215: To Infinity & Beyond | Kelly Latimer

Kelly Latimer is no ordinary pilot. A former NASA, Virgin Galactic, and Boeing test pilot—and a combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan—Kelly has spent her career navigating high-stakes environments, from military command to the outer edges of space. As Virgin Galactic’s first female test pilot, she stepped into the role after the tragic VSS Enterprise crash in 2014, helping push the boundaries of space travel and human potential. In this episode, Kelly takes us inside the world of test piloting—where every flight is an experiment, every decision carries immense weight, and leadership is as much about precision as it is about people. From flying massive military jets to hand-flying a spaceplane at 55 miles above Earth, Kelly shares what it takes to lead under extreme pressure. Key Leadership Lessons: 🚀 Leading vs. Being in Charge – A powerful lesson from candid feedback mid-mission reshaped Kelly’s approach to leadership. 💡 Human-Centered Leadership – How she balanced authority with empathy, leading a 700+ person squadron with a focus on deep understanding and communication. 🔥 Navigating High-Stakes Performance – In a world where failure is not an option, Kelly learned that addressing poor performance isn’t just about accountability—it’s about protecting the team. 🌍 Being a Role Model – As a trailblazing female pilot in a male-dominated field, Kelly embraced the responsibility of inspiring the next generation—while staying true to herself. Kelly’s story is one of courage, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. In her final reflections, she reveals the one leadership principle that shaped her extraordinary career: the power of care. This is leadership—tested at Mach speeds. Don’t miss it.