From The Archives: Carey Lohrenz

In this episode of the GDA Podcast, Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, to explore what her experience operating in high-pressure environments can teach us about leadership, courage, and high performance.

Carey shares lessons from the demanding path to becoming a Naval Aviator and explains how those principles translate to today's workplace. From planning and adapting to taking action before everything is perfect, she explores how leaders can help their teams navigate uncertainty, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward when there is no guaranteed path to success.

Key topics include:

• Carey’s journey to becoming the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy
• Why you sometimes have to raise your hand before you feel completely ready
• Using planning, briefing, execution, and debriefing to help teams adapt quickly
• Why “80% is good enough” when progress matters more than perfection
• Learning from failure, controlling what you can control, and continuing to move forward
• Staying curious, avoiding complacency, and continually working toward excellence

Carey’s message is a reminder that fearless leadership doesn't mean eliminating fear. It means being willing to pursue difficult goals, prepare for uncertainty, and take action even when you don't have every answer.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Carey Lohrenz to your next event.