To support your planning for upcoming Veterans Day events this November, we’re highlighting six keynote speakers who turn battlefield experience into lessons that empower teams, drive performance, and inspire leadership. If you have yet to secure your keynote speaker for Veterans Day, discover the speakers below who inspire us with their courage, commitment, and leadership.

Thomas Kolditz 
Tom Kolditz is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, leadership scholar, and author with more than 30 years of experience leading organizations. He draws on military and academic expertise to help teams build trust, navigate uncertainty, and lead effectively through crisis, turbulence, and extreme conditions. His new book, Against the Storm, provides practical tools for leading through uncertainty and crisis.

Colonel Nicole Malachowski
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and the first woman selected to fly with the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, Nicole Malachowski brings elite performance, barrier-breaking, and resilience to the stage. Her experience as a combat aviator, squadron leader, White House Fellow, and Joining Forces executive director inspires teams to lead with courage and navigate change with strength.

Anthony “AB” Bourke
Anthony “AB” Bourke is a highly experienced F-16 fighter pilot who flew calculated missions internationally to serve America. Not only does Bourke have over 3,000 hours of flight time, but he’s also spoken to Fortune 1000 companies and other audiences for 15 years as a top motivational keynote speaker.

Vernice “Flygirl” Armour 
The first African-American female combat pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps, Vernice Armour inspires audiences to break barriers and embrace bold action. Her keynotes focus on resilience, innovation and leading with purpose, helping teams tackle challenges with clarity and confidence.

Carey Lohrenz
One of the early female fighter pilots qualified to fly the F-14 Tomcat in the U.S. Navy, Carey Lohrenz shares leadership lessons from high-pressure cockpits. She helps teams make rapid decisions, build trust and perform when the margin for error is zero.

Mike Abrashoff
Former U.S. Navy Commander of the destroyer USS Benfold and New York Times bestselling author of It’s Your  Ship, Mike Abrashoff took a struggling ship and, within a year, transformed it into the best‑performing ship in the Pacific Fleet using the same crew. His keynote emphasizes leadership, culture, empowerment and accountability.

Give your Veterans Day event a powerful perspective with a military speaker who can honor service and inspire your audience. Email info@bigspeak.com to inquire.