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Merryl Tengesdal

First African-American Woman USAF U-2 Pilot, Author of "Shatter the Sky" & STEM Advocate

First African-American Woman USAF U-2 Pilot, Author of "Shatter the Sky" & STEM Advocate

Travels From Travels From:
Roseville, CA, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
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Merryl Tengesdal Biography

Groundbreaking aviator, author, and retired Colonel Merryl Tengesdal made history as the first and only African American woman USAF U-2 Pilot. For over two decades, Tengesdal served as a Naval Aviator and Air Force Combat Pilot, deploying worldwide in support of combat and military operations and piloting the “Dragon Lady” high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. She has extensive command and senior leadership experience, most recently serving as the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General overseeing a program for 860K Airmen, and was the first woman selected to be Commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Detachment 2, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar testing program. Tengesdal’s remarkable journey is chronicled in her memoir, Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline, and her riveting storytelling leaves audiences feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to reach new heights.

Tengesdal starred on CBS’ "Tough as Nails," promoting increased minority involvement in the Trades. She has also appeared as a commentator on PBS’ "UNLADYLIKE2020: The Bessie Coleman Story," as a technical consultant on "Bridge of Spies," and as a featured contributor for Smithsonian Channel’s "Air Warrior." Tengesdal was inducted into the 2019 Gathering of Eagles Foundation as an aviation pioneer and is a dedicated advocate for increasing women and children of color in STEM.

In sought-after events with groups like Lockheed Martin, Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence, the Transportation Leadership Forum, and more, Tengesdal shares her experiences and insights on leadership as a woman and person of color in spaces where women and people of color are underrepresented, maximizing physical and mental health, and applying military leadership to business enterprises and everyday life.

Merryl Tengesdal Videos

  • Shatter the Sky: Women in Military Aviation
    Celebrate International Women in Aviation and Women’s History Month on March 12, 2022! Discover and explore the stories of women who took to the...
  • Former U2 Pilot Col.(Ret.) Merryl Tengesdal Interview at NMUSAF 2020
    Former U2 Pilot Col.(Ret.) Merryl Tengesdal Interview at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force March 2020. Tengesdal (born 1971) is the first...

Merryl Tengesdal Books

  • Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline
    Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline

Speaker Lists Featuring Merryl Tengesdal

FAQs on booking Merryl Tengesdal

  • How do I book Merryl Tengesdal to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Merryl Tengesdal for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Merryl Tengesdal, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Merryl Tengesdal or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Merryl Tengesdal

    Speaking fees for Merryl Tengesdal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Merryl Tengesdal are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Merryl Tengesdal, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Merryl Tengesdal speak about?

    Merryl Tengesdal is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Black Heritage, Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership, Military, Motivational, Veterans.
  • Where does Merryl Tengesdal travel from?

    Merryl Tengesdal generally travels from Roseville, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Merryl Tengesdal’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Merryl Tengesdal for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Merryl Tengesdal for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Merryl Tengesdal or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Merryl Tengesdal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Merryl Tengesdal for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Merryl Tengesdal generally travels from Roseville, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shannon Huffman Polson, Brent Gleeson, Cady Coleman, Carey Lohrenz and Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Merryl Tengesdal for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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