Heather “Lucky” PennEy
“Heather ‘Lucky’ Penny transports her audience into the cockpit of her F-16 as they enter the mind of a fighter pilot responding to the events of 9/11. Heather’s deeply personal storytelling reflects the intensity of responding in the moment, while masterfully transitioning to the daily challenges and opportunities each of us face. Her story is inspirational and relatable at the same time. It comes down to knowing your beliefs, trusting your team and living your dream. If Heather is sharing her story, you want to gather your friends, and be there.”
-- Patricia Richard - Chief of Staff / Chief Diversity Officer - University of Nevada, Reno
Speaking Topics
9/11: Cultivating the Hero Within
Building a Mission-Purposed Culture
Mission Clarity: Leading into an Uncertain Future
Travels From: The DC Area
Bio
Most widely recognized for her service on September 11, Heather “Lucky” Penney is a renowned speaker on topics ranging from personal courage; decision-making under stress; leadership; organizational transformation; inclusivity; high performance teams; national defense issues; and aviation. Heather was part of the first wave of women who went directly into fighters from pilot training. She grew up around aviation and warbirds, and learned that Congress had opened combat aviation to women while she was earning her Master of Arts at Purdue University where she stood up the first collegiate team to race in the Air Race Classic. She applied to the Air National Guard and earned her wings at ENJJPT, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, where she flew the T-37 and T-38. The first and only woman in the 121st Fighter Squadron, Heather deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom for initial combat operations as a night-time SCUD Hunter in the western deserts of Iraq, also supporting Special Operations Forces. She flew the F-16 for ten years before having to make the difficult decision to leave the fighter aviation as a single mother.
She continued to serve, flying the Gulfstream G-100 Astra jet for another six years in the VIP Special Airlift Mission. For over ten years, Heather was a Director of various Air Force programs for Lockheed Martin, specializing in capture management, government relations, and strategic business development. Her portfolio included the F-22, the F-16, F-35 training, and the Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training competition to replace the T-38.
She now is a Senior Resident Fellow for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies at the Air Force Association, where she researches and advises on defense policy issues related to airpower and the Air Force. She is a Director of the Board for the Experimental Aviation Association; is a regular lecturer at the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School; and is the Beideman Visiting Scholar at the Oskin Leadership Institute for Weideman University. Heather’s passion for aviation has never faded – she has flown her Taylorcraft BC-12 coast-to-coast, owned several vintage aircraft, and raced jets at the Reno Air Races; she has over 3,300 hours with Commercial, CFII/MEI, and ATP ratings; and she volunteers with the Collings Foundation, copiloting their B-17 when her busy schedule allows her to get away.
She enjoys flying her WWII Army Air Forces PT-13 Stearman and 1950 Cessna 170A with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog, Gilmore (named after Roscoe’s lion). When she isn’t in the air, you can usually find her with her family, camping and hiking in a National Park.