Aerospace and Defense
Inspiring Emerging Leaders with Courage, Clarity and the Power of Choice
Help your teams lead with courage, clarity, and conviction—without losing their humanity in the pursuit of perfection.
Charlene Wheeless is a transformational aerospace and defense keynote speaker with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the industry, including serving as site manager of a 700,000+ sq ft. secure manufacturing facility specializing in C3I. She brings radical honesty, emotional intelligence, and lived experience to every stage.
Through her CAP Framework—Claim, Activate, Practice— Charlene empowers leaders to choose courage over comfort, authenticity over armor, and presence over performance—especially in high-stakes, mission-critical environments.
Having spent decades inside organizations where precision and accountability define success, Charlene understands the tension between discipline and humanity. Her story-driven keynotes inspire leaders to reclaim agency, foster trust across silos, and lead with clarity and courage when the stakes are highest—driving stronger teams, safer decisions, and mission-aligned results.
Perfect for: leadership summits, offsites, and professional development programs within aerospace, defense, and government organizations seeking a keynote that connects human leadership to mission excellence.
Aerospace and defense organizations bring Charlene in when they need a self-leadership and resiliency keynote speaker who connects the head and the heart—helping leaders rediscover purpose, courage, and authenticity.
Testimonials
“Charlene understands the weight of leadership in mission-critical environments. Her message was precise, powerful, and personal.” —-Defense Exec
“In a culture of structure and silence, she gave us permission to speak—and lead—with truth.” —-Defense Exec
