Michelle Howard

Michelle Howard, a trailblazing leader and speaker on racial equality, currently serves as the J.B. & Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of International Affairs at George Washington University. She is also the Chair of the Commission on the Naming Commission, where she has led efforts to confront historical inequities in military symbolism and culture. Michelle’s lived experiences as a Black woman navigating and excelling in the highest levels of the US military profoundly inform her work as a racial equality speaker. Her speaking engagements often centre around topics such as leadership in adversity, racial and gender equity in institutions, dismantling systemic bias, and the power of representation.

Michelle’s path to prominence began with a historic milestone in 1999, when she became the first African American woman to command a United States naval ship. This landmark achievement marked the start of a distinguished naval career, during which she consistently broke barriers. In 2009, she was instrumental in the high-profile rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates, a pivotal moment that underscored her leadership in crisis. Her rapid ascent continued, culminating in her appointment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations in 2014, making her the first woman in US history to be promoted to four-star admiral. Her final active duty post was as Commander of US Naval Forces and Allied Joint Forces in 2016.

Michelle’s impact has been recognised with numerous accolades. In 2017, she was honoured at the Distinguished Leadership Awards by the Atlantic Council, celebrating her contributions to international security and leadership. Her commitment to peace and equity is further evidenced by her role as a member of both the US Institute of Peace’s Senior Military Advisory Group and the Women Building Peace Council, where she lends her voice and insight to global peace-building initiatives and gender equality in conflict resolution.

As a speaker, Michelle brings a powerful blend of lived experience, strategic leadership, and academic insight. She speaks with authority on topics such as racial justice in military and civilian institutions, inclusive leadership, and breaking glass ceilings. Her focus on racial equality is not only rooted in her personal journey but reinforced by a career marked by challenging norms and championing change. Michelle is hired because she offers more than insight—she offers inspiration, credibility, and a call to action grounded in a life of service and courage.