Admiral Michelle Howard is a trailblazing leader whose 35-year U.S. Navy career is marked by a series of historic firsts. She was the first woman to become a four-star admiral and the first African-American woman to command a Navy ship and reach both three- and four-star ranks in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. She also served as the Navy’s first female vice-chief of naval operations.
Howard commanded operations across the globe, including Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and tsunami relief in Indonesia. In 2009, she led the task force that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates—a mission later depicted in the film Captain Phillips.
Her final post was as Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples, overseeing missions from the Western Balkans to Iraq. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, she was the first woman from the Naval Academy to attain the rank of admiral.
Following her military service, she became a visiting professor at George Washington University, focusing on cybersecurity and policy. She now serves on the IBM Board, where CEO Ginni Rometty praised her international perspective and deep experience in IT and security.
A dynamic and engaging speaker, Admiral Howard brings warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom to her keynotes on leadership, innovation, cybersecurity, diversity, and team building. Her story of breaking barriers continues to inspire audiences everywhere.
Historic Firsts
First female four-star admiral in U.S. Navy history
First woman vice-chief of naval operations ever appointed
First African-American woman commanding a U.S. Navy ship
First Black woman to achieve three- and four-star rank
First woman Naval Academy graduate promoted to admiral rank
Military Leadership & Operations
Led U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa with excellence
Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples operations
Directed successful counter-piracy rescue of Captain Richard Phillips
Led multinational task forces in war and disaster zones
Career spanned Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Indonesian tsunami relief
Academic & Thought Leadership
Visiting professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School
Specialized in cyber strategy, security, and global policy
Shared insights on operations, readiness, strategic military planning
Connected military experience to academic and civil sectors
Focused on leadership, innovation, and technology policy integration
Boards & Corporate Leadership
Appointed to IBM Board of Directors for cybersecurity expertise
Recognized by IBM CEO for leadership and global perspective
Brings strategic defense experience to business technology sectors
Influences corporate governance with military-honed leadership principles
Trusted advisor on global security and information technology policy
Speaking & Public Engagement
Keynote speaker known for humor, heart, and inspiration
Discusses leadership, cybersecurity, diversity, and team innovation
Connects deeply with audiences across sectors and cultures
Translates battlefield leadership into everyday organizational excellence
Promotes inclusion through stories of courage and perseverance
Honors, Awards & Recognition
Recipient of multiple Distinguished Service and Defense Superior Service Medals
Honored by NAACP and Women’s Leadership organizations nationwide
Listed in various “Most Powerful Women” military rankings
Navy named buildings and programs in her recognition
Widely celebrated as a trailblazing, decorated national defense icon=
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We are the talent liaisons that curate, ideate, and connect you to the right artists to transform special events into experiences of a lifetime. Our roots are those of musicologists and culture hawks, deeply embedded in the living performing arts. This is the foundation of our work, the soul of our business, and what we've been doing for over 25 years. We have the capacity and capability to bring any artist from anywhere in the world to your event.
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