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Keynote SpeakerEmma Henderson MBE

Multi-award-winning Professional Speaker, Author, Airline Captain, Founder and CEO of Project Wingman Foundation Ltd.

How would it feel if you could transform your organisation’s leadership culture, navigate change with confidence, and build high-performing teams that thrive under pressure? Emma Henderson MBE, a trailblazing aviation leader and inspirational speaker, offers powerful insights to solve these critical challenges through her expertise in Grounded Leadership. As one... Read more

Topics

Popular Talks

Bomb-proof Resilience: You Have Control - So Take It!
Doing Less, Well: The Art of Effective Delegation
From Airbus to Carebus: My Journey Through Aviation and Beyond
How Big Is Your Bucket?: Understanding Leadership Capacity
Brave and Inspirational Leadership

More talks

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Biography

As one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide, Emma brings over three decades of aviation experience to the speaking stage. Her unique journey from commanding aircraft at 37,000 feet to founding the acclaimed Project Wingman during a global crisis equips her with unparalleled insights into leadership, resilience, and innovation.

Grounded Leadership: The Key to Success in 2025 and Beyond. Emma’s Grounded Leadership approach, rooted in humanity, humility, and humour, provides a powerful framework for leaders navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape.

Emma Henderson doesn’t just share stories; she equips audiences with practical tools they can implement immediately. Drawing from her personal experiences of overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry, Emma offers valuable lessons that resonate across industries and hierarchies.

Emma’s dynamic speaking engagements blend gripping stories from the flight deck with cutting-edge leadership insights, delivering an unforgettable learning experience. Her “captain’s mindset” approach demonstrates how aviation-inspired strategies can be applied to any field, enabling leaders and teams to make swift decisions, adapt to rapid changes, and achieve the seemingly impossible.

"Emma's story perfectly reflects the genuine and inspirational person that she is. Told in a refreshingly transparent and humorous way, from take off to landing she captivated our global audience with a warmth and drive that clearly resonated with all. A special person who makes a big difference." Darren Porter FRAeS, Managing Director - Global Aviation & Space, WTW

"I cannot recommend Emma enough for your speaking events. She has worked with me twice now and I have been massively impressed by her professionalism, calmness, clarity of thought, humility and gentle humour. She consistently goes well above and beyond the brief and the members of my audience love her to bits. If you are thinking of someone to delight your audience, you must speak to Emma Henderson." Paul Tizzard, LoveFly

"Emma shared her experience and insights with us in an engaging and compelling manner. Thoughtful, yet also inspirational, she made a profound impact on all those she engaged with during her time with us at the University. I ca nnot recommend her highly enough." Sir David Bell KCB DL, Sunderland VC & CE

"Emma is an incredibly talented leader and her natural storytelling ability is absolutely inspiring - mesmerising audiences she engages with. I could listen to Emma speak all day long. A wonderful talent." Dr Noel Dennis, Associate Dean, TUBS

"Emma's incredible story provided a unique perspective into change-readiness and the importance of self-belief when dealing with adversity... hers is a challenging and inspirational message that anything is possible if you practice gratitude and care in all things, make time for yourself, and always look to learn. A true leader in all she does." Josh Winfield, Regional Enterprise Manager, NatWest Group

"Hearing her remarkable story, delegates were delighted by Emma's authentic, passionate and humorous perspective of her career. Those attending learnt about humility in leadership, resilience in the face of challenges and altruism borne out of necessity. Emma clearly demonstrates how people can take their passions and dreams to the next level." Tea Coliani, WiHTL

"Emma spoke to our Y13s at the start of the academic year and her message was spot on! At a time in their lives when the need to be resilient and to persevere is so crucial, her inspiring and moving life lessons truly struck a chord and left our students feeling motivated to face the challenges of their final year of school." Mel James, Gordonstoun

"Thank you for sharing your very inspiring story with us. I appreciated the level of self-disclosure you gave in highlighting the challenges you have faced in your personal & your professional life and your honesty in how you faced them. I loved the message that it is ok to fail and how this develops your perspective as a leader and keeps you grounded." Arlene McCrorie, Local Director, RBS

"Your talk was engaging, encouraging, witty, and we were all delighted to leave with so much enthusiasm." Regina Rodriguez, St Albans Chamber of Commerce

Popular Talks by Emma Henderson MBE

Bomb-proof Resilience: You Have Control - So Take It!
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders often find themselves navigating through turbulent skies of uncertainty. The ability to make confident decisions and maintain control, even when faced with incomplete information or unexpected challenges, is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck. Just as a...

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders often find themselves navigating through turbulent skies of uncertainty. The ability to make confident decisions and maintain control, even when faced with incomplete information or unexpected challenges, is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck. Just as a pilot must remain in command during all phases of flight, modern leaders must take control of their decision-making processes to guide their organisations through times of change and uncertainty.
Doing Less, Well: The Art of Effective Delegation
The pressure to “do it all” and be “all things to all people” can be overwhelming. However, true leadership excellence often lies not in trying to accomplish everything yourself, but in focusing on what truly matters and empowering others through effective delegation. Just as a captain must trust their flight...

The pressure to “do it all” and be “all things to all people” can be overwhelming. However, true leadership excellence often lies not in trying to accomplish everything yourself, but in focusing on what truly matters and empowering others through effective delegation. Just as a captain must trust their flight crew to perform their roles effectively, modern leaders must master the art of delegation to unlock their team’s full potential and drive organisational success.
From Airbus to Carebus: My Journey Through Aviation and Beyond
Career paths are rarely linear, and personal dreams often take unexpected turns. The ability to adapt, persevere, and find purpose in the face of challenges is crucial for both professional success and personal fulfilment. Just as an aircraft must navigate through changing weather patterns and unexpected turbulence, individuals must be...

Career paths are rarely linear, and personal dreams often take unexpected turns. The ability to adapt, persevere, and find purpose in the face of challenges is crucial for both professional success and personal fulfilment. Just as an aircraft must navigate through changing weather patterns and unexpected turbulence, individuals must be prepared to adjust their course, overcome obstacles, and embrace new opportunities—even when they deviate from the original flight plan.
How Big Is Your Bucket?: Understanding Leadership Capacity
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions and guiding teams; it’s about maintaining and managing your energy—both to carry out your own tasks and to inspire and empower others. In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders often find themselves depleted, struggling to balance their own responsibilities while providing the guidance and support...

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions and guiding teams; it’s about maintaining and managing your energy—both to carry out your own tasks and to inspire and empower others. In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders often find themselves depleted, struggling to balance their own responsibilities while providing the guidance and support their teams need. The ability to recognise, replenish, and effectively manage your leadership energy is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck of an airliner.
Brave and Inspirational Leadership
In an era of rapid change and uncertainty, the ability to inspire and lead with courage is more crucial than ever. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions or setting goals—it’s about inspiring others to believe in a vision and follow you on the journey to achieve it. Just as...

In an era of rapid change and uncertainty, the ability to inspire and lead with courage is more crucial than ever. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions or setting goals—it’s about inspiring others to believe in a vision and follow you on the journey to achieve it. Just as a captain must instil confidence in their crew and passengers even in turbulent conditions, modern leaders must learn to inspire trust, motivation, and commitment in their teams, especially during challenging times, and Emma speaks not only from the experience of leading her crew every day in the air, but also from setting up a national charity in 3 weeks, with 6500 volunteers nationwide.
Overcoming Adversity: Reframing Challenges as Opportunities
Facing adversity is not a matter of if, but when. The ability to reframe challenges as opportunities and maintain a growth mindset is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck. Just as a pilot must navigate through unexpected turbulence or technical issues, modern leaders and...

Facing adversity is not a matter of if, but when. The ability to reframe challenges as opportunities and maintain a growth mindset is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck. Just as a pilot must navigate through unexpected turbulence or technical issues, modern leaders and professionals must learn to view obstacles not as barriers, but as chances for growth, innovation, and refinement.
Performing Under Pressure - Leading with Composure at 30,000 Feet
Leadership isn’t just about guiding teams on a clear day; it’s about maintaining composure and direction when turbulence hits. In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders face constant pressure to perform, make critical decisions, and inspire their teams—often while navigating through unforeseen challenges. The ability to project calm confidence and maintain...

Leadership isn’t just about guiding teams on a clear day; it’s about maintaining composure and direction when turbulence hits. In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders face constant pressure to perform, make critical decisions, and inspire their teams—often while navigating through unforeseen challenges. The ability to project calm confidence and maintain a professional demeanour, even when faced with internal doubts or external pressures, is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the cockpit.
Teamwork - Making the Dream Work
In today’s complex business environment, success is rarely achieved by individuals working in isolation. Just as a commercial airliner requires a well-coordinated crew to navigate safely through the skies, modern organisations need cohesive teams to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. The ability to foster effective teamwork and create high-performance crews...

In today’s complex business environment, success is rarely achieved by individuals working in isolation. Just as a commercial airliner requires a well-coordinated crew to navigate safely through the skies, modern organisations need cohesive teams to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. The ability to foster effective teamwork and create high-performance crews is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck.
Split-Second Decisions: Mastering the Art of Rapid Decision-Making
The ability to make sound decisions quickly is often the difference between success and failure. Just as a pilot must make split-second choices that can affect the safety of hundreds of passengers, modern leaders must be prepared to make rapid decisions that can impact the future of their entire organisation....

The ability to make sound decisions quickly is often the difference between success and failure. Just as a pilot must make split-second choices that can affect the safety of hundreds of passengers, modern leaders must be prepared to make rapid decisions that can impact the future of their entire organisation. The art of swift, effective decision-making is as crucial in the boardroom as it is in the flight deck.
Understanding the Bigger Picture: Balancing Work and Wellbeing
In today’s high-pressure business environment, the pursuit of success often comes at the cost of personal wellbeing. However, true leadership excellence requires a holistic approach that balances professional achievements with personal health and fulfilment. Just as a captain must consider not only the destination but also the wellbeing of the...

In today’s high-pressure business environment, the pursuit of success often comes at the cost of personal wellbeing. However, true leadership excellence requires a holistic approach that balances professional achievements with personal health and fulfilment. Just as a captain must consider not only the destination but also the wellbeing of the crew and passengers, modern leaders must learn to view success through a wider lens that encompasses both work performance and personal wellness.