Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 shares her insights on leadership, resilience, resurgence, perseverance, advocacy, and how she continues to serve her country, even after her military career.

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A SHOW NOTE:  There are two ways to learn from Col. Malachowski's leadership journey.

 - If you're short on time, the audio version delivers the highlights of her stories in 40 minutes. Her leadership bites, takeaways, keys to leadership and transcript are below.

 - The video version is 1:46:00 and is well worth the investment of your time. This version includes stories and details about the Colonel's journey she hasn't shared before. Click the "Play" button in the video above and settle in for a most enlightening conversation. 

 

SUMMARY

Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 is a trailblazer who has broken barriers in both military aviation and advocacy. She was one of the first women to fly combat fighter aircraft, accruing more than 2,300 flight hours in six different aircraft and serving in multiple high-stakes missions, including Operations Deliberate Forge and Iraqi Freedom.

But her story doesn’t end there. As the first woman to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, a White House Fellow, and a key advisor on military and veterans' issues, Nicole’s career has been defined by leadership at the highest levels. After being medically retired due to a Tick-Borne Illness, she turned her focus to advocacy, leading efforts to improve care for the wounded, ill, and injured service members through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.

Now a passionate advocate for Tick-Borne Disease research, Nicole serves on several national committees and advisory boards, including the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.

 

NICOLE'S LEADERHIP BITES

• "Leadership is a journey."


• "The runway behind you is always unusable."


• "Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader."


• "Believe those who believe in you."


• "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life."


• "Courage, compassion, and curiosity drive me today."


• "It's okay to admit when you make mistakes."

 

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TAKEAWAYS

1. 
   

   Leadership is personal - It's about understanding what motivates and drives each individual on your team, and tailoring your approach accordingly.

   
   


2. 
   

   Believe in those who believe in you - Mentors like Mick Jaggers who supported and encouraged Nicole were pivotal in her development as a leader.

   
   


3. 
   

   Don't write yourself or others out of the script - As General Matthews told Nicole, "Nobody wants to lead a scripted life." Embrace opportunities to dream big and take risks.

   
   


4. 
   

   Radical acceptance is key - When Nicole's military career ended unexpectedly, learning to accept the situation allowed her to move forward and find new purpose.

   
   


5. 
   

   Personal values guide your path - Nicole's core values of courage, compassion and curiosity have been instrumental in navigating life's challenges and reinventing herself.

   
   

 

CHAPTERS

00:00  The Journey of Leadership
02:01  Colonel Malachowski's Early Life and Aspirations
06:01  Navigating the Air Force Academy
09:46  Leadership Lessons from Soaring
14:07  Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training
17:50  Key Leadership Experiences in the Air Force
21:59  Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot
25:47  Transitioning to Civilian Life
30:02  Advocacy and New Beginnings
34:09  Personal Values and Resilience
37:54  Final Thoughts on Leadership

 

NICOLE'S KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

• Leadership is a journey that requires growth and learning.


• It's okay to admit mistakes and seek help.


• Resilience is key to overcoming challenges.


• Personal values guide decision-making and actions.


• Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.


• Failure is often the price of entry for success.


• Authentic leadership is about understanding and connecting with people.


• The importance of representation in leadership roles.


• Transitioning to civilian life can be a new beginning.


• Embrace opportunities and seize the moment.

 

ABOUT NICOLE

BIO

Colonel Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) is a pioneering leader whose distinguished career spans combat aviation, military advocacy, and public service. As one of the first women to fly fighter jets, Nicole’s journey included over 188 combat hours and multiple leadership roles, including F-15E Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Lead. She also made history as the first woman to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds.

Throughout her career, Nicole demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving in high-level roles such as a White House Fellow and Executive Director of the ‘Joining Forces’ program, where she advised the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden on veterans' issues.

After being medically retired due to a neurological Tick-Borne Illness, Nicole transitioned to a new mission: advocating for service members, veterans, and others impacted by chronic illnesses. She’s a leader in the national Tick-Borne Disease community, serving on key advisory boards and government committees, and actively mentoring wounded veterans through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.

Nicole is also a sought-after speaker, author, and consultant, sharing her experiences of overcoming adversity and breaking barriers to inspire the next generation of leaders. Her accomplishments include two master's degrees, induction into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame, and founding her own speaking and consulting firm.

Today, Nicole continues to serve and lead, using her story to drive change and impact communities across the country.

 - Adapted from Col. Malachowski's bio at nicholemalachowski.com

 

READ NICOLE'S FULL STORY HERE

 

 

CONNECT WITH NICOLE

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ABRIDGED AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

DOWNLOAD THE UNABRIDGED VIDEO TRANSCRIPT HERE 

SPEAKERS

GUEST:  Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96  |  HOST:  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99

 

SPEAKERS

Naviere Walkewicz, Nicole Malachowski

 

Nicole Malachowski  00:11

You know, leadership is a journey. We're always put into positions that we're supposed to grow into. Don't think you have to be perfect to be a leader. It's okay to admit when you make mistakes, it's okay to ask for help, and it's okay to have failures, as long as you overcome them. And I like to remind folks at all levels of leadership, you know that the runway behind you is always unusable. All you ever have is the runway that's in front of you.

 

Naviere Walkewicz  00:34

My guest today is Colonel Retired Nicole Malachowski, USAFA class of ’96. Her career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Colonel Malachowski is perhaps best known as the first woman to fly as a pilot with the Thunderbirds, a singular distinction that set her path to reaching even greater heights. However, what you might not know is that her journey took an unexpected turn when she faced a sudden life altering loss of her place in the Air Force. The challenges that followed were extreme and personal, but through them, Colonel malikowski demonstrated a resilience and strength that not only trans