Michelle "MACE" Curran grew up in a small town in Northern Wisconsin and, believe it or not, was a super shy kid. From my humble beginnings, the importance of hardwork and encouragement to chase my dreams was bestowed upon me at a young age.

Always a thrill seeker, the desire to seek out something greater drove me to leave my small town and join the military. This structured and challenging environment allowed me to thrive, and I rapidly focused in on becoming a fighter pilot as my ultimate goal. Years of work focused on this singular goal culminated in the night I found out I would be going to fly F-16s.

From Asia, to Europe, to the Middle East it was one unforgettable experience after another. The challenges were tough, but the rewards were greater. The pinnacle of my career, and what led me here today, was the last 3 years of my career as a Solo Pilot for the Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds.

I served as only the second woman ever to fly in the Lead Solo position, since the team began in 1953. The honor of serving in this position empowered me to do whatever I could to inspire others.

When asked about the best part of the job people are often surprised when my answer does not involve the flying. While challenging and exciting, it was nothing compared to the feeling of knowing you are inspiring someone to chase their dreams.

As my time on the Thunderbirds came to a close, I sought out ways to still leave this impact on others, and here we are! I have many stories to tell and weave into them lessons of grit, perseverance, determination, and teamwork.

Inspiring Your Team