressure. In her presentations, Colonel Tengesdal shares lessons learned from high-risk missions and critical decision-making scenarios to equip audiences with the tools needed to excel in leadership roles.
As a leader in the Air Force, Colonel Tengesdal had to ensure peak personal health in order to meet and overcome the physiological challenges that come with flight. Today, Colonel Tengesdal inspires your audience with actionable advice for rising to meet any challenge, no matter the stakes.
Veteran Pride: The Power of Purpose
Groundbreaking aviator, author, and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel MERRYL TENGESDAL draws from her extraordinary career as the first and only African American woman to pilot the U-2 spy plane to share the complexities and strength of veteran identities. Colonel Tengesdal’s insightful and motivational talk highlights the resilience, leadership, and adaptability that military service instills, inspiring both veterans and those who support them to appreciate and leverage their invaluable contributions to society.
In this talk, Colonel Tengesdal emphasizes how a strong sense of purpose can drive individuals to achieve extraordinary feats, both personally and professionally. Colonel Tengesdal’s compelling stories and actionable insights motivate audiences to find and pursue their purpose, empowering them to make a meaningful impact in their lives and communities.
Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.) receives rave reviews for her inspiring events
Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot COLONEL MERRYL TENGESDAL (Ret.) is a captivating speaker who blends personal experience, humor, and actionable takeaways. She receives consistent rave reviews for her live events across sectors and industries:
Watch Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.) speak on achievement at Air University >>
Watch Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.)’s interview for the National Museum of USAF >>
Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.) shares her inspiring story in Shatter the Sky
In her book, Shatter the Sky, Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot COLONEL MERRYL TENGESDAL (Ret.) invites audiences into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood in the Bronx, to her years deployed in the Middle East, South America, and Asia, to her experience on the hit reality show Tough As Nails. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her life as she lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
Colonel Tengesdal’s story of breaking barriers, thriving under pressure, and redefining what’s possible is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the unstoppable pursuit of excellence—leaving audiences inspired to reach new heights in their own lives.
Information on book buys and signings is available upon request.
Watch Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.) speak at WISE about her non-linear career trajectory > >
Watch Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (Ret.) speak at WISE about getting out of your own way > >
Colonel Merryl Tengesdal (ret.) is the first and only African American woman to fly the United States Air Force’s U-2 “Dragon Lady” high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. As a former Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot, Merryl has flown over 3,400 flight hours including 330 combat hours in six different rotary and fixed wing aircraft. She has been deployed worldwide supporting combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and military operations in South America, the Caribbean, and the Horn of Africa.
Tengesdal has extensive command and senior leadership experience including Deputy Operations Group Commander and Inspector General for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Director of Operations and Commander for the 9th Physiological Support Squadron. As the first female selected to be Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Detachment 2 at Palmdale, CA, she led the oversight of a multi-billion-dollar depot-level maintenance, repair, and developmental testing program for the U-2. She retired in 2017 from the Pentagon in her last assignment as the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General, where she oversaw USAF’s conventional, nuclear and special access inspections program for 860,000 Airmen.
Since her retirement, Tengesdal has become a highly sought-after motivational speaker for industry, non-profit organizations and educational institutions on a wide range of topics including diversity and leadership, applying military leadership lessons to business enterprises and women in leadership. Tengesdal has a keen interest in promoting efforts to increase women and children of color in STEM.
Tengesdal is a Reality Television Star and cast member on season 2 of CBS’s uplifting, reality competition show Tough As Nails and promotes increased minority involvement in the Trades. She has also appeared as a commentator on PBS’s UNLADYLIKE2020: The Bessie Coleman Story (2020) and as a technical consultant to Steven Spielberg on Bridge of Spies (2015).
Tengesdal holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Newhaven, a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University, and is a graduate of the non-resident programs at the Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. She was inducted into the 2019 Gathering of Eagles Foundation as an aviation pioneer.
My Speaker List
